WEST SIDE HIGH SCHOOLReading Comprehension Goal

Dinah Gieske, AUSSIEApril 12, 2010

READING COMPREHENSION

Understanding Instructions

OUR GOAL:

Students will be able to comprehend instructions in order to complete tasks correctly.

WHAT READING STRATEGIES DO YOU USE TO COMPREHEND THESE INSTRUCTIONS? First, transfer all the parts from the plan to wood.  We

used the lacquer thinner method.  Then cut all the parts out with a sharp x-acto or single-edged razor.  Start building the wing first.  Glue the ribs with CA glue to the underside of the sheet balsa wing half, one rib at a time.  Notice that the ribs cause the wing to curve into a nice airfoil shape.  When each half is finished, block up the tips to the height indicated on the plan.  Sand the inner wing ends so that the joint will be clean and strong.  Glue with slow setting glue. Tackle the tail next.  Glue the end pieces onto the rudder and elevator. Join the elevator halves with wire.  Next hinge the control surfaces with scrap copper wire.  2-3 hinges per surface will work.  Just a drop of CA on each end of the wire, and hold in place for a few seconds with a pin or similar.  This will be a stiff hinge (RC version will be free moving).

CONTINUUM OF READERS

We want our students to be Independent Strategic Readers.

THREE COMPREHENSION STRATEGIES SPECIFICALLY FOR INSTRUCTIONS

Summarizing Visualizing Inferring

SUMMARIZING

Delete, Generalize, Construct Verbal re-tell 8 word summaries Many other strategies

VISUALIZING

Creating pictures in your head Making text to self connections Accessing prior knowledge

INFERRING

Making text to self connections Visualizing Activating prior knowledge

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO SUCCEED WITH THESE STRATEGIES?

Explicit instruction Practice

WHAT DOESN’T WORK

Telling students what the instructions mean without teaching them strategies to comprehend the instructions independently

Not teaching students how to practice comprehending the instructions

Not teaching students specific reading comprehension strategies to use when reading instructions

Not teaching students how to use strategies to help them understand unfamiliar words or phrases

Not allowing time for students to independently practice using reading strategies to comprehend instructions

PRACTICE

Choose summarizing, visualizing or inferring to comprehend what this Regents Math problem is asking you to do.