[MOSAIC] Comprehension Instruction for Primary Grades

[Pam Cook]

I wonder if you are REQUIRED to use all the components of the basal program you are using?  If not, then why use them at all?  It sounds like you are doing good strategy instruction with having students going back into the text for answers.  You might try having them read the questions first.  
 
Basal programs have their good points, but everything included is not expected to be used.  They are merely offering suggestions and resources if needed.  I like the use of a running record and informal assessment at that age.
 
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________________________________

From: mosaic-bounces at literacyworkshop.org on behalf of Tracy Bottrill
Sent: Mon 3/5/2007 6:52 PM
To: mosaic at literacyworkshop.org
Subject: [MOSAIC] Comprehension Instruction for Primary Grades



I have been following this list-serv for about a month.  There has been a
lot of discussion on comprehension startegies, what works and what doesn't.
Many of the discussions were aimed at intermediate grade levels and higher. 
I'm looking for some help in a primary classroom.   I teach in an inner-city
first grade inclusion classroom.  While we teach comprehension startegies
such as retelling/summarizing and model question asking techniques about the
stroy structure.   Our students struggle when it comes to taking an
independent reading assessment in the reading series we use.  The reading
assessment usually consists of 3-4 stories followed by 5-6 comprehension
questions for each story.  I believe the majority of the problem is the
maturity level of first graders.  It's hard for most of them to focus on an
independent task to begin with.  What would be some techniques in
instructing them to be better test takers at this age?   I only allow them
to do one story per day, so that they won't feel overwhelmed. I stress the
importance of going back to the story and underlining their answer within
the story.   I hesistate to have them read aloud to an adult each time
because they might not have that support in the following years classroom. 
Help!  I know they are capable of doing better then they do on these
assessments.



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