Discussing decoding, comprehension, and memory is a passion of mine. Using poems and books, I am always looking for ways to facilitate comprehension and engage younger students, I often start with simple poems. One such example is:
"What a mug of a bug
he is to lug his rug
along the kitchen floor.
Doesn't he know his rug
will tug his good things out the door?"
While this poem utilizes rhyming words that are easy to read, the meanings may not be immediately apparent to young students. Firstly, the phrase "a mug of a bug" may not be familiar to many children. To aid their understanding, I suggest replacing this phrase with "a silly bug." Prioritizing the comprehension of the text is essential.
Another challenging word in this poem is "lug." It's worth noting that English has many words that were once commonly used but have fallen out of everyday conversation. When was the last time “you” -the teacher or parent- used the words "lug" or "tug" in general conversation?
Are these words familiar to your child, or are they unknown?
Personally, my kitchen table overlooks the Hudson River, and the word "tug" is relatively common in our discussions. Tugboats frequently navigate the river during the summer. Additionally, the word "tug" can function as a noun, verb, or adjective in this context.
Considering the challenges of recalling unfamiliar words, it is important not to expect a child to "decode" them effortlessly. The more a student struggles with recall, the more it indicates that the word may be new, or unfamiliar to them. Understanding this concept, I encourage focusing on facilitating comprehension and making the text meaningful to the student – using pictures, using the words in conversation and always turning the poem into an action.
My student and I revise the poem accordingly, and we re-wrote this poem using her words.
“ What a sill buy he is to drag his rug along the kitchen floor. Doesn't he know his rug will pull his good things out the door?"
To foster responsive teaching and ensure student growth, checking in on their knowledge, understanding, and assimilation of ideas is important. This responsibility falls upon us as educators and parents.
Here are some suggestions for parents:
Take the time to repeat rhymes with children who are struggling. Rhymes can greatly aid in language development and comprehension.
Provide opportunities for children to engage with rhymes and poems, discussing their meanings and encouraging them to express their understanding.
Foster a supportive and encouraging environment, where children feel comfortable asking questions and seeking clarification when encountering unfamiliar words or concepts.is relatively common in our discussions. Tugboats frequently navigate the river during the summer. Additionally, the word "tug" can function as a noun, verb, or adjective in this context.
