Reading Comprehension Work Samples

[Anonymous]

DS had a substitute teacher for all of 2nd grade Q1 due to his actual teacher being on maternity leave.

During the Q1 parent teacher conference, I was very surprised to hear from DS' actual teacher that she thinks he struggles with reading comprehension because he performed poorly in that area on the iREADY. (My hunch is that he tried to rush through it, he is notorious for doing that.) His actual teacher had only been back to the classroom from maternity leave for about a week at that point so she was basing that conclusion solely on the iREADY. My experience with his reading comprehension has been the opposite. For example, I am currently reading Harry Potter 5 to kids after dinner and DS is always amazing me with the connections he makes, his inferences, his recollection to EVERY detail and the conclusions he is making from his previous knowledge of earlier books in the series. He figures things out before I do.

I am trying to think of a work sample for the AAP application where he can show his reading comprehension skills. Any suggestions?

DS generates a ton of work that could be used as work samples in other areas. For example, he always writes stories but I'd like for him to showcase comprehension specifically.

[Anonymous]

Instead of creative writing, have him write about a book or story that he read. The plot, the characters, the setting, how he might have ended it differently, from a second grade point of view.

[Anonymous]

There's a difference between reading and listening comprehension. He's obviously doing well comprehending what you are reading aloud, but how does he do at books that he reads himself (at whatever his reading level is) and then is able to retell you parts or answer specific questions?

[Anonymous]

He also needs to be able to read all genres of passages and answer immediate questions on iReady which he is not doing. It will come with time.

[Anonymous]

Rather than work sample, maybe make this an answer on the parent/guardian questionaire to "Surprises me with their knowledge." Make sure to describe one or two specific inferences.

[Anonymous]

Can he read on his own?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's a difference between reading and listening comprehension. He's obviously doing well comprehending what you are reading aloud, but how does he do at books that he reads himself (at whatever his reading level is) and then is able to retell you parts or answer specific questions?

Yes, he is a great reader and can retell everything and answer questions a la Jacob's Ladder hence my disappointment with this iREADY score. It is just not indicative of what I see at home and unfortunately his teacher hasn't had enough exposure to his reading comprehension because of maternity leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rather than work sample, maybe make this an answer on the parent/guardian questionaire to "Surprises me with their knowledge." Make sure to describe one or two specific inferences.

Thank you! I was thinking along the same lines, appreciate the suggestion!