Making It Stick!
Dr. Gwendolyn Lavert, PhD
Amazon: Pre-Order:Who Say’s I Can’t Literacy ed. Edition ISBN-13: 978-1958590591, ISBN-10: 1958590592 Literacy Leadership/Teacher Trainer/Keynote Speaker -School Author/Teachers Writing Workshop
Reading comprehension is a crucial skill that enables students to extract meaning from text, make connections, and apply what they've learned. However, many students struggle with this skill, and it's not just about decoding words. Attention plays a vital role in reading comprehension, and understanding how our brains process information can help students improve their skills. In this article, we'll explore the importance of attention in reading comprehension, discuss practical strategies for teachers, and examine a case study that illustrates these strategies in action.
The Importance of Attention in Reading Comprehension
Research suggests that students who understand how their brains process information can perform better on tests and develop lifelong learning skills (Brown et al., 2014; Posner & Petersen, 1990). Reading comprehension requires attention, focus, and practice to develop. By understanding the pathways of attention, students can unlock their full potential and become confident readers.
Pathways of Attention
According to Eric Jensen, a renowned expert in brain-based learning, attention is a "spotlight" that illuminates specific areas of the brain, allowing us to process information more efficiently (Jensen, 2005). The pathways of attention involve a network of brain regions, including:
- Visual Word Form Area (VWFA): Processes written words and directs attention to meaningful patterns (Dehaene-Lambertz, 2006)
.- Left Occipito-Temporal Region (LOTR): Analyzes word meaning and context (Booth & Wise, 2003).
- Prefrontal Cortex (PFC): Regulates attention, working memory, and decision-making (Duncan, 2010).
- Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC): Monitors conflicts and errors, adjusting attention accordingly (Bush et al., 2005).
Practical Strategies for Teachers
By understanding these pathways, teachers can develop strategies to improve students' attention and reading comprehension skills. Here are some practical applications in the classroom:
- Directed Attention
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- Visual Aids
- Active Reading Strategies
- Working Memory Support
- Error Monitoring
- Feedback and Guidance
Case Study: Ms. Johnson's Classroom
Ms. Johnson, a 4th-grade teacher, implemented these strategies in her classroom. She noticed that her students were struggling to focus during reading comprehension lessons. By modeling the pathways of attention herself, she directed her students' attention to the main idea of the text, used visual aids to help them understand the context, encouraged active reading strategies like summarizing and self-questioning, and provided feedback and guidance to improve their comprehension.
As a result, her students' attention and engagement increased significantly, and they showed improvement in their reading comprehension skills.
In conclusion, attention plays a vital role in reading comprehension. By understanding how our brains process information and utilizing strategies that promote long-term retention and application, students can improve their reading comprehension skills and develop a lifelong love of learning. Teachers have the power to make a lasting impact on their students' academic success and help them become confident, capable readers. By implementing the strategies outlined in this article, teachers can help their students unlock their full potential and make reading comprehension stick.
References:
Brown, P. C., Roediger, H. L., & McDaniel, M. A. (2014). Make it stick: The science of successful learning. Harvard University Press
Jensen, E. (2005). Teaching with the brain in mind. ASCD.
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4 个月Very informative
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4 个月Gwen, Chief, I read all the inspiring posts you send us. Keep going. Keep posting. I love taking in your wisdom. For the rest of you. I met Gwen in person in our Singapore Caterpillar Office. She was supposed to be my HR Director, but I cannot tell, she's so personable and funny. I didn't know she was my HR Director when I repatriated and went Minaj in my Malaysia role. She's full of energy, her first observation about my colleague and I was "You two are always trouble". The real G. I know she doesn't post for fun, she cares about us. Its just what she does. She knows who gets business results and who just sit on a laptop collecting a paycheck doing little.
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4 个月This article was thought-provoking. Can you offer insight on how this could support students with disabilities? Thank you for sharing and sparking the mindsets of educators and other disciplines.
Your article on reading comprehension is essential to Make It Stick for our struggling readers.