Tutor and Teacher Educational Resources

Last week’s Blog post explained how making connections is a useful reading comprehension strategy.  This post will describe some other reading comprehension strategies that can be used to improve reading comprehension such as asking questions, visualizing and inferring.

Asking questions: Improve reading comprehension by asking questions

One problem some students have is not being about to understand or recall the information they just read.  Asking questions about the text while reading improves reading comprehension because it causes the reader to stop and consider what they are reading.  If a student is reading and there is something that doesn’t make sense, they should write the question down on a sticky note and place it on the page to ask a teacher or reading tutor later. Students can also write down vocabulary words that they are not familiar with and look them up in the dictionary while they are reading so they are able to gain a better understanding of what they are reading.

Visualizing: Increase reading comprehension by visualizing the text           

A common way that educators test students for reading comprehension is to give students a portion to read and then ask them questions about the text.  If a student has a hard time recalling events from the text, sometimes it helps to practice visualizing. Visualizing helps people to remember just about anything; including people’s names, places and events.  This principle of visualization applies to reading as well.  By asking students to close their eyes and picture everything that is occurring in the text it will help them to be able to recall the events and details from the text.

Inferring: Gain a better understanding of the text by inferring

Writers use foreshadowing to activate inferences and predictions from the reader.  If students are not interested in what they are reading in can be difficult to keep them focused on what is going on in the text. By encouraging students to make inferences about what they are reading they will be helped to stay connected and invested in the text.  Teachers and reading tutors can help draw out a student’s thoughts and considerations of the text by asking them questions like, “what do you think this character meant when they said this”, or “what do you think the character will do next”? These are things that might not be clearly spelled out in the text, but can be inferred by taking the time to consider what is happening. This practice of inferring while reading keeps the reader interested in what they are reading and wanting to read more to find out what happens next.

Practice reading comprehension strategies regularly

By implementing these reading comprehension strategies, students will begin to use these strategies unconsciously. Without the proper reading comprehension skills, reading can be difficult and frustrating.  However, once a student learns how to read using some reading strategies, reading can become an enjoyable experience.  Being able to read and understand the text is exciting and freeing, and it opens the door to unlimited knowledge, entertainment and adventure.

In educational systems throughout the world reading comprehension is emphasized in all levels of education and is a skill that is useful even after completing one’s schooling.  Reading skills are not merely the ability to sound out words and read them with proper pronunciation and intonation. The goal of reading is to be able to comprehend the meaning of the text.

Why is reading comprehension important?

Whether a text is conveying historical facts, telling a funny story, giving a detailed description of how to perform a certain task or presenting reasons why a person should or should not do something, the important thing is to be able to understand what the text is actually saying.  Making connections is a reading comprehension strategy used by educators to help students improve their reading comprehension.

Making connections with the text

One way to improve reading comprehension is to make connections with the text.  There are three types of connections that can be made while reading.  There are personal connections, connections with other books and connections with things in the outside world.

How does making connections improve reading comprehension?

When someone can make a conscious association with something that they have personally experienced, read about or heard about, it becomes easier for them to relate to the text and understand what is happening.  They are also more likely to be interested in the text once they’ve made a connection to something that they already know or are familiar with.

How can connections be made while reading?

A simple way to help children get started making connections is to give them an opportunity to share their connection either out loud or by writing it down.  A teacher or reading tutor might provide students with sticky notes that they can write on and place on the pages in their book.

Here is an example of how a reading tutor might incorporate this into a lesson plan.  They could introduce the concept of making connections by reading a book aloud to the student and pausing after each section to state a personal connection they have with the text.  Then the reading tutor can have the student practice this. When the student reads a page of the book, they should be asked to write something like “this reminds me of when I went on a road trip with my family and I saw…”

Another reading strategy is to make a connection with other texts that were read previously.  Students should be prompted to write something like this on their sticky note: “this reminds me of what I read in another book where…”

Connections can also be made with things that the student has learned about just by living in the world today.  When reading a book about outer space a student might write “this reminds me of something I saw on the news about…”

Further application of this reading strategy

When students are first learning how to read it is important that someone like a teacher, parent or reading tutor demonstrates how to make connections to the text while reading.  By modeling this reading strategy and teaching the students how to use this strategy on their own, students will be able to continue to improve their reading comprehension throughout their school years and for the rest of their lives.

