Monitoring and Clarifying
Monitoring and clarifying assists readers with their comprehension because it is only if readers are actively assessing their comprehension, that they can trace their steps and clear up misunderstandings by employing other comprehension strategies to problem solve the author's message.
As with previously discussed strategies, monitoring and clarifying works together with all other strategies. It requires students to not only be consciously recruiting strategies when they read, but assessing their changing understanding as they employ each strategy.
Comprehension is a before, during and after reading process, and therefore readers should also be monitoring and clarifying throughout this time.
As with previously discussed strategies, monitoring and clarifying works together with all other strategies. It requires students to not only be consciously recruiting strategies when they read, but assessing their changing understanding as they employ each strategy.
Comprehension is a before, during and after reading process, and therefore readers should also be monitoring and clarifying throughout this time.
Questions and ideas for the Classroom
- "This could mean....."
- "I should read that again because I don't really understand" - "How do I say that word?" -" What other information do I need?" - Use sticky notes when coming across something tricky. - "How does this relate to what happened before/ what I know?" - "Is this part important?" - "What is the author not telling me? Is there another way I could work it out?" - "What strategy could I use to help me understand?" - "Does it make sense now?" - "Does my understanding fit with what I already know?" - "How does this relate to the main idea?" |
The above clip is an excellent example of teaching students to 'think aloud' and consciously monitor their comprehension.
Steps are provided for successfully completing a 'think aloud'. |
In the classroom......
Providing visual prompts around the classroom encourage and remind learners to monitor their thinking and comprehension.
Further Resources
http://www.adlit.org/strategies/23357/
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/guided-comprehension-monitoring-using-230.html
http://www.thinkport.org/a4092856-945a-4952-aceb-9f606e84af36.asset
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/guided-comprehension-monitoring-using-230.html
http://www.thinkport.org/a4092856-945a-4952-aceb-9f606e84af36.asset