Making Connections: An Explanation

Last week and this week, we have focused on making connections in reading. This allows for students to connect what they are reading to real life. In turn, it helps build better readers. There are three types of connections that have been our focus: text to self, text to text, and text to others and the world. Here is a quick breakdown of what each connection really tells you. Each connection finishes the phrases "This reminds me of..." and "This made me think of..."

Text to self: Students read and are able to connect the story to something about themselves. For example, last week we read "The Relatives Came," a great story about family. Many students were able to make the connection to themselves that "This story reminds me of the trip I took to see my family that lives far away."

Text to text: Students read and are able to connect the story to another story they have read. For example, in a story we read today, the little boy likes to pretend he is a mountain climber. In the story "Amazing Grace," Grace loves to pretend that she is all sorts of different things.

Text to others and the world: Students read and are able to connect the story to someone else or to something they know about the world around us. In our current IB unit, we have learned a lot about people who have made a difference through their choices and contributions. Many students connected that Rosa Parks was arrested for doing something she felt was right (refusing to sit at the back of the bus) in much the same way that Susan B. Anthony was also arrested for something she felt was right (voting although women did not yet have the right to vote). They also make many connections to people they know, such as family and friends. For example, a book we read talks about how the little boy wasn't old enough to play with "the big kids." Many students made the connection that they have been left out of playing by older friends and siblings.

That, in a nutshell, is how students make connections to their learning. When students make connections, the learning becomes real and much more important. As you read with your student at home, don't be afraid to point out what they story reminds YOU of or to ask your student to tell you what they story has made them think about.