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Comprehension is gaining meaning from what you read. This is a complex, higher-level thinking skill, but children from a very early age can begin thinking about what they have just read and tell you what a story is about. When children read, they must turn their “minds on” and actively think about what they are reading means.
The goal for 3rd graders is that they can understand the book they read and the books that are read to them. They can answer questions about the story and find evidence by flipping through the book’s pages to point out and prove their answer.
The show their understanding by retelling about the characters, setting and important events from the story. If the book is nonfiction, they can describe the important 5 W’s (Who/What/When/Where/Why) from the book.
At the end of the 3rd grade, your child will take their first official standardized test (standardized meaning every test taker answers the same questions and is scored in the same way across the state). The Reading Comprehension test consists of about 50 multiple choice questions to test if your child can read proficiently on grade level. If they fail, they can be held back and not promoted to 4th grade. The results will be shared with parents.
To see sample test questions, click here.
Reading at home independently or aloud for enjoyment is the single best daily routine to help strengthen your child’s understanding of stories. Asking simple questions about the characters and talking about best parts of a book gets your child thinking about the story and making connections to their own life.
Its easy to fall into the trap of always asking simple, straight forward questions that elicit one-word answers about your child’s reading. Of course you want to make sure they’re understanding what they read, so you ask questions such as “Who is the main character?”
Try asking a question that stretches your child’s thinking and allows them to explain their feelings. “Did you agree with what the character did? What would you have done?”
This taps right into higher level critical thinking skills, deepening their comprehension while giving you a window into their thoughts.
A K-W-L chart is a popular method for teachers to hook their students and get them thinking right away about a story they’re about to read.
This is best used for nonfiction reading, or books about facts. You don’t have to write this all down, these questions can be used when talking with your child as they read. It’s quick and easy, but will get your child diving into the topic they’re learning.
Conversations about books should be fun. Quizzing a child for correct answers after reading their favorite book can suck the joy out of the reading experience. Instead, try to ask questions from a place of curiously and wanting to know what your child thinks. This makes them feel that their opinions and thoughts matter.
After reading a story use your hand to help you remember the most important elements of the story. This technique can be used for people ages 4 to 94.
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Second Graders learn the skill of “summarizing,” or retelling the main points of what they have read. Ask your child these questions to further help them remember what they have just read.
When reading with your child, a great technique is to pause after a few pages and check in to see if your child is truly grasping what they are reading. Asking open-ended questions allows them to explain their thinking. If what they tell you does not match the story, you can help redirect them back on track:
You: “Helen Keller’s teacher wrote the word “W-A-T-E-R” into the palm of her hand as water was flowing onto her when she was 7 years old. Why did she do this?”
Your child: “I don’t know….maybe it was to tickle her.”
You: “Helen could not see or hear. What do you think Helen was learning when her teacher did this?”
Allow your child enough undisturbed “think time” to process what is happening. If you ask them a question about the story, let them look at the pages and take a few moments to think, at least 3 seconds. We typically only wait one second before jumping in with the answer. Providing answers too quickly takes away a child’s “thinking time”, robbing them of the opportunity to form conclusions on their own.
As your young reader matures, they can demonstrate their understanding in more sophisticated ways. When asking them questions from the story, ask them prove their answers by showing you the pages and words that describe the event.
A great way for your child to remember and internalize what they read is by using sticky notes. Have your child write these symbols on a sticky note and place them next to a line in a book to show their thinking.
LOL = funny part
? = confusing part
= favorite part
* = important part
Your child will be required to take their first standardized reading test at the end of the school year. The test will contain 50 multiple choice questions.
To see sample test questions, click here.
It is helpful for parents to look through these questions and get a sense for how your child will be tested. Try practicing test questions with your child, but keep it short. Once a week read a sample passage with your child and have fun answering 2-3 questions together. Make it into a game for them to win prizes, like picking a movie for weekend. The purpose of these sessions is to (1) boost your child’s confidence, (2) help parents give their child tips for answering questions, and (3) to diffuse the anxiety from testing through short practice sessions.
Books are the best way to expose children to new vocabulary, stories and higher level thinking skills. But reading on their own is not the single way to access stories. Read alouds and audio books offer the same benefits and let children enjoy a great book. The NC Kids Digital Library offers hundreds of picture read alouds that let your child hear stories and build their reading skills.
Your child will be required to take their first standardized reading test at the end of the school year. The test will contain 50 multiple choice questions.
To see sample test questions, click here.
It is helpful for parents to look through these questions and get a sense for how your child will be tested. Try practicing test questions with your child, but keep it short. Once a week read a sample passage with your child and have fun answering 2-3 questions together. Make it into a game for them to win prizes, like picking a movie for weekend. The purpose of these sessions is to (1) boost your child’s confidence, (2) help parents give their child tips for answering questions, and (3) to diffuse the anxiety from testing through short practice sessions.
Reading books online, interactively, feels just like playing a fun computer game and helps your child build their reading comprehension skills.
NC Kids Digital Library (Free, requires library card number)
NC Kids Digital Library offers e-books, audiobooks, streaming videos, and read alongs. This collection was specifically designed for youth ages pre-K through 4th grade and includes picture books, youth fiction, youth nonfiction, and more.
Libby, by Overdrive App for iPhones and iPads, Google Play, or Windows Mobile
This app can be used on your phone or tablet to access the NC Kids Digital Library read along books for free.
Home Reading Helper is a resource for parents to elevate children’s reading at home provided by Read Charlotte.
