I Read It, but I Don't Get It: Comprehension Strategies for Adolescent Readers

Cris Tovani's book is an eye-opener! I was more than impressed with the ideas Tovani presented for helping reading teachers help their students. I have suspected for a long time that there are students who can read and do read, but they fail to understand the concept of what they have read. Tovani herself admits that she struggled with reading. Many people can read; however, the things they have gleaned from their reading is hard for them to dissect and analyze. Also, many high school students in the US are graduating, yet they have only read several books (many of them not even finishing the entire book they read). With so many students faking their way through reading, this should be a concern. Reading and being able to read critically are two different things. (It’s like someone being able to speak a language fluently, but not understanding what they say.) I think that is a problem. Tovani wants teachers of reading to understand that they need to help their students. After all, reading is used not only in an English class, but in math, science, history, and etc. 21st century students need to not only be able to read, but they also should be able to analyze what they have read. Now having read this book, I want to incorporate her strategies for helping students become readers who read it, and they get it. I found it insightful how she would make a connection with her students by being humble. She made sure her students would understand, she also struggled with being an analytical reader. I think that is key for a reading teacher. Many students may feel like they are “stupid” and not “born” to be good readers. I found that to be sad. I know that I have had encounters with students like that. Students who say they are not born to be good readers. They fail to understand that it requires practice. Nobody is born a “good” reader. Therefore, as a future teacher of reading, I want my students to know that any person can become a “good” reader.