While reading Tompkins Reading Stages, I couldn’t believe how detailed each stage was and how descriptive the entire process was. Tompkins stated, “Reading is a process in which readers comprehend and construct meaning.” This shows how important it is to take away an understanding of the text after reading it. A lot of children struggle with comprehension and with as many stages as there are, I can understand why. It’s easy for me to comprehend texts because I’m at a higher level and don’t have to focus as much on vocabulary or pronouncing the words correctly. I can focus my attention on what I’m getting out of the story and what exactly is taking place.
The Kindergartners in my placement are constantly being read short stories. The CT always asks them questions during the story to see if they’re following along and paying attention. She’ll also ask them questions to engage them and keep them interested in what’s being read to them. At the end of the story she will go over the main points of the book and ask questions. She also relates the text to their own lives for them to gain a better understanding, which I think is very important. I think overall my CT does a great job tying in comprehension strategies for the children to utilize. This helps them better understand the text read to them.
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I can see the experiences you are having in Kindergarten are helping you to understand how important comprehension is to every learner. Your students may not be reading on their own, but they are comprehending and understanding the text.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with you about the comment that you don't have to think so much to comprehend because you are an automatic reader--you don't have to stress so much about the decoding of words or understanding vocabulary. This plays an important role in comprehension--if we can be automatic and fluent, we can usually comprehend.