As an English teacher and soon to be librarian, I’m always getting questions from parents on how to increase their child’s reading comprehension. There are several things I do in class to ensure comprehension while reading including a few games, discussion questions, and (of course) the ever loved study guide.
You could spend hundreds of dollars on fun comprehension games (for all ages!) but really, the only thing that is going to get your child or your student understanding what their reading (and not feeling like extra work), is to be actually reading. Take them to Barnes and Noble or your favorite indie bookstore and buy them a book of their choice – not yours. Do some research and find books that they won’t be able to put down, show them some book trailers via youtube, give them an incentive (“Read the book first then we’ll go to the movie together”), then give them time to read. If your child/student is one of the many to have recently read “The Hunger Games” and love it – find a book similar!
Right now dystopia fiction is definitely hot but there are loads of other resources to find the perfect book for your child/student including Goodreads, Shelfari, Twitter, and other book blogs. Finding the perfect book has never been so easy. I firmly believe that once you find the perfect book, wanting to read will do all rest.
Really folks, that’s all there is to it! By reading, actually reading, not only will your students and your children improve their vocabulary but their comprehension and fluency as well! Like all other things in life, it just takes practice. You can provide game after game, strategy after strategy, but nothing works better than practice.
If you are struggling to find the perfect book out there for your struggling reader, ask a librarian, teacher, book seller, or even me! I’m always a tweet or an email away and available to help. I truly believe that everyone is capable of being a passionate reader and it only takes one great book to make it happen. Let me help you find that perfect book.