It is one thing to be able to read, it is an entirely different thing to read with comprehension. This means that one has to understand what is going on in the text and really analyse and think critically about what they are reading. This is where reading comprehension is so important. In this 4-week FLEX class, we will practice this skill using VIPERS.  This stands for Vocabulary, Inference, Prediction, Explaining, Retrieval, Sequence/Summarise. This 4-week course will focus on all these skills while reading and analyzing various texts about different, interesting and engaging subjects. We will look at information, explanation, narrative, poem, diary, instruction, retrieval, letter and inference types of texts. 

The course will last for 4 weeks and at the beginning of every week (Sunday evening GMT) all reading comprehension printables and video lessons for the week will be uploaded onto the Outschool page. Students will be able to have a choice of the reading comprehension they would like to complete. They will be encouraged to do at least three reading comprehension activities a week, however, they are more than welcome to do all five. Students can either print out the reading comprehension printable or download it onto their device (PDF file).  It will never be more than 2 pages per printable.

 They will attempt to read what they can themselves and then watch a pre-recorded video of me reading the text and pointing out tricky vocabulary. I will read the questions to them and challenge them to answer the questions. I will then record another video going through the answers and explaining each answer. I will show them where to find the information in the text and will provide them with a model of how to answer the questions. There will be a second video for each lesson that will look at the answers together and show them where they could find the answer. Each lesson (from the very start until the end) should take no more than 40 minutes and as students gain confidence in their abilities it may take about 25-30 minutes. Students are welcome to go at their own pace and I would encourage them to send in at least 3 of their completed comprehension activities (whichever texts they prefer). 

To sum it up, each week students will receive 5 comprehension printable PDF sheets. Each comprehension sheet will be accompanied by two video-recorded lessons. The first one will read through the text, discuss what the text is about and look at the questions. The second recording will be going through the comprehension questions and answers, showing students where the answer could be found in the text. 

All texts are based on a Year 1 (UK level) reading level. 

Week 1 - All about Explorers
Week 2- All about the Artic
Week 3 - All About Space
Week 4 - All About Great Firsts