This reading strategy is explained in more detail in the book “Reading with Meaning: Teaching Comprehension in the Primary Grades” by Debbie Miller.

Educational apps for kids are becoming more and more popular for children of all ages.  You can download a wide variety of educational apps for kids and teenagers on your tablet, smart phone and other devices.  Here is a list of 5 affordable educational apps for kids that your children will find entertaining and useful as learning tools for all subjects.

Educational apps for kids: Numbers and Counting

Toddler Counting 123 (FREE)  

This is a free app that will keep your toddler’s attention and help them learn how to count in up to 8 different languages.  Your child will get to interact with real pictures that represent each number.  Your child will think this app is a game, but this is an educational app for kids that will help them learn their numbers as a foundation for future learning.

Educational apps for kids: ABCs 

Scout’s ABC Garden ($1.99) 

This educational app was created by LeapFrog Enterprises as a fun way for young children to learn the letters in the alphabet as well as the sounds letters make to form words.  This app uses music to teach kids the letters of the alphabet and the sounds each letter makes.  It also helps children learn how to spell, how to count, and how to identify colors.  This app for kids works just like the other products by LeapFrog.  It will make learning the ABC’s fun for kids.

Educational apps for kids: Reading

The Magic School Bus Oceans by Scholastic  ($7.99) 

This reading app turns The Magic School Bus Oceans book into an interactive experience.  It features a variety of different characters’ voices that read the book aloud with good intonation and expression.  The app also highlights the word being read so the child can follow along.  Learning to read is exciting and entertaining with this app, and the book is full of science related facts.  This app is a little more pricey than the others, but you can try out the preview for free.

Educational apps for kids: Math

Math Bingo ($0.99) 

This math app gives kids the opportunity to practice their math facts while playing a fun game.  Kids can select either addition, subtraction, multiplication, division or a combination of math problems for each Bingo game.  By solving math problems and selecting the correct answer on the Bingo board kids can begin to work towards a Bingo.  Once there are 5 numbers on the board in a row a BINGO is achieved and the player earns BINGO bug that can be played with as a reward.

Educational apps for kids: French Language

Gus on the Go: French ($4.99)

For children growing up in Canada, learning French is a requirement for most kids at some point during their schooling.  Gus on the Go: French is a language learning app that introduces kids to a new language in a fun and engaging way.  This app can be used to supplement other French learning that is taking place at school.

Try out these educational apps for kids and let us know what you think.  If you have any favorite educational apps that your kids love let us know in the comments section.  Who said learning can’t be fun?

Today’s teenagers are constantly absorbed in their smart phones.  Does your teen spend an outrageous amount of time on their phone? Are they continuously texting, using facebook, and watching videos on YouTube?  Rather than trying to enforce strict time limits for phone use, consider getting educational apps for teenagers that can be used anytime on smart phones, tablets or handheld devices.  Here are 5 educational apps for teenagers.

Science related educational apps for teenagers:

3D Brain (FREE)

This app is great for biology students who are studying the parts and functions of the brain.  It is easy to see each part of the brain on the clearly labeled rotating 3D image with corresponding facts about each part.  This app is easy to use and much more interesting than studying from a textbook.

Geography related educational apps for teenagers:

Stack the Countries (Lite version is FREE)

Stack the Countries Lite is a geography app that can be downloaded for free.  The full version can also be purchased for $1.99. This app is a fun, educational game that familiarizes students with the countries around the world.  The main emphasis is for students to be able to identify the countries based on their shape as well as by answering questions about specific countries.

