Comprehension

Synthesis: 
Hinchman text:
Fisher and Frey went through various reading strategies including having a purpose for reading, modeling, close reading, and other strategies that include a focus on self-questioning, summarizing, inferencing, self-monitoring, connection, and analysis. I liked how they stressed the importance of using a variety of texts across the contents so that students can make connections between different subjects. I also thought their emphasis on all kinds of discussions was insightful.

Jetton text:
They stressed that texts can and should come from a variety of different sources and that teachers need to be "flexible and open to various options" (92).  They also believe that teachers need to use a cyclic planning process and take their students' socio-economic and cultural backgrounds into consideration when planning.  Learning goals are important as are some of the same strategies Fisher and Frey outlined: purposeful reading, questioning, inferencing, cross-curricular connections, and discussion.


Connection:
Text-to-self:
The articles validated what I do in my own classroom.  We do a lot of close readings, and after readings, we have activities to summarize, inference, visualize, and reflect on the text they completed.  We also have a lot of discussions about the text as a whole class as well as in small groups.  Finally, I try to connect our readings and vocabulary with what they are studying in their other core classes.  I think that the strategies have helped my students increase their comprehension overall.

Text-to-text:
The articles remind me of several articles we've read and studied during our CT time at school as well as departmental meetings.  I think they are applicable to any content and could easily be integrated into any class.

Text-to-world: 
I think more emphasis needs to be put on making connections between core classes.  I know that would have made learning a lot easier on me when I was in school, so I try to have students make as many connections as they can through readings, vocabulary, and any questions they may have.

Questions:
Has anyone tried the RAP IT comprehension strategy with any success?
What types/formats of discussions have you had success with in your classroom?