Digging Deeper: Developing Comprehension Using Thank You, Mr. Falker

Overview

From Theory to Practice

OVERVIEW

Good readers demonstrate comprehension of text using a wide variety of strategies. Making personal connections to stories is one way to develop deeper understanding of both character and theme. This teacher read-aloud of Thank You, Mr. Falker and follow-up whole-group instruction provide a basis for improved higher-level reading comprehension. The teacher works with the whole class to model making predictions and personal connections, envisioning character change, and understanding the themes of the book. Response journals can also be used to further student connections to the characters and themes in the book.

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FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

Barton, J. & Sawyer, D.M. (2003). Our students are ready for this: Comprehension instruction in the elementary school. The Reading Teacher, 57(4), 334–347.

• Comprehension is a complex process, and no single instructional method is effective for all texts in all learning situations.
  
  
• The act of making personal connections aids comprehension through schema activation or connecting what readers already know about a given topic with new information presented in the text.
  
  
• Without response in some form (e.g., oral, written, creative), comprehension is rarely deepened.
  
  
• Direct instruction in reading strategies is a prerequisite for awareness of the comprehension process.

   

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