When Kids Can't Read-Chapter 5

The thing I found most interesting about chapter 5 was when the author talked about how children construct meaning out of a text. "Students transact with the text, constructing meaning from the information that the author provides in the text and the information they bring to the text." Students who expect the text to provide every single piece of information are often left in confusion about the material they just read.

Students must learn that prior knowledge is essential in making connections in whatever they are reading. It is the educator's responsibility to help student make these connections and help students become better prepared before reading a text where background knowledge is needed. Sometimes the text may not provide enough information on the topic that the student is studying, and what they bring to the text is just as important as the text itself.