Reading comprehension is not a single action; rather, it is comprised of multiple behaviors that we use together while we read. Through today’s readings, I learned a lot more about the different behaviors that we as fluent readers frequently use. Before this, I did not realize how many strategies we rely on both consciously and unconsciously. However, while reading about the different processes, I actually found myself using some of them without even realizing it until their descriptions came up. I really noticed how much monitoring I do, because I tend to get distracted by other things and read paragraphs without comprehending them, so I often have to go back and re-read parts again when I realize I’m doing this. Because of this tendency that I have, I think that monitoring is probably one of my strongest and most-used strategies.
I also really connected (another strategy I realized I use a lot!) to the explanation of visualizing. Tompkins said that how well students use visualization becomes clear when they see movie versions of books they read: good visualizers are often disappointed with the film representation and the actors chosen, while students who don’t visualize tend to like the movie version better. Throughout my experiences, I’ve generally associated with the former – whenever I read a book before seeing the film version, I’m usually let down by the movie. I also don’t like seeing the movie before reading the book because then I don’t create my own visualizations and am always thinking about what I saw instead of what I’m reading.
Overall, these readings helped clarify the main strategies used by fluent readers and gave me a chance to metacognitively reflect on my own reading comprehension processes. As I looked through the overviews of each strategy, I realized just how ingrained these processes are in me after so many years in school. However, even though I use them without identifying them, I have to make sure that I monitor my processes so I can help my students learn to rely on them in the future. It’s easy to use them, but much harder to model them. I also really enjoyed this chapter because it showed me some great examples of how to help students develop these comprehension strategies as well. Overall, this week’s readings were very beneficial to me both as a learner and as a future teacher!
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3 comments:
Sorry! In my first post, I wrote Alexis... for some reason I thought I was reading hers! Ok here goes...
Kristin,
I definitely connected to your post becasue I never realized subconsciously and consciously how many strategies I use, too. I had always simply encompassed them as one general category: reading. That makes me think of today how Kate was saying that you cannot do what you are not taught how to do, and I realized that at some point, someone probably taught me these things, although I don't remember it! Also, I definitely know a number of people who prefer books to movies, and vice-versa, and I totally agree that this is dependent on the type of visualizer you are! I can't count the number of times Matt says that he loved the Lord of the Rings movies, and everytime, I ask him if the books were better, but he always says no, because he does not use this reading strategy well! I, on the other hand, love reading the books instead of seeing the movies, because my imagination does a better job of creating a scene than the movie producers!
Another important thing I realized while reading your post was that all of our TE books and articles that we read really bring home your last point, that what we as people who have successfully navigated the education system take for granted, are some of the basic things we need to teach our kids! Including reading comprehension, or like from Math 201, the reason numbers are even or odd! This makes me excited, because I think that someone along the way must have taught me well if I have been successful in the educational system, but again makes me nervous, because I wonder what happens to the children that a teacher cannot reach.
Overall, great post! Your thoughts were incredibly similar to mine, and it is great to hear that we tend to share reading styles, because then I know who to contact for clarification when I do not understand something! :-)
Kristin - I definitely agree with you on realizing how we consciously and subconsciously use these strategies. I do a lot of them, and in as a result, I would consider myself a pretty good reader, but after I read your post and specifically about monitoring your reading, I realize I do that too, especially text that we see in textbooks. While reading more for pleasure, I tend to have good focus. Sometimes I even like to have other things going on around me which actually makes me focus more actually.
I have one idea you can use that may be helpful for your reading that may cut down the time by decreasing your re-reading. I have a feeling that you might be a fast reader, and maybe if you slowed down a little bit it might help. I'm just guessing but since I know you pretty well I think you are a fast reader. hahah Anywho, I definitely agree with your analysis of the visualization and film. I agree that for those of us who use this strategy, movies often prove difficult to watch of movies that have been based on books. Good job my love. :-)
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