Comprehension of Narrative Text Strategies for Fifth Grade
1. Spin the Discussion:
Description: After reading a book to a small group, invite one student to flick the spinner to begin a discussion.
Purpose: Instead of using literal questions, teachers can use the following prompts to discuss books, allowing students to learn from others and demonstrate their comprehension of a story.
Directions: Create a spinner with the following prompts in the four sections:
1. Tell in your own words what happened.
2. Tell your favorite part and why that is your favorite part.
3. Say what this book reminds you of.
4. Add something new to the story.
After reading a book to a small group, invite on student to flick the spinner to begin a discussion. Invite other students to add to that discussion or take a turn with the spinner to state a new discussion.
2. Character Sketch:
Description: Allows students to illustrate the characters.
Purpose: Encourages readers to visualize the characters by providing graphically inclined students an opportunity to connect their artistic ability with the reading.
*Directions: Read a story aloud to students without showing the pictures to the students. Once you've completed reading the story aloud to the students, instruct the students to draw a picture of what they think the characters look like. Once the students have completed their drawing of the characters, ask the students to explain the reasons for their depictions by using information from the story they've heard.
*This can be done in a whole group setting or in a small group setting.
Description: After reading a book to a small group, invite one student to flick the spinner to begin a discussion.
Purpose: Instead of using literal questions, teachers can use the following prompts to discuss books, allowing students to learn from others and demonstrate their comprehension of a story.
Directions: Create a spinner with the following prompts in the four sections:
1. Tell in your own words what happened.
2. Tell your favorite part and why that is your favorite part.
3. Say what this book reminds you of.
4. Add something new to the story.
After reading a book to a small group, invite on student to flick the spinner to begin a discussion. Invite other students to add to that discussion or take a turn with the spinner to state a new discussion.
2. Character Sketch:
Description: Allows students to illustrate the characters.
Purpose: Encourages readers to visualize the characters by providing graphically inclined students an opportunity to connect their artistic ability with the reading.
*Directions: Read a story aloud to students without showing the pictures to the students. Once you've completed reading the story aloud to the students, instruct the students to draw a picture of what they think the characters look like. Once the students have completed their drawing of the characters, ask the students to explain the reasons for their depictions by using information from the story they've heard.
*This can be done in a whole group setting or in a small group setting.