Almost every standardized test your child will take measures Reading and Math. In this part of the series we will focus on Reading Comprehension.
Much of the test is a text (or two) followed by questions. Your child will be more efficient if s/he reads the questions first and then searches the passage to find the answer.
How to Practice
Give your child a page from a practice test. Fold the page between the text and the questions. Put the question side up first. After s/he reads the questions, unfold the page and let her/him read the passage to find out the answers.
Here’s the link where you can get some practice questions:
www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/css05rtq.asp
Most of the Reading Comprehension questions are divided into one of three categories:
1. Point to it
The answer is right there in the passage and the child can point right to it.
“What is Carlos’ favorite food?”
2. Search it out
The answer exists in the text, but the child needs to gather information from various parts to create the answer. “What is the same each morning?”
3. Reflection
This type of question requires the child to use her/his own background knowledge plus what s/he knows from the passage to answer. “How do you think Carlos feels at the end?”
How to Practice
By being able to identify the type of question, your child can more efficiently understand where to look for the answer. As your child is reading the practice questions, ask her/him to identify the type of question with a hand signal: point to the paper if it is a “point to it” question. Hold your imaginary binoculars up to your eyes if it is a “search it out” question and put your finger to your brain if it is a “reflection” question.
Knowing story structure is another way that leads students to the correct answer more quickly. Most stories will have a clear beginning, middle and end.
Answers about the setting can usually be found in the beginning of the text.
Answers about the problem will normally come in the middle.
Answers about the solution will most often be at the end.
How to Practice
As your child reads the questions, ask him or her where s/he thinks the answer will be: beginning, middle, or end. Then let your child check to see if s/he was right.
If you make these techniques feel like a game then you and your child will have a fun together while gaining some great tricks for the big test.
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