Comprehension

(Now that summer is here, it is time for me to discuss different educational topics alphabetically. Please join in the conversation and tell me what you think!)

C is for Comprehension.

Comprehension is the ability to understand and interpret what is read. It is a complex skill that requires a number of different abilities, including:

• Decoding: The ability to read individual words accurately.
• Vocabulary: The ability to understand the meaning of words.
• Background knowledge: The ability to draw on prior knowledge to understand what is being read.
• Inference: The ability to make logical inferences from what is explicitly stated in the text.
• Critical thinking: The ability to evaluate the text and think about its implications.

Comprehension is not a fixed ability. It can be improved with practice. There are a number of things that parents and teachers can do to help children develop their comprehension skills, such as:

• Read to children every day. This exposes them to a variety of vocabulary and sentence structures and helps them develop a love of reading.
• Ask questions about what they have read. This helps children to think about the text and to make connections between what they have read and their own experiences.
• Provide opportunities for children to discuss what they have read with others. This helps them to articulate their understanding of the text and to learn from others.
• Help children to develop their vocabulary. This can be done by providing them with word lists, flashcards, and other resources.
• Encourage children to read independently. This gives them the opportunity to practice their comprehension skills and develop their own love of reading.

Here are some additional tips for improving comprehension:

• Preview the text: Before you start reading, take a few minutes to look at the title, headings, pictures, and other features. This will give you a general idea of what the text is about.
• Set a purpose for reading: Ask yourself why you are reading the text. Are you reading to learn something new, to be entertained, or to complete a task?
• Read actively: Don't just read the words on the page. Think about what the author is saying and how it relates to your own knowledge and experience.
• Take notes: This will help you to remember the important information in the text.
• Reread difficult passages: If you don't understand something, don't be afraid to reread it.
• Summarize the text: This will help you to check your understanding of the main points.
• Ask questions: If you have any questions about the text, don't hesitate to ask your teacher or another adult for help.

Comprehension is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Comprehension is an essential skill for success in school and in life. By providing children with the support they need to develop their comprehension skills, we can help them to become lifelong learners. 

Envelope Art

Recently I’ve taken to doodling using colored pencils, markers, and water color. My husband has been urging me to try something new like decorating postal envelopes. He is a collector of postal items and he collects a lot of envelopes that have been decorated.

So, finally, after thinking it over, I tried to think of why I didn’t do it. I was afraid it would look silly or that not turn out well. Then I realized that no one would know except me. What did I have to lose?

We bought an envelope maker that makes it easier to make envelopes. It does make life easier if I’m going to make several. I like how easy it is to use.

Then I had to experiment with different size envelopes. My first two envelopes are considered invitation size envelopes but now I’m ready to try standard envelopes. I’m also trying different types of paper to see if one size is easier to draw on then others.

My first attempt was with watercolors and markers. Using plain printer paper, it was hard to use watercolor and I probably won’t do that again.

My second attempt with the same paper went much better. I used markers and colored pencils. I liked how this turned out, so I will probably use them from now own.

All of my attempts had me thinking about how this can be used in the classroom. First, there is a lot of stuff on the internet about Envelope Art. I would show many examples and ask students which ones they like and why they like it. There is no right or wrong answer to this because different people have different tastes.

I would also decide on one size envelope that everyone would use. This would make it easier for everyone. I would show them how to make it with the envelope maker.

I thought this would be a great way to commemorate different holidays. I would have the students decide what they would draw on the envelope for specific holidays. I might even have a contest where people vote for them and a small prize is given. This would encourage to research the holiday or the specific person who is being honored. They would have to decide what is the best picture that focuses on something special about that holiday. It could be whimsical or serious. Students can use clip art for inspiration or make up their own pictures.

I think my students would really enjoy this lesson that involves research, reading, and comprehension and even measuring when making the envelope, Students would be learning and have fun at the same time. Success would be had by all!

Have you ever done envelope art? If so, please share.

Understanding

(Today’s post is for the letter U in the A-Z challenge.)

Understanding is a big part of my life. Every day I think I am looking for an understanding.

I need to understand who I am, what I stand for, and what I believe in. This is what makes me, me.

I also need to understand why I do things. Everything has a purpose. Every person has a motive or an agenda even if they don’t want to admit it. By understanding why I want to do something can help me prioritize what I do. Sometimes my need to do certain things is not as important as others.

I need to understand other people. I use their words, tone of voice, and body language to determine not just what they say but what they mean. I am such a visual learner that seeing someone else is very important to me when communicating. I think that is why I don’t like using the phone that much. Since I started using Skype, it has made using a phone so much more enjoyable for me.

I need to understand that other people may not place the same importance on certain things as I do. It is frustrating when people don’t move in the same direction or speed as I do.

I need to understand why other people do certain things. I like to people watch when we get in big crowds and imagine the life of the people I see. I try to imagine their background and what motivates them to wear certain clothes or act in a certain way.

Looking at all the things that I need to understand, I realize that my students need to understand a lot more than just the information that I am teaching them. In order for them to comprehend and retain what is important, they need to understand how it relates to their lives.

My students need to learn the steps to a new skill. They need to understand each step in order to repeat it. Without this understanding, they won’t be able to build on it to learn new steps.

Understanding takes many different shapes. As a teacher, I need to find the shape that each student needs. Not all of my students understand in the same way so finding a way to help them may be a mystery that needs to be solved. I guess, this mystery is what makes teaching exciting to me.

What things do you need to understand in your life? What do you think students need to understand in order to be successful? Please share!

Image: 'Understanding'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10075702@N00/5811447011