Vocabulary apps for teenagers:

SAT Vocab Mindsnacks: (FREE)

Whether you are studying for an exam like the SAT or you desire to expand your vocabulary, this app is a fun way to incorporate new words into your vocabulary.  This is one of many educational apps for teenagers that focus on vocabulary words, but this one is particularly fun and will motivate teenagers and adults to spend more time studying vocabulary words by playing games and using pictures to associate with the words.

Language Learning educational apps for teenagers:

Babble: (FREE)

This app can be downloaded onto smart phones, tablets and computers for free. Upgrades are available for purchase if you desire to continue with more lessons.  There are 13 languages to choose from including French, Spanish, German and more.  This app makes language learning fun and accessible.  For those who are required to study a foreign language this is a great educational app for teenagers to use while deciding what language to study, or to stay current with their language learning.

Math educational apps for teenagers:

Motion Math: ($1.99)

Motion Math is a great way for students to practice their fraction skills in a way that can improve the understanding and recognition of fractions for future learning.  This is not just a game, but it is a useful educational app for teenagers to use to improve their familiarity with fractions.  High school students can use this app to brush up on old fraction knowledge so that it becomes fresh knowledge that is ready to be applied in class and in everyday life.

These 5 apps are either completely free or under $2.00, so why not give them a try and encourage your child to spend time using these effective educational apps for teenagers. Smart phones and other electronic devices for teens don’t have to be purely recreational or social devices; they can also be used to enhance learning.  There are hundreds of other apps available for educational and learning purposes that are readily available to you and your children.

Caught up in the world wide “web” instead of using educational websites for homework help? If Facebook interfering with your child’s homework and you find it impossible to pry the cell phone out of your teenager’s hand for five minutes, you’re likely not alone. With modern advancements in technology, staying connected to social networks is almost constant.  No one can deny the usefulness of tools like cell phones with data that can be accessed from anywhere, texting to quickly communicate, or social media as a way to stay current with more friends than one could possibly spend time with on a daily basis.

Young people today take advantage of these tools, but it comes with a price. Being constantly preoccupied with electronic devices can be just distracting enough to impair a student’s ability to learn properly and be able to apply what they are learning.

How can parents help their children be free from the distractions on the world wide web?

During homework time cell phones should be off limits.  Even adults could benefit from turning off their cell phone when it’s time to work. It is hard to limit what websites are being visited while using the internet for studying. Make it a rule that only websites that are relevant to the specific task your child is working on can be visited. Clearly communicate which websites are off limits during homework time. No Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or other entertainment websites.

The web is a fantastic tool, as long as it is used properly. Here are some top educational websites that you should encourage your child to use during homework time.

Educational websites for doing research:

When it’s time to do a research project there is no longer the need to lug home a heavy bag of history books from the library. Today most things you need to know are on the Internet. It is helpful if you know what sites to go to in order to find the most pertinent and useful information. Wikipedia is an excellent source for looking up just about anything. Such a wide variety of research has never been so easily accessible in one place.

Math homework help websites:

Math.com provides homework help for Pre Algebra, Algebra and Geometry as well as math practice for basic math skills. Students can click on the subject they are currently learning about and find a step by step explanation of how to understand each mathematical concept.

Translation websites for help with school work:

For students who are learning a new language or if English is not their first language, sometimes there is the need to translate a webpage or portions of a textbook that are difficult to understand.  Looking up words in a foreign language can be a daunting task as well, but now it is easier than ever with online translation websites. There are plenty of free translation tools on the web such as Google Translate or SDL Free Translation.

Search engines for homework help:

Search engines can be used to look up all sorts of random things, and should not be used for looking up anything other than the homework help material during homework time.  Basic search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo etc. are great for asking questions about any subject.  Parents should help their child choose the websites that look the most promising based on the snippets shown on the search engine page.  Parents and tutors alike can help their child use some discernment to identify sites that are trying to sell something, versus sites that have genuinely useful information about the subject at hand.