Ep. 200: Know Better, Do Better: Comprehension with David and Meredith Liben

In this episode, Meredith and David Liben discuss the importance of comprehension instruction, the power of questions, and the practice of close reading. They emphasize the value of curiosity, vocabulary depth, and the features of complex text. The conversation also delves into the debate around teaching comprehension strategies, the overemphasis on reading strategies, the impact of high-pressure assessments on instruction, and the need for a more comprehensive approach to reading comprehension. The speakers reflect on their own mistakes and the challenges in the field of literacy education.

Takeaways

• The power of questions lies in their ability to provide insight into a student's comprehension, encourage precise thinking, and reveal the features of a text that stumped or aided comprehension.
• Close reading serves as a valuable technique for examining the features of complex text, developing vocabulary depth, and understanding the world through text.
• The debate around teaching comprehension strategies highlights the impact of high-pressure assessments and the need to prioritize meaningful instruction over test preparation. Comprehension strategies have limitations and may not be the most effective approach to reading comprehension.
• The overemphasis on reading strategies can be detrimental to students' engagement and understanding of reading.
• Foundational skills and the science of reading play a crucial role in improving reading comprehension.
• Reflecting on mistakes and being open to learning from them is essential for progress in literacy education.

We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night.

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