Reading Comprehension Programs

I like Visualizing and Verbalizing, the reading comprehension program from Lindamood Bell, a lot. It capitalizes on the need to "make a movie" in your mind about what you are reading. The program guides you through a basic picture level of visualizing through single sentences, multiple sentences, paragraphs, and longer pieces of text. I have found it particularly helpful for children who have expressive language difficulties. You can get more information about this program by going to the Lindamood Bell website or calling their publisher, Gander Educational Publishing, at 1-800-554-1819.

There are many other comprehension strategies that are effective, but I can't think of another program like Visualizing and Verbalizing that I could recommend. Use of graphic organizers for both content area text and stories can be useful to understand the underlying text structure (e.g., setting, characters, problem, actions, solution/resolution for stories; some text structures for content area text include compare/contrast; descriptive passages; cause and effect passages, etc.). You can find examples of graphic organizers for different text structures in the computer program, Inspiration. You can download a 30-day trial copy from their website. Understanding this structure helps students to make sense of text better.

There are many ways to help kids to comprehend better, but first you need to know what is getting in their way. For many more ideas about this important topic, have a look at Katherine Maria's book, Reading Comprehension Instruction: Issues and Strategies published by York Press. You can also find information and strategies to improve reading on FamilyEducation.com.