Examining the Comprehension Strategies and Skills Included Within Grades 3–5 Reading Textbooks

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 20
  In Roundtable Session: Considerations in Literacy Comprehension

Abstract

This study examined the comprehension skills and strategies presented in current reading textbooks used within the United States as a means of describing a contributor to the ecological component of reading. The ways in which comprehension skills and strategies are distributed across genres and connected to the National Reading Panel recommendations were also examined. Reading textbooks for Grades 3-5 from the Journeys, Open Court, Reading Street, Reach, and Wonders series were analyzed for the comprehension skills and strategies covered in each lesson. Analysis revealed a lack of coverage of comprehension skills and strategies across most textbooks. Further, comprehension skill and strategy instruction by genre was sporadic and strategies recommended by the NRP were often inadequately addressed. Practical implications are provided.

Authors

• Andrea Lynne Beerwinkle, Jacksonville State University

• Julie Owens, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Alida K Hudson, Texas A&M University - College Station