In order to build and demonstrate comprehension, students have to weave together a complex set of underlying skills, from word recognition to language comprehension. Focusing on the five upper strands of Scarborough’s Reading Rope – background knowledge, vocabulary, language structures, verbal reasoning, and literacy knowledge – this course will explore practical ways to support student understanding at each stage. Thoughtful lesson design can create opportunities for students to engage more deeply with texts and develop a stronger understanding of what they read. By strengthening these interconnected skills, students can cultivate a more robust and flexible approach to reading comprehension.
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Distinguish between each of the language comprehension strands of Scarborough’s Reading Rope
- Plan a comprehension lesson targeting background knowledge, vocabulary, language structures, verbal comprehension, and text literacy knowledge
- Consider appropriate activities for before, during, and after reading
- Develop post-reading activities that demonstrate comprehension
Level
This seminar is appropriate for educators at the elementary and middle school levels.
Materials
Materials will be provided on-site.
Graduate Credit
There is an option to add one (1) graduate credit to this 2-day course from Fitchburg State University. Graduate credit is optional; the cost is $210 and the non-refundable payment is made directly to Fitchburg. The timeline to opt into graduate credit is firm and details will be available once the course begins so you can make your final decision at that time.
Additional Course Logistics
- Delivery mode: In-person.
- Attendance: Live, on the date and time listed in the course information section.
