Comprehension+Cubes


 * Comprehension Cubes **

**Rationale:** I chose this strategy because I want my students to be able to answer questions about the story they just read during their guided reading session. I need to see if they understood the book and are able to recall important information from the book and answer literal questions about the story.

The comprehension cubes are used in a first and second grade special education classroom that consists of 5 students. The students range in ability level from a middle first grader to a middle second grader. The students have attention difficulties and have trouble staying on task.
 * Courses Implemented:**

**Diverse Learners:** This strategy reaches all learners because the students are engaged and using hands on material. When we use the cubes the students toss the cube on the table and then answer the question that it shows. Another way we use these cubes is letting them toss it back and forth to the other students. This allows the students to move about the room and still be engaged and learning. Visual learners are able to see the question and use the book as a resource if they are struggling. Kinesthetic learners are moving about the room and using their hand and eye coordination to catch and toss the ball while answering questions. The tactile learners get the hands on cube and are able to move about them room. The students seem to do better answering questions when they are able to stand up and let the blood flow versus sitting and listening to the teacher ask questions. It gives them a choice in their learning which is so important to them.

**Procedure:**  The students may not be able to answer the question on the cubes because they do not understand the book or could not connect with the text they read. Some students have a harder time answering outside the box questions because they do not have the background knowledge of the text or the vocabulary to help themselves out. The students may get off task if they are moving around too much and may not be focusing on the activity at hand.
 * I introduce the book that the students are going to be reading today.
 * Students read the book and think about what is happening in the book.
 * After reading we use the comprehension cubes as an after reading activity to answer questions about the book.
 * After the cubes we come back as a class and retell the story together.
 * Students take the book home to read for homework.
 * Potential Issues:**

**References:** Pavelka, P. (2008, Nov 12). //Guided Reading.// Paper presented at the Roosevelt Elementary School, Peru, IL.