Grade 3-4 Master Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension

During each class I will present a topic needed to be a great reader. We will then read short passages and practice using that technique. A variety of sources will be used to practice reading comprehension - informational texts, workplace and community-based documents, general fiction, opinion based texts, and non-fiction aligned with science and social studies curriculums for this age group. Students will be assessed on their comprehension of the reading passages by answering questions about the main idea, making inferences, the author’s purpose, summary, mood, characterization, character’s point of view, sequence of events, theme, and supporting details. A solid understand of these concepts will also greatly improve one's writing. 

These classes are designed for learners who have mastered the decoding skills needed for reading sentences and paragraphs fluently, and are now ready to focus on interpreting the meaning of what they are reading and making observations about it. We will practice the critical thinking skills needed to separate fact from opinion and recognize claims that are supported by evidence. 

What we cover on a specific day will be learner led and depend on the specific class. The topics listed below will all be presented. 

Finding the Main Idea
Locating and Understanding Supporting Details
Making Inferences
Sequence of Events
Comparing and Contrasting
Cause and Effect
Drawing Conclusions
Determining Author's Evidence and Purpose
Setting
Character Traits
Application (apply recently learned information to a new situation)
Synthesis 
Finding the Theme
Analyzing Story Structure (Inciting Incident, Conflict, Climax, Resolution)


Below is an example of a practice question. This is from the application section and is representative of the practice questions we will do after I have presented each topic. I will read each passage aloud and have it on the screen for learners to read and go back and refer to.

Read the following passage and choose the one best answer to the question:

The painter Roy Lichtenstein helped to define pop art—the movement that incorporated commonplace objects and commercial-art techniques into paintings—by paraphrasing the style of comic books in his work. His merger of a popular genre with the forms and intentions of fine art generated a complex result: while poking fun at the pretensions of the art world, Lichtenstein’s work also managed to convey a seriousness of theme that enabled it to transcend mere parody.

Question:
Which response BEST applies the ideas in the passage?

A. Artwork is important in American society.
B. Roy Lichtenstein wrote comic books.
C. Roy Lichtenstein combined 2 popular genres to form a new genre.

Answer: C. The second sentence says Roy Lichtenstein combined 2 popular genres to form a new genre, which is correct.  He incorporated commonplace objects and commercial art techniques into paintings.

I will always carefully explain WHY each answer is correct, so learned are able to better understand how to apply each of these reading strategies.