The 5 W's
Rationale: Reading comprehension is an
important skill for students to master so that they can understand what
they
are reading. This lesson will help students to realize the
importance of
reading comprehension. Students will learn how to apply
comprehension
strategies so that they can understand and retain the information that
they are
reading. The comprehension strategies that I will teach the
students will
be the five W's: Who? What? When? Where?
and
Why?.
Materials:
pencils, paper, a copy of Skeleton Hiccups for each
student
Procedures:
1. Today we are going to learn about Reading Comprehension. When
we
read books it is important to understand and remember what we have
read, so
that we can apply our knowledge. You can do this by asking
yourself five
simple questions while you read. They are Who?, What?, When?,
Where?, and
Why?. Write ‘who, what, when, where, why’ on the classroom white board.
2. Review
silent reading. You can ask yourself
these five questions while you read silently to yourself, so that you
can
understand and remember what you are reading. Silent reading is
great
because you can read at your own pace.
It is also great because you can make sure that you comprehend
what you
are reading.
3. Read the
short story, Skeleton Hiccups , aloud with
students. Throughout the story
stop to discuss the five W's with the class. Explain to the
students that
by asking yourself these questions throughout the story you are
remembering
more of what you read. During discussion ask the students
questions such
as; Who are the main characters?, What is happening that is important
to
remember?, When is the story taking place?, Where is the story taking
place?,
and Why did specific events have importance?.
4. Pass out a
copy of Skeleton
Hiccups to each student. Instruct the students to read
silently to
themselves and answer the five W's on a sheet of paper while they are
reading.
Assessment:
Collect the student's paper to see if
they are comprehending what they are reading by seeing if they were
able to
right down the five W’s about the story.
Reference: www.auburn.edu/rdggenie/breakthroughs
Catherine
Kirsch “The 5 W’s of