Comprehension is critical for academic success, effective communication, and problem-solving. Below is some advice on how to use Australian Catholics articles in lessons to nurture this imperative skill.
Before reading – activating prior knowledge and setting a purpose
Start the reading process by delving into the article's title and encouraging students to contemplate the subject matter. Questions such as, ‘What do I already know about this (author, topic, etc)?’ and ‘What language features would I expect to find in this text?’ ignite curiosity and lay the groundwork for engagement. Ask students to note the visual features of the text as well.
During the first reading – monitoring understanding and promoting engagement
Choose appropriate reading methods based on students’ ages and abilities. Whether employing round-robin reading, popcorn reading, volunteer reading, or teacher-focused reading aloud, considerations for vulnerable students’ comfort are essential. Regardless of whether students are listening to someone read aloud or independently, incorporating strategic pauses to ask questions ensures comprehension. For independent reading, encouraging students to underline or highlight key points fosters active engagement with the text, while introducing the R.I.D.E.R technique (Read, Imagine, Describe, Evaluate, Read on) provides students with a structured approach to reading, promoting active comprehension.
During the second reading – clarifying concepts
For older students, introducing the Cornell Note-taking System provides a valuable tool for taking organised and effective notes. This method involves dividing a page into three sections: a Cue Column, a Note-Taking Column, and a section for summarising key points.
Meanwhile, creating a class glossary for challenging words not only assists in understanding but also encourages students to practice using dictionaries for independent learning.
After reading – assessing understanding, encouraging reflection, stimulating critical thinking
Here students are encouraged to consolidate their understanding of the article’s content. There are several ways to do this, and you will likely employ different combinations of these strategies, according to the students’ needs and the outcomes sought.
Strategies for deeper understanding: Implementing the five-finger retell method, using think-pair-share for collaborative learning, and creating a story map are effective strategies for consolidating and visualising story elements.
‘I wonder’ questions: Encouraging inquiry-based thinking with 'I wonder' questions post-reading fosters curiosity and further exploration. These questions serve as a bridge to critical thinking and reflection.
Responding to questions about the article: Using provided reading comprehension questions and activities ensures a comprehensive exploration of the material, reinforcing the learned concepts.
Reflection and journalling: Guiding students through personal reflections on the article’s themes enhances metacognition. Structured prompts help students to consider personal connections, questions, observations about others, personal values, and applications in their lives.
Group sharing: Encouraging small group sharing facilitates a deeper understanding as students discuss their reflections. This can be followed by a whole-class discussion to explore commonalities and differences in perspectives.
Summarising the key takeaways from the article: Guiding students through summarisng the article involves a step-by-step approach. Emphasising clarity, conciseness, and accuracy ensures an effective summary that captures the essential elements of the original work.
Debriefing and shared insights: Fostering discussion by encouraging students to reflect on the text contributes to a collaborative learning environment. Structured prompts and questions guide the discussion, ensuring a thoughtful exploration of insights.
Tips for teachers
Fostering discussion, addressing individual differences in learning styles, and enhancing metacognition ensures that teachers can adapt their strategies to cater to diverse learning needs. Make sure you think ahead when you are introducing a text to a classroom, considering how well it supports your learning intentions, how you will support diverse learners and make sure that you allocate adequate time in the lesson to guide students to deepen their understanding of the text and associated concepts.
Comprehension is key
Supporting students to genuinely understand what they are reading involves a multifaceted strategy that spans before, during, and after reading occurs. By employing these techniques, educators can create an engaging and interactive learning environment that not only enhances comprehension skills but also cultivates critical thinking, reflection and a deeper understanding of the material.
We hope this guide helps you to make the best use of Australian Catholics articles and resources to enhance learning and teaching in the Religious Education context and to support the literacy goals for your school.