Students need to be taught strategies that can improve comprehension especially with the new Common Core Standards stressing informational texts. Some of these strategies need planning and some can be easily implemented more readily. Conversation strategies have been researched and proven effective ways to support comprehension. This seems rather easy, just have students talk to each other and they will learn. However there are several strategies that are recommended according to Fischer and Frey 2012. Think-Pair-Share for example specifically increases student response to teacher questions. This process encourages students to think about their response then share with a neighbor which allows the students time to refine their original thought process. Higher order thinking is produced as a result according to Blooms Taxonomy because the students are analyzing and synthesizing information. Learning station is another opportunity for students to work together to create knowledge. This strategy is dependent upon students ability to work together while the teacher circulates to each group to give small group instruction (Fischer and Frey 2012). Jigsaw strategies work great for students who first become experts in an area and then engage in discussion with the rest of the class. Reciprocal teaching is a strategy that flips the teaching from the teacher to the student. This strategy uses questioning, clarifying, summarizing, and predicting strategies to increase comprehension. Studies have indicated that this strategy motivates students at risk (e.g.,Carter, 1997; Palincsar & Herrenkohl, 2002). Reciprocal teaching was also found to improve reading comprehension on standardized testing (Alfassi, 1998). These are only a few strategies that as a teacher I will implement into my classroom for student success.
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