LETS'S GET CRITICAL WITH READING In the last issue of THE NEW ALADDIN we looked at some of the ways in which parents can help children develop skill in understanding what they read. This time we'll continue our explo- ration of the reading comprehension skills by focusing on a special group of abilities called critical reading skills. Whenever we use judgement and evaluation skills while we read, we are involved in critical reading. Let's put your own critical reading skills to work. In the following list, decide which skills would be classified as critical reading skills. 1. DRAWING CONCLUSIONS ABOUT SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ If this is a critical reading skill, type Y for Yes. Otherwise, press the space bar to continue. 2. FINDING ALL OF THE COMPOUND WORDS IN A STORY If this is a critical reading skill, type Y for Yes. Otherwise, press the space bar to continue. 3. DECIDING WHETHER AN ARTICLE CONTAINS FACTS OR OPINIONS If this is a critical reading skill, type Y for Yes. Otherwise, press the space bar to continue. 4. READING TO SOLVE PROBLEMS If this is a critical reading skill, type Y for Yes. Otherwise, press the space bar to continue. 5. SCANNING AN ARTICLE TO FIND A PARTICULAR WORD If this is a critical reading skill, type Y for Yes. Otherwise, press the space bar to continue. 6. PREDICTING THE OUTCOME OF A STORY If this is a critical reading skill, type Y for Yes. Otherwise, press the space bar to continue. You answered: The correct answers are highlighted: 1. Drawing conclusions about something you have read. 2. Finding all of the compound words in a story. 3. Deciding whether an article contains facts or opinions. 4. Reading to solve problems. 5. Scanning to find a particular word. 6. Predicting the outcome of a story. Critical reading involves thinking about what we have read. When we help children develop critical reading skills, we're actually helping them learn to think. There are many ways parents can foster critical reading and thinking skills. Here are some suggestions. Read newspaper articles with your child. Help you child make judge- ments about what he has read. Read the same news story in two different newspapers. Discuss what was included and what was omitted in each of these. Why are the stories different? Read a mystery story aloud with your child. Talk about the clues as they emerge in the story. Watch television plays with your child. Help him predict what will happen next. Ask your child to paraphrase what he has read. Paraphrasing makes it necessary for him to grasp the full meaning of the author's statement. One of the most important critical reading skills is problem solving. On the next several screens you will see some situations involving problems. Ask your child to read the problem and select the best solution. TOM IS HELPING HIS MOTHER BAKE A CAKE. HE SPILLS SOME MILK ON THE FLOOR. WHAT SHOULD HE DO? A. Clean it up. B. Ask his dog to lick it up. C. Pretend that it didn't happen. Type the letter which is next to the best answer. You answered: The best answer is: A. Clean it up. THE MAILMAN SEES A HUGE, SNARLING DOG AS HE APPROACHES A HOUSE. HE WANTS TO DELIVER SOME LETTERS TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE. WHAT SHOULD HE DO? A. Drop the letters as close to the house as possible. B. Wait until tomorrow to try to deliver the letters. C. Throw a stick at the dog. You answered: The best answer is: B. Wait until tomorrow to try to deliver the letters. ALICE DROPPED HER LIBRARY BOOK IN A PUDDLE. NOW IT IS RUINED. WHAT SHOULD SHE DO? A. Tell the librarian that she lost the book. B. Try to buy a book just like it at the bookstore. C. Explain to the librarian that the book fell into a puddle. You answered: The best answer is: C. Explain to the librarian that the book fell into a puddle. JEFF WANTS TO HAVE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IN THE SCHOOL PLAY. TRYOUTS ARE NEXT WEEK. WHAT SHOULD HE DO? A. Practice the part over and over until he knows it very well. B. Ask his mother to tell the teacher how much he wants the part. C. Offer to help the teacher clean up the room after school every day. You answered: The best answer is: A. Practice the part over and over until he knows it very well. BILLY HAS A VERY SORE THROAT ON THE DAY OF HIS BEST FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY PARTY. HE DOESN'T WANT TO MISS THE PARTY, BUT HE FEELS SICK. WHAT SHOULD HE DO? A. Tell his mother that he feels sick and ask for her advice. B. Ask his friend to have the party on a different day. C. Go to the party anyway. You answered: The best answer is: A. Tell his mother that he feels sick and ask for her advice. In your daily activities you'll see lots of opportunities to ask you child to solve problems. Adjust the difficulty of the task to the skill level of your child. As your child matures, talk to her about real life problems, such as overcrowded jails, welfare programs, etc. Read newspaper articles about such problems, and discuss possible solutions with your child. In this way, your child can grow to become a critical reader who will be able to apply good thinking skills to real-world problems. (Sandra Park, Ph.D. is a recognized authority in computer aided education)
