What is Reading Comprehension?

Reading comprehension is defined as the level of understanding of a text. This understanding comes from the interaction between the words that are written and how they trigger knowledge outside the text. .[1]

Proficient reading depends on the ability to recognize words quickly and effortlessly.[2] If word recognition is difficult, students use too much of their processing capacity to read individual words, which interferes with their ability to comprehend what is read. From Wikipedia.

Reading comprehension is important.  In today’s classrooms too many children don’t know or understand what they read, even though they may read at a high level.  The problem with this is that the information doesn’t sink in.  It’ s a lot like a boat bobbing on the lake.  Unless there is an anchor attached, the boat doesn’t fill and sink to the bottom.

It’s the same with English reading comprehension.  While our language is difficult and has many words that are phonetically close and even spelled alike, they don’t always mean the same thing.

Children who have problems in school with reading don’t enjoy it, as a rule.  They may like looking at pictures and flipping through the pages, but they don’t fully grasp the idea of the book or the meaning.  Consequently, they are not interested in reading other books on the same subject, don’t retain facts and figures, and generally don’t develop a thirst for knowledge gained through the written word.

How to Improve Reading Comprehension?

From Traci’s List of 10 (http://www.tengrrl.com/tens/016.shtml):

1. Main Point
2. Steps
3. Fact vs. Opinion
4. Perspective
5. Prediction
6. Paraphrase/summary
7. Creative response
8. Questions
9. Pre Reading/Post Reading
10. Title

There are many online strategies for becoming a better reader that include worksheets and classes.  While teachers may not have the time to work with your child individually, you could benefit from some research and applying some of the rules suggested.

Every person deserves to read.  Being a good reader may take longer for some people than others, but if you have a desire you can help yourself or someone else gain good reading comprehension skills.