Charting Stories using Maps, Webs and Plans Students who have difficulty understanding what they read or distinguishing essential from nonessential details can be assisted. Teachers can develop scaffolds that are specific to each selection to be read or use generic charts that are available in commercially produced reading series. Depending on the structure of the selection to be read, the blank chart could be organized in a chart, map or web formation. The chart could include places for setting, characters, problem, main events and solution to the problem. Charts of varying complexity can be used depending on the abilities of the student.
Strategies Read interesting selections orally to class on regular basis.
Label objects in the classroom. Use pocket charts to illustrate tracking, initial consonants, etc. Create key word and sight word cards with vocabulary that is meaningful to the child. Use cut-up sentence strips to assist with word identification and story understanding. Strategies Teach students meanings of common root words.