Reading Comprehension

Predicting

Definition: Using clues from the text and your own knowledge to guess what might happen next.

Example: If a character packs an umbrella, you can predict it is going to rain.

Inferring

Definition: Figuring out something that the author doesn't say directly by using hints in the text and what you already know.

Example: If a story says a boy’s hands are shaking as he walks on stage, you can infer that he feels nervous.

Summarizing

Definition: Telling the most important ideas from a text in your own words — leaving out extra details or examples.

Example: A summary of The Three Little Pigs could be: three pigs build houses of different materials, and the wolf can only blow down two of them.

Synthesizing

Definition: Combining new information from the text with what you already know to form a new understanding.

Example: After reading two articles about recycling, you realize both show how small changes can help the planet — a new idea that connects both texts.

Evaluating

Definition: Judging the quality or value of a text by thinking about what you liked, what worked well, and how effectively it shared its message.

Example: You might evaluate a story and decide the ending was powerful because it gave a clear message about friendship.

making connections

Connections help you link what you read to your own experiences, other texts, and the world around you. These links make reading deeper and more meaningful. 

Why does it matter? Connections build empathy, strengthen memory, and make learning personal!

Why does it matter? Finding main ideas helps you summarize and focus on what's most important.