November 3, 2014

In the article by Sharon Gill, we begin to understand the Comprehension Matrix and how we can organize our activities into pre-reading, during reading, and post-reading.

Gill also writes about the three theories involved in comprehension: Schema, Transactional,  Constructivist.

I believe that teachers can create an environment that works for all three of these theories.

Schema involves a readers use of prior knowledge to make sense of new information. Teachers could devise a lesson plan that surrounds some elemental part of the story they are reading.

For example, if students watch a video and paint a picture of a butterfly, then read a text about the migrating monarchs, their confusion will be less likely..while an interest increase will be more likely.












Transactional surrounds the idea that different experiences = different meaning. Readers will adopt either a efferent (Take away information) or aesthetic (Take away experiences).
A good example of this is what Halloween means to an American L1 student vs a Spanish L2 student. Latino culture typically do not celebrate Halloween so a teacher must make sure that this holiday is defined to the L2's and that their culture is also described to L1s.

A good way to sort out this theory is by asking; Why am I reading this. A pintrest user created a bookmark/checklist to promote this thought.

Constructivist theory uses the construction of their ow knowledge by making connections. Gill stated that reading, writing, drawing, graphic organizers, etc are a great because they help build and extend comprehension.