Literacy

The Simple View of Reading - Comprehension

Reading is about so much more than being able to decode the words on the page. 

Although this is a very important start! The Simple View of reading pictured below illustrates that decoding and language comprehension together, equal reading comprehension.

This idea is further unpacked in Scarborough’s rope where decoding is broken down into the elements of word recognition and language comprehension.

Combined these models show how students move from ‘learning to read’ which largely refers to the word recognition and decoding aspects of reading, to then around year 2, beginning to ‘read to learn’ . In this stage students become more skilful readers applying their skills to develop deeper comprehension skills to more deeply understand texts they read.

So how do we continue to develop our highly able readers skills and reach this higher level of reading comprehension?

Question Matrix

One way we develop reading in our fluent students is through the use of a question matrix.

A question matrix is a tool designed with the purpose of introducing us to a hierarchy of questioning. Designed similar to Bloom’s taxonomy or Higher Order Thinking (HOT) questions.

This resource can be used both by teachers, students and parents to develop questioning and reasoning skills. The deeper the question, the more challenge you a providing for the students.

Reading Question Matrix

Use the reading questioning matrix to help you use different kinds of questioning as you read with a child.

The boxes are there to help you structure your questions e.g. Who could…? How might…? Why is…? etc.

All readers should be asked questions from the red/orange sections, proceeding diagonally toward the bottom right, along the matrix towards the blue/purple end.

These latter questions will be trickier to answer and require a deeper level of understanding and discussion about the story to answer.

Sarah Watkins

Acting Assistant Principal

Learning specialist