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How Can We Teach Comprehension and Critical Reading?

12/1/2022

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I have for years been successful teaching children to read for details and to evaluate and understand what they read. 

One example:

A 5th grader entered my free reading program.  He was reading between 2nd and 3rd grade with very low comprehension.  He was also having trouble with aggressive behavior at school.  After only 21 weeks of one-hour, once-a-week tutoring using vowel clustering, he was reading at the 6th grade level with strong comprehension scores.

I used the vowel clustering program as written in my newest book, Why Can’t We Teach Children to Read?
 
When you train children to read for details, their comprehension scores increase, their understanding of the material that they read is much better. 

Let’s look at an example.  Since we are all scurrying around getting ready for Christmas, I decided to use a Christmas example.
 
One program that I use this time of year is my Christment Workshop.  A Christment is an ornament made from beads and chenille stems. As shown in the picture, the Christment tree tells the story of Christmas.  Children (even 4-year-olds) can make a simple ornament.  My books provide step-by-step directions, patterns, and pictures.  Each ornament is graded by skill level needed for completion, so that all ages may be included.
 
Following step-by-step directions is one of the best ways to build comprehension skills. 
 
Yes, you actually help students learn to comprehend what they are reading when they apply what they read to a hands-on project.  Almost any hands-on project works.

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For more information on teaching comprehension skills, see:  Reading Comprehension
https://www.groupcentered.com/reading-blog/reading-comprehension
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Christments are easy to make, and the children love making them.
 
These simple ornaments may be used at home by families, in the classroom by teachers, or even in assisted living facilities with seniors who are working on building their skills.
 
I’ve even used the beaded candle ornaments from the Christment books at my reading clinic.  Candles are not necessarily related just to church.  The children practice reading, following directions, and comprehending what they are reading as they make the candles.  And yes, we have fun as well as learn.
 
My group made simple candles and took them home to hang in their bedroom window as a suncatcher.  The candles of course also work on the Christmas tree.  The point is that you are teaching comprehension skills.  These are skills that all children, teens, and adults need to learn.
 
For more about my Christment tree books and other publications, click below to the link to my books. 

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This is a simple Christment candle that even a 4-year-old can make from beads and chenille stems..  Children string the beads and shape to the pattern in The Christment Tree Pattern Book, Volume 3. Children read and follow step-by-step directions to complete the project. 

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This candle is also easy to make, but it has a few more steps to follow.  The challenge is perfect for elementary age children.  Children simply follow the directions and patterns in The Christment Tree, Volume 2. 
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Teenagers enjoy making this candle.  However, several elementary age children have followed the step-by-step directions in The Christment Tree, Volume 1, and made this candle as well.  The idea is to teach comprehension by following directions. 


Note: the Christment Tree books may be available at a lower price direct from the publisher. 
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    Elaine Clanton Harpine, Ph.D.

    Elaine is a program designer with many years of experience helping at-risk children learn to read. She earned a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (Counseling) from the Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

    if you teach a child to read, you can change the world.

    Copyright 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 Elaine Clanton Harpine 

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