A Reading comprehension continuum, specific objectives, and sample tests, kindergarten through grade six

Includes bibliographical references (pages 128-132)This project developed a continuum, specific objectives, and sample tests for the reading comprehension skills from kindergarten through sixth grade to facilitate the teaching of reading comprehension. Previous research in the field of reading comprehension was examined, and twenty-seven separate reading comprehension skills were identified from a review of the literature. The skills isolated were a compilation of the reading comprehension skills defined by the research.\ud The twenty-seven skills arranged along a continuum based on previously developed hierarchies of reading comprehension skills were divided into three categories: (1) literal, which is the ability to understand specifically stated facts and ideas; (2) interpretive, which is the ability to extend ideas beyond the information given, in order to infer information, consequences, and analogies; and (3) critical, which is the ability to judge the veracity, validity or worth of what is read.\ud The objectives stated in behavioral terms were written for each reading comprehension skill, and sample tests were constructed for each objective. A flow chart was written indicating the grade level at which each skill on the Reading Comprehension Continuum should be introduced, extended or tested. The grade level placement was determined by various sequential skill continua and cognitive levels of development. After a skill is introduced in one grade, it is then reinforced with progressively more sophisticated questions in the following grades.\ud The separate skills of word analysis, vocabulary and study skills, although contributing to reading comprehension, are not included on the Reading Comprehension Continuum developed for this project, because they comprise an area of study unto themselves.\ud Three sample diagnostic tests were designed to ascertain the reader's development along the Reading Comprehension Continuum. A check list which corresponds to the test was included to provide an immediate summary of the reader's strengths and weaknesses in reading comprehension