Curtis Said:

How can I improve reading comprehension?

We Answered:

hmmmm...It's hard to say what is going on here. Are you paying attention to class when the teacher is lecturing? Are you reading you're textbook at your "prime time?" Are you concentrating on reading? Do you have a lot of background noises or do you turn on music other than classical when you read? Do you read where it is bright?

If you answered no to any one of the above, then you need to fix that. Your "prime time" is when you feel that you work most efficiently in the day. For example, my "prime time" is in the afternoon around 4. I do all my homework then, and finish it really quickly, whereas I would have a hard time doing it in the morning.

If you answered no to ALL of the questions above, then here are two secrets to all reading comprehension, spelling, vocab, and homework in general. Drumroll please. The secrets are...flash cards and your own copy of the textbook. You can get most textbooks cheap on an online auction site, and flash cards can be found in any old stationary store.

HOW TO USE THESE SECRETS
if you use flash cards, which is by far the very best way to study, get a stack of these cards and write down key vocab words and points that you think are important on the flash cards, spelling them right. These key points can often be found on textbooks and online book summaries. After you wrote all these down, you have committed much more to your memory already by WRITING. Then, take these flashcards, and go say it in front of a mirror. This commits more by SPEAKING. Then, take these cards and TEACH it to your parents, friends, or family. this completes the final step of embedding something in your memory. This write, speak, teach method is confirmed by psychologists. A few days before the exam/quiz, take these cards around you wherever you go. Read em in passing period. Read em in a line. Read em EVERYWHERE

If you use the textbook, just highlight the key points and REREAD.

Erika Said:

How do you teach math and reading comprehension to a child with CAPD?

We Answered:

Visually and kinesthetically since verbally the information is not processed. Cue cards, math manipulatives, acting out what is going on in a story are a few ways to teach a child with CAPD.

Since CAPD and autism seem to effect children the same way (as far as being taught), look at how children with autism are taught and see if you can adapt those techniques to your student.

Lloyd Said:

What is the best way to teach English reading comprehension to high school students?

We Answered:

There probably isn't any one best way because people are different in their ability to learn. One way would be to have the teacher read aloud a short passage while the students follow in their books. Then the teacher should ask for questions or opinions, and find out where the problems are in the students' understanding. Explaining the meaning of words that students don't know, and discussing what the author meant are very important. Vocabulary lessons and tests are also a good idea because a poor vocabulary limits understanding.

Viola Said:

What strategies do you think are most effective in teaching reading comprehension to students with LD?

We Answered:

direct instruction and always model, they learn from you. always activate prior knowledge; this can be done with the book/chapter walk. put any new vocabulary they will encounter on the board and go over it, talk about what each word means in context to the material.

metacognition, being aware of what one is thinking and why, use self initiated strategies to improve and sustain focus on reading....ultimately, we want students to connect with past experiences to what they are reading so that they can remember and recall. important for comprehension. create images of what they are learning....

things like:
take students on a chapter walk. before reading, go thru the chapter. look at all the pictures, maybe discuss. read section headings and get them to make predictions. you may have to prompt them first, but ask them what they think they will be learning. students will get a feeling about what is going to be going on if they get a chapter/book walk and will not be as distracted while doing the reading.

chunk up sections of material/reading. go thru on your own and section off parts of the reading. as you do this, develop questions as to content and ask after reading the 'chunks'. making sure to ask inference (the hardest to teach and learn) and prediction questions.

like others have mentioned graphic organizers:

pre reading: after the book walk, create a simple chart. noting pictures or section headings. under each category, have students write, as a class or individually, predict what that section will be about. or, if a for reading, chose the characters discovered on the book walk and pictures and make a list....predict what they think might happen to them after they have looked at the pictures.

compare and contrast: if for core reading, chose characters from the story, like a main character, and make a chart one side your life, the other the character. have them fill in what was is in their life....i have 2 sisters......characters life.....only child. they will compare and contrast themselves with the book making an EXCELLENT connection.

character perspective chart:
choose two main characters. list who. setting, where did story take place? problem, what is this characters problem? goal, what does this characters goal? attempt, how do they go about solving their problem? outcome, what happens as a result of the attempt? reaction, how does the character feel about the outcome?

literary report card:
choose a character. one side of chart, give characteristics: kind, generous, clever, helpful, reliable. on the other side, have students give the chosen character a grade and comment as to the grade.

any connections to their lives the student can make to the reading will greatly enhance comprehension and recall.

these are some examples but i know you are working with older kids. the top two or three work well with expository material. the more directed the activities the better for students. i dont know if its for them specifically or a program you are in.

Lance Said:

Teaching reading comprehension - methodology consistent with examination practice?

We Answered:

The University of Connecticut offers a few strategies for teaching reading comprehension on their web site. I'm not sure how you can relate those strategies to your exams because everyone has their own method of exam creation. If you visit this site you will find many helpful articles for teaching vocabulary and comprehension. I hope you find what you are looking for and I encourage your desire to improve on your strategies. Those are one of the signs of good teaching, someone who is always willing to learn is always a better teacher for it.

http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/compre.htm

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Cheers!

Willard Said:

Homeschooling parents: How do you teach reading comprehension / retention?

We Answered:

I would use a technique called Narration. Have her read a paragraph to herself or aloud to you. She then needs to tell you what it was about. Don't ask her specific questions. Over time, she will get better and better at this.

A great book to read about comprehension is called 7 Keys to Comprehension

http://www.amazon.com/7-Keys-Comprehensi…

For multiplication tables- try this free online game
http://www.bigbrainz.com/#ScrollStart

Best of Luck to You!
Jana
http://www.purehomeschooling.com