How Smart Readers Think
Daniels and Zemelman's Subjects Matter Chapter 2 discusses how to use appropriate reading strategies to increase reading comprehension. The authors argue that we sometimes struggle as readers, not because we can't read, but because we don't know the right ways to approach the text provided. Not having comprehension strategies established early in our reading careers significantly impacts our overall literacy later in school and in life. To combat this, the authors listed the stages of reading and the goals assigned to each stage to help both students and teachers recognize the steps necessary to approach a reading passage. 
The authors challenged me and how I personally perceive reading but showing how complex the reading process is. In order to truly comprehend the text in front of us, we use a variety of processes, often unconscious to us as we read. I often skip the steps included in before reading: developing questions and making predictions. However, I learned in my Educational Psychology course this past semester that being able to make predictions before and during a story is a key indicator of reading comprehension. I think I will challenge myself to include this step in my own studies to deepen my understanding of the assigned readings. Reading comprehension is essential in all subjects. I plan on using the strategies discussed in this chapter not only for myself, but also with my students to develop a deeper understanding of the content.
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I really liked how you incorporated knowledge that you learned in a previous class into your synthesis post. Developing questions and predictions is a key component to our understanding of the text. It's so important for us as teachers to continue practicing these reading skills with our students outside of their English class. It's also important to go over the basics with them, have class discussions, etc. before assigning any in depth reading. This way the reading acts as connection point for information they've heard before.
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"This way the reading acts as connection point for information they've heard before." Yes, its about tapping into schema. Good.
DeleteGood connection to your other course. Also, you do a nice job of naming specific reading strategies. I like that, and the more you do it, the better you will be able to recall and use them.
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