The CAFE strategy of "Monitoring for Understanding" helps students become active readers by paying attention to their comprehension while reading. They learn to self-assess their understanding, use strategies like rereading or asking questions when confused, and make adjustments to enhance comprehension. By monitoring their understanding, students stay engaged, clarify confusion, and ensure they comprehend the text's meaning. This strategy empowers first graders to take ownership of their learning and develop effective reading habits.
Goals for Monitoring for Understanding:
Goal 1: Active Engagement
Students will actively engage with the text by paying attention to the story, using strategies such as tracking words with their finger, rereading when necessary, and self-checking for understanding.
Goal 2: Self-Questioning
Students will develop the habit of asking themselves questions while reading to monitor their comprehension, ensuring that they understand the main ideas, events, and characters in the text.
Goal 3: Metacognition
Students will become aware of their own thinking processes while reading, recognizing when they understand the text and when they may need to adjust their reading strategies.
Goal 4: Clarifying Strategies
Students will learn and utilize strategies to clarify any confusion or unclear parts of the text, such as rereading, looking for context clues, or asking for help when needed.
Goal 5: Making Connections
Students will make connections between what they are reading and their prior knowledge, actively seeking to relate the text to their own experiences, other texts, or the world around them.
Read Aloud Books:
"The Pigeon Needs a Bath!" by Mo Willems
This humorous book allows students to monitor their understanding by predicting what the pigeon needs and why, and confirming their predictions as the story progresses.
"Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak
Students can monitor their understanding as they follow Max's imaginative journey and interpret the emotions and actions of the wild things.
"The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn
This heartwarming story about separation and reassurance allows students to monitor their understanding by connecting with the emotions of the main character, Chester.
"Caps for Sale" by Esphyr Slobodkina
As they listen to this tale of a cap peddler and mischievous monkeys, students can monitor their understanding by predicting how the peddler will solve his problem.
"The Day the Crayons Quit" by Drew Daywalt
This book prompts students to monitor their understanding by considering the emotions and perspectives of the crayons and predicting how the story will unfold.
"Giraffes Can't Dance" by Giles Andreae
Students can monitor their understanding as they follow Gerald the Giraffe's journey and reflect on his emotions, obstacles, and ultimate success.
"The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" by Jon Scieszka
This humorous retelling allows students to monitor their understanding by considering the wolf's perspective and comparing it to the traditional story.
"The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds
Students can monitor their understanding by reflecting on Vashti's journey of self-expression and creativity, connecting it to their own experiences.
"Interrupting Chicken" by David Ezra Stein
This amusing story prompts students to monitor their understanding by predicting when and how the little chicken will interrupt the bedtime stories.
"The Gingerbread Man" (various versions)
Students can monitor their understanding as they follow the gingerbread man's journey, predicting the actions of the characters and the potential outcome.