Reading comprehension tests measure a student's ability to retain and recall main ideas and important facts about a story. They also gauge knowledge of reading skills like predicting, summarizing, and evaluating text. Preparation will differ a little with each grade.
Taking Notes
Many students think that re-reading a story will adequately prepare them for a comprehension test. However, this is not sufficient unless the reading is accompanied by good note-taking that results in a study guide the student can reference. Notes should include the main details, characters, plot, setting, and any other story elements written in outline form. Next, the student should write two or three sentences about the most important things that happened, like conflicts and resolutions.
Comprehension tests will contain questions that ask about predictions the reader made, conclusions drawn about the characters, and opinions of the story. To prepare for these, students need to practice writing short essays that address these elements. Even if the test is multiple-choice, the student will gain new insights through critical thinking, a skill beneficial in all academic areas.
Children in kindergarten and first grade will not be able to take notes themselves. The teacher can modify this strategy by writing on chart paper on the wall, on a dry-erase board, or on an overhead projector. The teacher can use story maps and idea webs or a KWL chart on which to outline the information during a whole-group discussion of the text.
Retelling
Retelling is a good way for a student to know if he can remember the basic details of the story as well as articulate and expand upon story elements. Retelling to a partner in class or to a friend or adult who has read the story is one method of doing this. Teachers may also get their classes to write a brief summary that can be checked before the assessment.
Tags: story elements