Picture this. What do you Mean? Dr. Constance Ulmer Appalachian State University Summer 2008

Order of the Day  What is Reading Comprehension?  Reading as literacy ?  Who are our readers?  How can we help them as readers?  Closure

Reading Comprehension “ We define reading comprehension as the process of simultaneously extracting and constructing meaning through interaction and involvement with written language. We use the words extracting and constructing to emphasize both the importance and the insufficiency of the text as a determinant of reading comprehension” NLA

Comprehension entails three elements:  The Reader who is doing the comprehending  The text that is to be comprehended  The activity (context) in which comprehension is a part Rand report, Reading for Understanding (2002)

Rosenblatt’s Reader Response & the Transactional Model Reader Text Context MEANING 1938,1968,1993

Literacy As Engagement  I start with the idea that literacy is not merely the capacity to understand the conceptual content of writings and utterances but the ability to participate fully in a set of social and intellectual practices. It is not passive but active, not imitative but creative, for it includes participation in the activities it makes possible. (xiv) James White

Adult learners- ESL Learners Consider purpose for reading-motivation Consider purpose of the author Consider background knowledge-schema) Consider text structure–levels-genres Consider context Consider cueing systems Consider the Reader

 Who are your students?  What makes an engaging environment?  How do I set up that environment?  What can be learned ?  What should be learned? Questions to Consider

Consider the Type of Reading  Implicit-Explicit  Short - Long  Narrative-Expository  Vocabulary vs. Conceptual information

Consider Strategies  Think Alouds  Pictures  KWLs Text –self Text-text Text -world  Quotes- personal narration  Smart or symbols for discussions  Alphabetic descriptions  Continued

Resources  Alverman, Donna,  Billmeyer, Rachel  Buehl, Doug  Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy  National Institute for Literacy  National Literacy Association  Rosenblatt, Louise  Vacca and Vacca  Vaughn and Estes  White, James