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by Dianne Craft, MA, CNHP
One of the most puzzling situations a homeschooling mother finds herself in is when she has a child who can read the words in a book, but cannot answer the questions or tell her what has just been read. These moms frequently hear the phrase, “I don’t remember,” when queried about the reading material.
When working with bright, hardworking 4th through 8th graders in my reading class, I often had students who were experiencing this particular reading difficulty.
I realized that these students were not proficient at converting the words they were reading into a “movie” in their head, as the rest of us do when we read. They were merely doing “word calling” much of the time. I found that “movie making” was a skill that could be developed in them, using an easy fifteen minute a day exercise. This exercise did not involve paper or pencil, but only the use of their brain. “Word calling” is a left brain auditory task, while creating a picture or movie of those words is the responsibility of the right brain hemisphere. I merely showed them how to create a seamless flow of words to pictures as they were reading. You can do this at home, very easily.
Converting Words to Pictures
When a child or teenager regularly reads a passage well, but “can’t remember what is said,” we know that he is using an inefficient strategy for comprehension. He often is trying to remember the exact words he read, rather than converting the words into pictures. Whether he is reading for recreation or information, he must change the words he reads into images in his mind. The more these images involve the senses (sight, sound, smell, feel), the greater will be the comprehension of the passage.
Daily Training Sessions
The following steps can be used with a student to develop his ability to change the words he hears or reads into pictures for good comprehension. You will be surprised how fast his comprehension skills will improve after just a few weeks of these “training sessions.”
This method works well with one child or a group of children or teenagers.
STEP 1: PARENT/TEACHER READS A PASSAGE ALOUD
Choose material to read to the child that is interesting and very descriptive. Standing in front of him as you read to him, have the child sit upright and keep his eyes upward, creating a “movie” in his mind. You can pretend that you are looking at the projection screen in a movie theatre to further aid him in his “movie making.” Read a sentence or two aloud. Then ask him a few questions until you are sure he is seeing the pictures of the words you read, in detail.
For example, this is how your training session might look if you are reading aloud a passage about a beaver. Your first sentence you read may be, “The beaver is the largest rodent in North America.” Stop reading, and point to the imaginary screen, and say, “On our screen, let’s draw a quick sketch of North America. Now put the beaver on that map.” Your next sentence in this passage will read, “An adult beaver weighs from 35-70 pounds.” Stop reading and point up to the imaginary screen and say, “Now, use the ‘zoom lens’ of your brain camera and write ‘35-70’ on the beaver’s coat. Let’s use white paint to do this. Is your paint dripping? Oh well, he’ll wash it off soon.” The next sentence in the text will be, “Because of its’ large lungs, a beaver can remain submerged in water for fifteen minutes.” Stop reading and look up at the screen and help the child see this in his head by saying, “Now we need to change our scene. Let’s make a picture of a pond, with beavers around it. Do you see it on your screen? Now have one of the beavers slip into the pond. See him down on the bottom of the pond. Picture a large clock next to him. Have the hands of the clock move from twelve o’clock to twelve fifteen.”
As you do this training, instruct your child how to “move” his pictures and “freeze” them when he wants to notice something. You both will have great fun with this!
When you get to the end of a passage you’re reading, instruct your child to “rewind” the movie, to answer some questions about the passage. As you ask the questions, direct his gaze upward as he reviews his “movie” for the answers. This is the exciting part. Your child will be amazed at how easy it is to answer the questions.
STEP 2: THE STUDENT READS ALOUD TO YOU
After your child has demonstrated proficiency in converting words to pictures as he hears them, he is ready to read the words himself while creating his “movie.” Select a reading passage that is easy for him to read so that he can concentrate on making pictures rather than sounding out new words. Repeat the process you used before, stopping him after he has read a sentence or two, to ask him some questions about his “movie.” Direct his gaze upward to see what he just read. Be sure he gives you detailed pictures. As this becomes easier and more accurate for him, you can increase the number of sentences he reads before you ask questions.
STEP 3: THE STUDENT READS SILENTLY
When your child is successfully reading aloud while making good pictures in his mind, you can have him read a passage silently, asking him to stop every few lines or so, and asking him to tell you about the pictures he has made. If the pictures are detailed and accurate, you can have him read to the end of the passage uninterrupted. At the end of the reading, have him “rewind” his film and tell you all that he has read. You will be surprised at the things he remembers! His “words to pictures” process will soon become automatic. The upward eye movement will soon be unnecessary for the storage and retrieval of reading material.
