Reading Strategies

Last week we began to think about how people read, and asked this question:
"What do smart readers do?"  This lead to thinking about the strategies readers use as they read to help themselves understand.  We are currently directing our attention to two very effective reading strategies;

1. Prediction
2. Visualising

Prediction occurs at a number of levels; readers think about the topic of a book as they look at the title or illustrations, and  as they read they predict what is likely to occur by drawing on their own experiences and knowledge.  They also predict the words, using their knoweldge of usual grammar and sentence structure.  This helps readers approach unfamiliar words, which they attack using their knowledge of sound and letter patterns. 

Visualising is like 'running a movie in your head' as one student commented on Friday! You pay attention to the details, and construct an image of the action, the setting or the characters as the author reveals them. 

You can really help your children by asking them to predict what might happen when they first look at the front cover,  as well as during the reading.  Stop sometimes, especially if they seem to be having difficulty understanding the story, and re-read a section to them, asking them to close their eyes and make a picture as you read to them.  Then ask them what they think happened... it often really helps them to clarify a complex situation! Then they will return to reading with understanding, rather than continue being confused.  Don't hesitate to draw certain details to their attention in the text if they have missed something important.  Smart readers really use the text! 
Last Friday, Janette ran a workshop that further developed the idea of visualising.  The children selected a story from a big book of Aesop's fables, which Janette then read to them, pausing to give them time to draw 'the action' of the story.  The results were beautiful and reflected the discussion that happened as we read the story...the children really paid attention to the details!  Here is Daniel's little book with a summary of the story to help everyone remember "The Dog and His Bone"...The Dog and His Bone by Daniel on PhotoPeach
The Dog and His Bone by Daniel on PhotoPeach
All the children made little booklets as they listened to the story, and put them in their bags to take home and share with their parents.  Have you seen your child's?  Ask them to re-tell the story to you!