Area: Reading Comprehension
Strategy: Object ManipulationAppropriate Grade Level: K-3
Procedures/Steps:
- Conduct a small reading group (3-4 students), the students are given objects/toys representing the props and characters appearing in the story.
- Students take turns reading a sentence of the story and manipulating the objects. Students one reads as they manipulate the objects to play out the text. Student two will do the same until the text has been completed.
- For example: Student 1 reads, “Ben likes to ride his tractor.” Student 1 would then put the toy man on the toy tractor and roll the tractor across the table.
- After completion of the text, the classroom teach will ask comprehension questions related to the story.
Comments and/or tips:
- When first beginning this strategy, the action sentences can be marked or underlined so that the students know when to manipulate the objects.
- The names of characters or objects in the story can also be highlighted to help students identify what to manipulate.
- To prevent confusion, the teacher can read the non-action sentences when manipulation is not needed.
- This strategy increases memory of the story and accuracy of comprehension questions.
Source:
Glenberg, A. M., Brown, M., & Levin, J. R. (2006). Enhancing comprehension in small reading groups using a manipulation strategy. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 32, 389-399.