Diagram on why reading?
Dear Parents,
Encourage your child to read everyday for these two weeks.
WHY READ?
REMEMBER TO ASK QUESTIONS WHEN READING
Click-write the questions on flash cards
Encourage your child to read for 30 minutes every day. Also, go over pronounciation and the meaning of the words they might have a challenge reading or understanding before reading a book. Then ask your child some comprehension question.
Click: comprehension questions
Directions: Write an equation that represents the word problem. Explain how you solved the problem.
colony
monarchy
culture
region
geography
discovery
ached
educated
astonished
sleek
portable
unique
sympathetic
after
before
nonperishables
Parents and students, it is that time of year where we give to our brothers and sisters that are in need. Our classroom will be responsible to bring nonperishable food items and personal hygiene products. I truly appreciate your support and generosity in this season of giving. Please see the examples below.
Nonperishables
‘Personal hygiene
Use these for your project.
Directions: Search the meaning of each genre write it and draw or glue the front cover of the book. Give four books as an example for each genre.
Genre
EX: Realistic Fiction-Science fiction is a genre of fiction in which the stories often tell about science and technology of the future. It is important to note that science fiction has a relationship with the principles of science—these stories involve partially true- partially fictitious laws or theories of science.
Click here to see a short video on how to write an essay.
Below I included the standards we are targeting with this assignment.
The purpose of this assignment is to read for information and to be able to gather facts and to express their knowledge through writing.
Read the articles and complete the activities that are listed in the homework calendar. The homework calendar will be given on Tuesday.
Welcome Back Students and Parents!!!
I do not know about you but I am very excited to start this new journey. Yes, this year will be challenging but at the same time exciting and fun!!!!
Throughout the year I will be posting information as well as resources for parents and for students. Once again do not hesitate to write me an email or to contact me in person if you have any questions.
What to Expect in Third Grade:
Writing Skills
Writing Activities
Math Skills
Math Activities
Animal Research
Instructions:
Research Questions:
Please write and answer the questions-Due tomorrow for credit
Write the definition in your own words and draw pictures (label)
1.Equivalent Fractions
2. whole
3. halves
4. thirds
5. fourths
6. fifths
For social studies we are learning about the pioneers moving to the west.
For homework they will be reading this book
Here are some resources for parents:
http://resources.clee.utk.edu/print/SIG%20Reading%20Strategies.pdf
http://www.slipperyrock.k12.pa.us/Downloads/Tips_for_Parents.pdf
https://reports05.nwea.org/nwea/help/DRS_Inst_Strat.pdf
Please join us this Friday!
Please work with your child to memorize the brief history of Cinco de Mayo.
This day is not a free dress day.
They can wear outfits that represent Mexican heritage (bright colors, shirts or dresses with flowers)
No Jeans
Example:
—————————————————————-
Born into slavery in NY State.
Her parents couldn’t save her from cruelty and hate.
She prayed for mercy, and eventually
They passed a law and set her free.
Fiery abolitionist as hot as burning coals,
Worked in the city saving sinners’ souls.
Helping the homeless women, taught them how to pray,
Giving them the strength to say —
Aren’t I a woman!
I’ve worked as hard as any man.
Aren’t I a woman!
I can do anything you can.
Aren’t I a woman!
The truth is, I know a thing or two.
Aren’t I a woman!
I deserve my rights the same as you.
She traveled through the country sounding out the call.
There was passion in her presence and power in it all.
Singing out for freedom in her animated way,
Not afraid to stand and say —
When slaves and women had no choice
‘Cause white men owned the voting booth.
This tall strong preacher raised her voice
To tell the world Sojourner’s Truth.
SNACK SALE!!
Come Join Us For Our 1st After School Snack Sale
On 2/17/17!
We are asking parents to:
Come and enjoy delicious snacks. See you there!
Important Information/Informacion Importante
First Communion Meeting Dates for 2017
Fechas para las juntas de Primera Communion 2017
Please bring a copy of baptism certificate to the school office – Before Feb 9th meeting
Porfavor de entregar la copia del certificado de bautismo a la escuela
Antes de Febrero 9
Explanation:
This month of December we have learned about the advent season. we talked about preparing our hearts for Jesus. We also discussed the different ways to prepare ourselves. In addition, we also talked about the Saint Nicholas and Our Lady of Guadalupe and how they play a big role in the advent season.
We also discussed the advent wreath.
More information below.