Query: What do I do if my student struggles with reading comprehension?
Is your student new to Mason? Has he/she narrated in previous grades? If they haven't narrated before, then it will take much longer to build those skills and habits.
If your student has been 'doing' Mason for years, then it could be an issue of interest and curiosity. Do they already know too much of the grade-level material and need more of a challenge? Do they not know enough and need to build some background in his/her grade level? Sometimes it can even just take a good introductory video or graphic novel to stimulate interest.
If you suspect that your student does actually have the interest and it's a matter of retrieval or processing, then it can help to encourage them to externalize while they are reading - whether that's jotting down names, sketching a map, or doodling a timeline. Another option would be to encourage them to look at an image from the reading to jog their memory. Sometimes the big picture is tied to a map or diagram and just glimpsing that image will enable a student to bring it to mind. Processing the material differently can also help. Outlining the chapter will often bring all sorts of details flowing out. Jotting down or doodling 'big' ideas onto index cards or PowerPoint slides that they can then move around and put in order is a great way to train students to organize what's in their minds. Using graphic organizers that are less linear can be helpful for some learners.
Experiment with a lot of different strategies and allow the learner to discover what works best for them!
Notes
- Office Hours: Here is the link to the recording of this week’s office hours discussing Syllabird.
- Book Sale: Yesterday's Classics will be having a 30% off sale on all print books throughout the month of October.
- Alveary Weekly: Our weekly newsletter is meant to keep you informed on any important updates or news. If you missed one or need to reference it again you can find them in the “Resources” section of the website or here in the Hive.
- Alveary Planning Guide: If you haven’t seen it yet, we are beta testing a new Alveary Planning Guide. We invite you to view the full guide here and give us your thoughts.
- Blog: Be sure to check out our blog each Thursday for our eight-part Blue Orchard Bee series on reading instruction. You can check out the first post of the series here.
