That's just like...

Making connections is one of the things we do.  Anytime we learn something new, what do we do? We think about what we already know that is similar, make a connection.  When we read, we make a text to text or book to book connection.   We read and the current book reminds us of a previously read book.  Another type of connection we make is a text to self.   The book we are reading reminds us of something we have done, have experienced.  The last type of connection we can make is a text to world.   This is the hardest type of connection to make.   We can connect the book we are reading to a world issue,  problem or event.

Some children make connections naturally.  I was working with teachers today and they were expressing though, how difficult it was for their little kiddos.  It shouldn't be.

I am not saying you now have to start saying, oh you just made a text to text connection.  I am suggesting you make connections for children when they happen naturally and use natural language.  For example, if you are getting ready to have a sleepover, you could say, you are having a sleepover, that's just like when we read the book, Ira Sleeps Over.  After reading a book, if it makes sense you could say, this book reminds me of......(book).  It's just like ...(book).  If you are reading a book about kids going to a playground, you might say, that's just like when we go to the playground.

Making connections is an important piece in reading comprehension.

Try it, you will see it's not that hard.