Literacy Project: Exemplary Practices
Research Project
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to improve student reading comprehension by activating students’ prior knowledge, monitoring comprehension, summarizing reading assignments using graphic organizers, and improving attitudes about reading and writing. Second semester freshmen college students on academic probation were randomly selected to participate. Students were introduced to KWL (What I Know, What I Want to know, and What I Learned) during the first week of the study. Think Aloud Self-Evaluation was introduced in the fourth week, and summary writing with graphic organizers was introduced in the seventh week. The students applied all strategies to their course work until the end of the semester. Students were successful using KWL since they practiced it throughout the intervention. Think Aloud Self-Evaluation and summary writing with graphic organizers were somewhat successful due to the fact that they were introduced when students were under peak academic pressure.