Episode description

Nancy Hennessy and Julia Salamone discuss the importance of vocabulary and syntax in reading comprehension. They explain how vocabulary connects to reading comprehension and the different levels of word knowledge. They also emphasize the need for explicit instruction in vocabulary and the role of context in understanding word meaning. They also discuss the connection between semantics and syntax and how understanding sentence comprehension is crucial for overall comprehension. They share instructional activities such as anagrams and sentence expansion to support sentence level comprehension. The conversation explores the integration of reading and writing, the importance of language in reading proficiency, and different ways students can express their understanding through oral responses, multimedia, and written responses as tools for comprehension and expression. 

• Vocabulary plays a critical role in reading comprehension and is connected to all aspects of language.
• Different levels of word knowledge serve different purposes, and depth of understanding is crucial for overall comprehension.
• Syntax provides the structure for words to convey meaning in sentences, and an understanding of syntax is essential for sentence comprehension.
• Instructional activities such as anagrams and sentence expansion can support sentence level comprehension and foster collaboration and discussion among students. Integration of reading and writing is crucial for student learning.
• Language is the foundation of reading proficiency.
• Students can express their understanding through oral response, multimedia, and written responses.
• The book provides practical strategies and tools for teachers to support reading comprehension.
• The authors wrote the book to bridge the gap between research and practice and provide teachers with additional resources.

Resources

• The Reading Comprehension Blueprint Activity Book by Nancy Hennessy & Julia Salamone
• The Literacy House - Pam Snow Blog Post 

We answer your questions about teaching reading in The Literacy 50-A Q&A Handbook for Teachers: Real-World Answers to Questions About Reading That Keep You Up at Night.

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