Topic: The Complexity of Meaning in Reading

10-second review: Meaning in reading goes beyond comprehension questions.

Title: “Girls As ‘Struggling Readers’: Delineating the Sociopolitical and Sociocultural Terrains of Books and Reading.” Jennifer M. Graff. Reading Research Quarterly (October/November/December 2009), 357-359.

Summary/Quote: “Although ‘gaining meaning from print has always been a goal of reading instruction’ (Venezky, 1987, p. 257), meaning extends beyond comprehension questions. It is critical that educators and students authentically dialogue about books, reading and the ways in which both are purposeful and purposeless. By distancing themselves from the current consolidation of reading as a set of skills to be mastered, and by viewing reading as complex and practices and processes involving genuine and critical inquiries of self and society, educators can better assist struggling readers in becoming lifelong readers.”

Comment: It’s about time someone said that comprehension is not simply a set of someone else’s comprehension questions. Comprehension is about ideas, one’s own questions and conclusions, and includes other people’s interpretations. RayS.