Reading and Connecting

Good readers make connections while they read.  One of the comprehension strategies I focus on is making connections.  Examples of connections are: connecting text to self, connecting text to the world, and connecting text to other texts.  Here’s how it works.  Let’s assume the story is a fictional piece about frogs who don’t like to share –  It’s Mine by Leo Lionni, for example.

For the first type of connection, text to self, students are asked if they can connect to a part of the story or “What does it remind you of ?” More specifically, “Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t want to share?”   They should respond with a similar experience they’ve had.  Then they give a reason for the connection, “I can understand how the frog feels, because I don’t always like to share either.”

When making the second type of connection, text to world, students are asked if they know something about the topic.  For example, before reading the story a connection could be made regarding the setting.  “What do you know about where frogs live?”  Students should connect to what they already know about frogs’ habitat.  Discuss how this connection will help them understand the story.

For the third type of connection, text to text, students are asked if this story reminds them of anything else they’ve read.  They might respond that they’ve read a book about frogs, but a better connection might be a book about characters learning to share.  We always strive for a deeper connection that will help broaden the understanding of the story.  Probe, “ How was this story similar?  Explain.” 

Finally, students always need to verbalize how the connection helps them understand something in the story.   Experienced readers make these connections inherently.  Emerging readers need to be taught to do this explicitly.  The more opportunities where they are guided through this process, the more of a chance it will become automatic.  Give it a try at home!