- Levels 10 to 30+
- Reading ages 6 to 12
- Suitable for Years 2 to 4
1. Why was Reading Box Blue created?
John Walters, a primary school principal, noted that students were demonstrating improved decoding skills as a result of strong teaching and the implementation of the latest literacy strategies. He was keen to see that the students reading comprehension skills kept pace.
To support his teachers, John examined a wide variety of reading comprehension materials. He found that while many provided a general workout few were able to meet the specific needs or range of abilities found in both regular and multi-age classrooms. It was clear there was a need for a multi-levelled kit that provided all studentswith activities to develop skills in literal, interpretive, inferential and critical levels of reading comprehension. This kit also needed to be self-paced and self-marked, enhancing the operation of reading groups.
Design Attributes
- Experienced and well known team of authors.
- Every card in the box provides excellent practice for NAPLAN tests.
- Each card in the box has 20 or 25 questions that are self marking.
- A simple 9 minute levelling test is provided so students can be assigned to their appropriate starting level.
- The backs of each card offer a wide selection of language and reading activities.
- A list of recommendations for modelled writing is provided.
- Questioning tests the students comprehension proficiency at a literal, interpretive, inferential and critical level.
- Optional Challenges are provided on each card to extend students. These often use head or implied questions.
- A range of strategies and interesting topics have been employed to motivate and stimulate both boys and girls.
2. Suitable for both boys and girls
- Boys and girls learn differently, and have different interests.
- Different strategies and topics are employed to grab the interest of both boys and girls.
- We have surveyed both boys and girls to find out what they like to read.
We are mindful of the fact that some boys are reluctant to read so we have designed high interest cards for them that include such topics as Zepplin airships, skateboarding and soccer. Typical boys' cards deal with technology, sport, action and adventure.
Girls are catered for also. Typical cards present moral dilemma situations and positive role models such as Lee's Pony and Girls Rule Again.
Having said that, all cards in Reading Box Blue have been designed to appeal to both genders.
3. The 3H’s – Here, Hidden, Head
The reading comprehension activities provide questions that give students practice in the 3H question types. The 3H strategy divides questions into three types: HERE, HIDDEN, and HEAD:
- HERE questions are obvious in the text ie. literal
- HIDDEN questions can be drawn from one or more parts of the text
- HEAD questions require the reader to bring their own knowledge or understanding to the information given in the text