Rational: Young children need to develop the ability to ask questions. Asking questions while reading will improve a child’s reading comprehension and memory.
Materials: The Borrowers by Mary Norton, Random House, 1988, paper, pencils, chalk and chalkboard, A New Day (multiple copies), Silver Burdett and Ginn, 1989
Procedure:
1. " Today class, we are going to learn a strategy to help us
become better readers." "The strategy is called question generation."
2. " Before we begin, I want to review something we learned last week."
" Remember silent reading is when you read to yourself without moving your
lips." I will demonstrate this to the children to activate their
prior knowledge. " I want you to practice your silent reading by
reading the back cover of the borrowers." "Good, lets move on."
3."Ok, lets talk about asking questions." "I have a book called
The Borrowers and I am going to read what it is about on the back side."
"As I am reading, I am going to ask out loud some questions that come to
my mind." [Teacher reads the following: Only pod is allowed
to venture into the house above, because the danger being seen by a human
is too great.] "What is a pod? Why is it too dangerous?
Why can’t they be seen by a human?" "I read only a few sentences
and I have so many questions." It is important when you ask questions that
they cover important information and bring the story together.All
your questions should be answered.My
questions are important because it is information I do not know and it
is important to the story. "This skill is so important because it will
help you understand better what you are reading and it will improve your
memory." "I want you to try it." [Talking to the whole
class] "I want you to read the first page of the Borrowers, come
up with some questions and then raise your hand." The teacher will
write the questions on the board when they raise their hand. "Okay,
great questions!" Those questions were great because they are bringing
the story together.
4. For practice I would have the students read the next page and write
their question down on a piece of paper. I would have them pair up
and ask each other the questions.
5.Assessment:Students will read a passage from A New Day and make up a quiz.
Reference: Pressley, Michael. Strategies That Improve
Children’s Memory and Comprehension of Text. The Elementary School
Journal Volume 90, number 1. 1989.The
Reading Genie
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