Third grade is an amazing and, sometimes, challenging year for students. In turn, it can be challenging for families who are tasked with helping their third grader with the very important skill of “comprehension”.
If you’ve been told that your third grader needs help with reading comprehension, or you’re here to get ahead of the curve, keep reading.
What is Reading Comprehension?
Reading comprehension is a crucial skill that lays the foundation for academic success and lifelong learning. As your child enters third grade, their reading abilities become more advanced, and instead of learning how words work, and learning “how” to read, NOW they’re reading to learn.
Basically, while they read, instead of thinking about what the word is, reading is automatic. Now that they’re reading fluently, they begin to tackle more complex texts across various subjects. They now have to apply strategies while “think” through the information in each text.
As a parent or caregiver, you play a vital role in supporting your child’s reading development. If your child can read fluently, but doesn’t understand or remember what they read, here are three effective ways to help:
1. Read Everyday
It sounds obvious but it’s by far the most important. One of the most effective ways to enhance your child’s reading comprehension is to foster a love for reading. It’s not too late if your child is a reluctant reader. Set aside dedicated time for reading each day and create a comfortable reading environment at home. Take them on a trip to the local library and allow your child to choose books that interest them, as this will instill a sense of ownership and motivation in their reading journey.
As they read, talk to them about the events in the story. If it’s a fictional story, ask about the plot. Who were the characters and what was their problem? What does your student think about how they chose to solve it? Encourage them to share their thoughts, predictions, and any questions they may have. These conversations not only strengthen their comprehension but also develop critical thinking skills. Additionally, it’s a great opportunity to bond with your child over stories and knowledge.
2. Teach Active Reading Strategies
As your student gains more practice reading, help them apply active reading strategies to help them “hold on” to the information they’re gaining. Active reading strategies help students become more engaged with the text and encourage deeper understanding. Here are a few that can increase comprehension:
a. Pre-reading: Before diving into a new text, encourage your child to preview the material. Look at the title, headings, and any visual aids like pictures, charts, or graphs. Ask them what they expect the text to be about based on these clues. This activates their prior knowledge and sets a purpose for reading.
b. Questioning: Teach your child to ask questions while reading. These questions can be about the characters, the main idea, or anything they find confusing. Questioning keeps them actively thinking and seeking answers as they read further.
c. Summarizing: After reading a section or chapter, have your child summarize what they’ve just read in their own words. This exercise helps them process information and identify the essential points of the text.
d. Making Connections: Encourage your child to make connections between the text and their own experiences or other books they’ve read. Relating the material to their lives helps deepen their understanding and makes reading more enjoyable.
3. Expand Vocabulary and Language Skills
A strong vocabulary is crucial for reading comprehension. Help your child expand their word bank by introducing new words regularly. Encourage them to look up unfamiliar words in the dictionary and use them in sentences to reinforce their understanding.
Playing word games and engaging in language-rich activities can also be beneficial. Crossword puzzles, word searches, and even word association games can make learning new words fun.
Furthermore, read aloud to your child regularly. Listening to fluent reading models proper intonation and expression, which aids comprehension. Be sure to pause and discuss challenging words or phrases, providing explanations and context as needed.
In conclusion, supporting your third grader’s reading comprehension involves creating a positive reading environment, teaching active reading strategies, and expanding their vocabulary. By doing so, you’ll not only enhance their academic performance but also instill a lifelong love for reading and learning. Remember, the journey to becoming a strong reader is a gradual one, so be patient and celebrate every step of progress along the way.
These comprehension resources were made specifically with third graders in mind. for resources that can help your third grader increase their comprehension.
Happy reading!