Reading Comprehension Strategies
Good readers use special strategies to understand what they read. Learn four powerful tools for your reading toolkit!
Your Reading Toolkit
Great readers do not just read words — they think while they read. Here are four strategies that help you understand and enjoy stories more.
Predicting
What might happen next?
Use clues from the story and pictures to guess what will happen. Then read on to see if you were right!
Making Connections
Does this remind me of something?
Connect the story to your own life, to other books, or to the world around you.
Text-to-Self:
"This reminds me of when I lost my teddy."
Text-to-Text:
"This is like the story of The Three Bears."
Visualising
Can I picture it in my mind?
Use the author's words to make a picture or movie in your head. Imagine the sights, sounds, and smells.
Questioning
What am I wondering about?
Ask questions before, during, and after reading. Good readers are curious readers!
Read the Passage
Read this story and try using each strategy as you go.
The Secret Den
Maya and her brother Kai were exploring the woods behind their grandmother's house. The tall trees blocked out most of the sunlight, making the forest floor dark and cool.
"Look over there!" whispered Kai, pointing to a gap between two large rocks. Behind the rocks, there was a small hidden space covered in soft green moss. Old leaves made a crunchy carpet on the ground.
Maya squeezed through the gap and gasped. On a flat stone in the middle, someone had left a small wooden box. It was covered in dust and had a tiny silver lock.
"Who do you think left this here?" asked Maya, her eyes wide with excitement. Kai shook his head. "I don't know, but we need to find the key!"
Using Our Strategies
What do you think is inside the box? Will they find the key? Maybe a treasure map or an old letter!
Have you ever found something mysterious? This is like a treasure hunt! It also reminds me of adventure stories.
I can picture the dark, cool forest. I can see the mossy den and the dusty wooden box with its silver lock. I can hear the crunchy leaves underfoot.
Who left the box there? How long has it been there? Where is the key? What is inside?
Key Vocabulary
Predicting
Using clues to guess what will happen next in a story.
Connection
A link between the story and your own life, another book, or the world.
Visualising
Making a picture or movie in your mind as you read.
Questioning
Asking questions while you read to help you understand and stay curious.
Knowledge Check
Answer these questions about The Secret Den and the reading strategies.
Question 1
Which strategy are you using when you ask: "What might happen next?"
Question 2
Where did Maya and Kai find the den?
Question 3
A reader says: "This reminds me of when I explored a cave on holiday." Which strategy are they using?
Question 4
What was on top of the flat stone in the den?
Question 5
When a reader says: "I can see the dark forest in my mind and hear the crunchy leaves," which strategy are they using?
Key Concepts Summary
- ● Predicting: Use clues to guess what might happen next.
- ● Making connections: Link the text to your life (text-to-self) or other books (text-to-text).
- ● Visualising: Create a picture or movie in your mind using the author's words.
- ● Questioning: Ask questions before, during, and after reading to stay engaged.
- ● Good readers think actively while they read — they do not just decode words.