How to Master Fourth Grade Reading Comprehension

Readers at the fourth-grade level are considered literate.

Reading comprehension is the ability to make meaning from text. Students who are able to read and comprehend at the fourth-grade reading level are considered literate. It takes a great deal of practice and patience on the part of the students to develop comprehension skills. Making predictions and connections with the text at hand deepens the reader's understanding. Once comprehension skills are mastered, a world of independent learning is opened and lifelong learning can begin.

Instructions

1. 

   Make a prediction about the content of the text.

   Look at the cover image, any pictures in the book and read the title. Make a prediction of what you think the text will be about. Activate, or think about, any prior knowledge you may have about this topic.

2. 

   Play a "movie in your mind" while reading text.

   Visualize images from the text in your mind. Involve as many senses as possible when creating these images. Replay this "movie in your mind" periodically when reading the text to review the information.

3. 

   Ask yourself questions about the text while reading.

   Ask yourself questions about the text you are reading. Answer questions about the characters, the meaning of some difficult words and the theme of the story. Make predictions continuously throughout the text.

4. 

   Recall a time you had an experience similar to the one in the story.

   Make connections with the text you are reading. Think about times you have had a similar experience, you have read about a similar experience or you remember hearing about something similar once happening. Recall your emotions when connecting with the text.

5. 

   Tell someone about the story you read.

   Discuss the text with a friend, teacher or parent during the reading and when the story is completed. Summarize the story to this person. Predict what you think will happen to the characters after the story is completed. Explain why you did or did not like the story,

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your teacher to recommend books to read that are at your independent level, so you will not get frustrated while reading the text.

References

• University of Connecticut: Reading Comprehension: 2007
• West Virginia Department of Education: Comprehension Strategies
• Common Core State Standards Initiative: The Standards: English Language Arts Standards