WWE 1 - a little reality check please

[annabanana1992]

DD7 (in second grade) is working through WWE workbook 1. On the narration sections, I read and ask the questions just as directed, but rarely does DD7 get the all of the questions right. She always misses at least a few. We are in week 20 by the way, and I keep thinking it will get better... any thoughts?

[Crimson Wife]

SWB has a great article with tips for narration here: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/narration.php

I would practice, practice, practice narration until your DD develops better retention.

[annabanana1992]

Thank you for the link. Our problem, however, seems to be basic comprehension which I think would be a necessary first step before one can even think about doing narration.

[deeinfl]

reread the exact passage where the answer lies, per WWE suggestions, but if I see that my son gets two or three questions wrong, I ask him if I should read the passage one more time to see how much more he will remember the second time and that has worked for us.

I never want to make him seem or think that he's failing, so I will find a way to build up his confidence so that he continues to be as enthusiastic as the previous lesson.

I don't know if I'd do well to remember all of those questions, so just re-read the sections with the answers and keep plugging along...it does get better as the habit of listening is established.

I'm learning right along with my son and I'm amazed in just a few weeks that even my retention is getting better.

HTH,

Dee in Sunny FL!

[Mallory]

I know in SOTW she says to let them look over the passage to find answers.

I wonder if you daughter would do better reading on her own or at least seeing the words while you read. It is hard for me to learn from just hearing, I need to read the words. Maybe she isn't much of an auditory learner.

Perhaps reading the questions before you read the selection, so she has something to listen for might help too.

[dcjlkplus3]

I agree with the other posters.
If I notice my dd7 is not getting the comprehension questions right I will either read it again or let her read it to me. If there is just one or two things that she missed we will reread that particular part again.
I have noticed she retains better reading than listening and that her narrations are improving...just slowly.

[CactusPair]

To help my dd's comprehension, I read the passage twice or even three times. Sometimes she follows along in the book as I read aloud the 2nd time. I find that reading it 2x makes a very big difference to her comrehension and confidence.

If she still has trouble answering, we go back and I read that section again slowly. Sometimes I have to emphasize the right words with my voice.

Sometimes I ask prompting questions to get to the right answer for the book's question.

My dd is in 1st. She is a strong visual learner, so listening closely is a new skill for her this year. She's getting better, but the start was a little frustrating.

Try reading it more than once, if you haven't already. I don't think it's cheating at all if the dc are learning, improving, and enjoying the experience. Building the skill is what it's all about.:001_smile:

[annabanana1992]

Thank you so much ladies - your suggestions are great!

[FlockOfSillies]

I'm teaching a 9yo, 6yo, and 5yo. When reading in science, I stop after every paragraph or short section to ask questions. This has helped the kids' retention immensely, especially for the littles.

Give it a try with WWE. Your dd may need smaller pieces to chew on so that her mind doesn't wander. Gradually she'll be able to hear longer sections and retain them.