Reading Comprehension Lesson Plans for Parents and Teachers

Helping Children with Reading Comprehension

The Importance of Comprehension

Reading comprehension is a child's ability to understand, analyze and interpret texts. It's important not only for English/language arts, but for many other subjects in school and even for a child's future career. The more that a child reads, the more likely it is that he or she will comprehend the text.

To build a child's intrinsic motivation to read, encourage students to read for fun whether in the classroom or at home. Have your child or class pick books from an age- and level-appropriate booklist. As a teacher, you can create a class 'reading corner' and have a fun, light-hearted reading time each day. As a parent, you can also have a daily reading time. Sit with your child and discuss his or her current book. Lead by example by reading in your own free time.

Reading Methods

The way that you discuss a text with children can help increase their comprehension skills. Guide children towards critical thought by asking them to form opinions about characters, events and places presented in a variety of different narratives. In addition, ask children to make predictions about what may occur next.

Teaching Vocabulary

One of the keys to a child's reading comprehension is having strong vocabulary skills. These skills can be developed through many techniques. Give children lists of words and have them memorize the words for a quiz or test. Alternatively, you could play games with flash cards. The Internet is bursting with free comprehension-based games and activities.

In a classroom, one game you can play involves a sticky ball and a whiteboard. Write new words on the board and have a child stand behind a line and throw the sticky ball at the board. Ask the student to define the vocabulary word that the ball hits. If he or she can't, ask the rest of the class for help.

Lesson Plan Resources

There are many resources that you can use to create your own reading comprehension lesson plans. If you're a teacher, there are likely to be lesson guidelines and outlines that you can use in your school materials. There are also many resources online for teachers as well as parents. Many websites provide lesson plan templates or lists of reading lesson plans submitted by teachers and other reading professionals.

If a child is in need of extra help and attention, then sometimes a reading professional may be required outside of school. As a teacher, you can tutor children yourself. As a parent, there are many reading tutors and other professionals available that can help your child with his or her reading comprehension skills.