5 Comprehension Tips for January

January is here! And we as teachers have to be ready to hop right back into the swing of things- and have no time to waste! The time off for the holidays is tough for our students- so the best way for us to get back to making progress is to stay on schedule and busy! Just jump right back in!

BE ORGANIZED. 

When working on comprehension- I focus on one story per week. It helps to have materials prepped and ready for this so you are not scrambling on your students time (because wait time increases behaviors!). Staying organized helps everyone be ready to work!

How do I do this?

Keep a binder with each story and all levels included (even if you don’t think you need them- you will have them for next year- or if that new student magically walks through your door.

Get introduction letters and data sheets READY TO GO. I list out the stories and put students names on the data sheets before the week even starts. This may save me a few minutes that I can’t afford to lose when taking data!

Organize all worksheets you need for each level- keep them together. Having levels helps every student THINK they are doing the same thing- but they are all able to learn and be successful- huge win!

 

INTRODUCE VOCAB FIRST.

If your students don’t know the vocabulary- how great will their comprehension be? I always introduce the weeks vocabulary words- no matter how simple the concepts may seem to you. This mimics what many general education classrooms do too! (for extra vocab practice check this out)

How do I do this?

I use the most difficult level to introduce whole group- then move to small groups based on their level.

We do a ton of mimicking- saying the word and definition as a group, having students identify by picture and word at the board- and fun matching games with the circle cards!

I love to keep a word a day by the door as a secret passage- this helps with word ID when reading the story (and many stories have repeat words) – students must say, point, or state the definition, every time they leave the room! It’s a fun little added practice.

PROVIDE EXTRA PRACTICE.

Providing extra practice throughout the week is a perfect way to reach every student. Some students work faster than others and some just in general need more practice to be successful. Having extra materials to pull from makes this easy to do with little prep each week.

How do I do it?

I keep a bin of extra January materials ready to go during down time, early finishers, or for those who need the extra practice.

Clip cards are a life saver. The different levels make it easy to increase difficulty slowly (add a few more difficult ones in at a time)

Students can use these independently!

Did I mention that clip cards also work on fine motor? But if that is too difficult for your students to do independently- they can point or use a dry erase.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT SEQUENCING.

In special education- it’s easy to forget the sequencing piece when working on comprehension. I am a true believer that when we explicitly teach vocabulary, sequencing, and the story- the students will have a better understanding and be more successful.

How do I do it?

Make sequencing more fun by attaching the worksheets with velcro to sequencing sticks (simple paint sticks- FREE ask for them at home depot or lowes!)

Introduce the sequencing after reading the most difficult level whole group and complete that levels sequencing together.

Break down into small leveled groups- read the story again, and practice the sequencing.

Keep each level of sequencing on hand and store each months- once you have all stories completed for the year they will be easy to pull out for next year.

 

ASSESSMENT MATTERS.

If we simply read the story and move on how do we know our students are learning. I give multiple assessments a week, increase or decrease difficulty (thank god for leveled worksheets) and give students a final assessment at the end of the week. Keeping track of the data helps me assess the level my student should be at the following week, analyze IEP goals, and helps ME help my students to the best of my ability.

How do I do it?

I give a vocabulary pre and post assessment each week- I love so see the student growth in vocabulary!

After reading the comprehension story ONE time, give an assessment.

Then read the story everyday, discuss the questions included in the questions orally.

Finally, on Friday give the final assessment. See the student growth and celebrate successes. If the student struggled, decrease difficulty on next weeks story or provide more support.

Interested in Simple Comprehension January?

Download here.