Building Comprehension Connections: Strategies and Activities for Deeper Understanding

Building Comprehension Connections: Strategies and Activities for Deeper Understanding

Have you ever read something and realized afterward that you barely understood what you read? Or have you ever heard a presentation but couldn’t recall what the speaker said? These are common examples of poor comprehension, which is the ability to understand or interpret information.

Comprehension is an essential skill that helps us make sense of the world around us. It enables us to read and write effectively, listen and communicate clearly, and critically evaluate information. However, many struggle with comprehension, which can stem from several factors, including lack of interest, difficulty with language, or cognitive challenges.

Fortunately, there are strategies and activities that can improve comprehension and deepen understanding. Here are some:

1. Activate prior knowledge: As the saying goes, “we learn by associating new information with something we already know.” Activating prior knowledge means using what you already know to build meaning and understanding of new information. For example, if you’re reading a historical novel, recalling what you already know about the period in history might help you understand the plot, setting, and characters.

2. Ask questions: Asking questions is a powerful tool that stimulates thinking and encourages active engagement with information. Encourage students to ask questions before, during, and after reading or listening to a text. For example, “What do I already know about this topic?” “What can I expect to learn?” “What surprised me?” “What didn’t I understand?”

3. Make connections: Making connections is a strategy that helps us link new information to what we already know, which can enhance understanding and retention. There are three types of connections you can make: text to self (personal experiences), text to text (connections to other texts), and text to world (connections to the larger world beyond the text).

4. Visualize: Visualization is a technique that uses mental images to enhance comprehension. Encourage students to create mental images while reading or listening to a text, which can help them imagine and remember important details.

5. Summarize: Summarizing is the process of condensing information into a brief, clear statement. Encourage students to summarize what they’ve read or heard in their own words, which can help them remember the information and identify the main ideas.

These strategies and activities can be used across disciplines and age groups to help learners improve their comprehension skills. When used effectively, they can help deepen understanding, increase retention, and engage with information on a deeper level.

In conclusion, strong comprehension skills are essential for success in academics and beyond. By using strategies such as activating prior knowledge, asking questions, making connections, visualizing, and summarizing, learners can improve their comprehension skills and achieve deeper understanding.