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Science of Reading - Language Comprehension End of the Rope

Just as there has been a lot of debate and research on phonics, there has been equally as much research on how comprehension happens.  For many years, teachers have been told to teach one skill at a time with multiple books.  I know I have spent weeks on the main idea only to have them take an assessment and not get it at all? Anyone else? 





The truth is, the research shows that the opposite is true.  What are students are lacking is background knowledge and flexibility of verbal reasoning, not to mention VOCABULARY!!!   

People, we have been told the wrong information for years!!! 

So what should we do? 

I have just completed the second book of LETRS and let me tell you...it's a game-changer. 


What our kids need - 

  • Units of study around a central topic that connects ideas, concepts, and vocabulary while building background knowledge in science, social studies, the arts, or social-emotional skills. These units should take 2-3 weeks. 

  • Close Reading of Complex Text - listening to a teacher read aloud a text first while going back for second and third reads to dive deeper into what the text says, how the text works and what the text means. 

  • Explicit Vocabulary instruction

  • Analysis of sentence structures so we understand what the text says - you wouldn't believe how many sentences our students don't fully understand

  • Verbal Reasoning - higher-level thinking is important for ALL kids!

  • Literacy knowledge - teaching multiple strategies with one text or within a three-week unit

    • teaching strategies and skills

    • questioning

    • cooperative learning

    • written responses

    • visible thinking strategies

I can't wait to start this journey with you to look deeper at each part of language comprehension through lesson planning, resources, and more! 

Stay tuned!!!




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