The Super Six literacy strategies are a set of powerful comprehension techniques designed to improve reading skills. They are:
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Making Connections: Readers actively link the text to their own experiences, prior knowledge, or other texts. This creates deeper understanding and engagement. Example: While reading about a character facing a difficult decision, a student might connect it to a similar situation they faced.
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Predicting: Readers use clues from the text to anticipate what will happen next. This encourages active engagement and improves focus. Example: After reading the first paragraph, a student might predict the overall theme or the main character's ultimate goal.
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Questioning: Readers formulate questions before, during, and after reading. This promotes critical thinking and deeper comprehension. Example: A student might ask "Why did the character act that way?" or "What will happen next?".
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Monitoring Comprehension: Readers actively check their understanding as they read. This involves identifying confusion and employing strategies to resolve it. Example: If a student doesn't understand a word or sentence, they stop to look it up or reread it. This is often referred to as self-monitoring.
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Visualizing: Readers create mental images of what they are reading. This enhances understanding and memory. Example: A student might imagine the setting, characters, or events described in the text.
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Summarizing: Readers condense the main points of the text. This demonstrates understanding and aids in retention. Example: A student might briefly recount the key events or the central theme of a story.
These strategies, often used together, empower students to become more active and engaged readers, improving their comprehension and enjoyment of reading. The Super Six are widely used in literacy instruction as a foundation for effective reading comprehension.
