MODULE DESCRIPTION:

             A recent report from the National Reading Panel determined that it is critical that teachers be prepared to assist students in developing reading comprehension. Teachers must have knowledge of the important strategies readers use to problem solve, construct meaning, and recall important details about what they have read. In addition, they need to be aware of effective means of assessing comprehension and utilizing technology-based resources.

            This module will provide a basic course in comprehension as it pertains to young readers.  Key topics highlighted in the module will include evidence-based comprehension instruction, effective comprehension lessons, Question-Answer-Relationships, modes of assessment, and technology-based comprehension resources.

Instructional Proficiencies: Teachers of Students with Exceptions Needs: Mild Intervention

Standard 4 - The educator of students with exceptional needs recognizes that optimal learning relates new information to students. Performances: #1, #2, #6, #10, #12, #13

Standard 7 – The educator of students with exceptional needs understands that individualized planning is at the center of special education practice. Performances: #3, #7, #13

Standard 8 – The educator of students with exceptional needs is competent in selecting, administering, and interpreting a variety of formal and informal assessment tools and utilizes this information to design, implement, and evaluate instruction to guide students in self-assessment. Performances: #1, #2, #9, #12

Developmental Level:  Early Childhood (3-8 yrs.)  Middle Child (7-12 yrs.)

Indiana Academic Standard - English / Language Arts

Standard 2 - Comprehension

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INSTRUCTIONAL OUTCOMES:

After completing the module, the user will be able to:

1. Describe evidence-based reading instruction as it relates to comprehension.
2. List guidelines for evaluating comprehension instruction.
3. Write questions for a text that address Question-Answer Relationships (QARs)
4. Design several ways to assess comprehension of a text.
5. Familiarize oneself with technology-based resources for practicing comprehension.< 

<INSTRUCTIONAL EVENTS:

To complete this module, the student will need to:

1. Task #1 - Read several articles and outline principles, guidelines, and objectives for evidence-based comprehension instruction.

2. Task #2 - Evaluate online comprehension lessons according to guidelines for quality comprehension instruction.

3. Task #3 - Read about Question-Answer Relationships. Access an online story and write questions that address each type of question.

4. Task #4 - Review various modes of assessing comprehension. For an online story, design three different ways of assessing students’ comprehension of the story.

5. Task #5 - Review the resources and software available for reading interventions and discuss how they could be used in the classroom to improve comprehension.