Comprehension means making sense of what is read. It is the goal of all the other pieces. When a reader has a large vocabulary and can read fluently, they have improved comprehension.

There are many facets of comprehension, but the most basic form is retelling. Once a student has read a section or a chapter, put the book down and retell what that section was about. What happened? Where did that section take place? Who was involved? Retell the events in order. 

In order for a retelling to be most effective, I encourage students to say it out loud. This may feel strange at first, but it really helps the reader to say and hear their own retelling. It could feel less awkward to say your retelling to a person, stuffed animal, or pet.