1. Comprehension Instruction
in Content Area Classes
Paul Neufeld
Reviewed by Larissa, Lorenzo, and Jessica

2. Comprehension: Why is it
important?
• important in learning all subject areas
• research suggests that when hands-on
learning is combined with text-based
learning- students learn more than just
reading
• students can be taught comprehension
strategies and this instruction improves
understanding
"Students were provided with opportunities to practice comprehension
strategies but they were not actually taught the strategies themselves nor the
utility value of applying them" (Pressley, 2002)

3. What does it mean to
“Comprehend”?
comprehension can be defined broadly as the
process of constructing a supportable
understanding of the text
**key word supportable
• an active, intentional thinking process
through which reader constructs meaning
• Students understanding is expected to vary
depending upon their background knowledge
-but not all interpretations can be valid
(conflicting positions)

4. Thinking processes…
• Word level processes- ability to identify
words quickly, accurately and effortlessly
and knowledge of meanings of key words
• Reader knows how they comprehend
• Reader's general knowledge of the world
and knowledge about the topic are critical in
comprehension process
• limited background or weakness in word
level can hinder comprehension

5. Reading behaviors
• Expert readers:
o use variety of consciously controlled strategies
o Prior to reading they:
 clarify their purpose of reading this text, activate prior knowledge
of the topic and make a plan on how to read the text
• While reading they:
o Ask questions, relate information to their previous
understandings, reread, summarize, and make notes to monitor
their comprehension and clarify their understanding
o Use these strategies WITHOUT prompting from others
o Consciously select the right strategy from the given text
o Does NOT develop for many students simply by asking them to read--

6. Getting ready to read…
Clarifying a purpose for reading
Overviewing the text
Activating prior knowledge relevant to text
Making predictions about the text
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/3479/

7. During and after reading…
Attending to text structure
Creating summaries (oral, written, visual)

8. Monitoring Comprehension…
Explicit instruction of individual strategies
- Modeling
-Guided Practice
-Independent Practice
Teaching for self-regulated strategy use

9. Effective Comprehension
Strategies…
OWL (Observe, Wonder, Life)
O -- what do you Observe or Notice
W -- what do you Wonder
L -- Link it to your life
Other Strategies:
-Story Maps
-Inferences
-Connections
-Questioning
http://www.readinglady.com/index.php?module=documents&JAS_DocumentManag
er_op=viewDocument&JAS_Document_id=6

10. Still not getting it...?
Your kids still
not comprehending?
-Maybe they are missing
the components leading
up to
comprehension
http://www.readinglady.com/index.php?module=documents&JAS_DocumentM
anager_op=viewDocument&JAS_Document_id=6

11. What it comes down to...
The article states that :
"however, keep in mind, that limited
background knowledge, or weaknesses in
word-level processes, are major
impediments to comprehension..."

12. Conclusion…