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Imagine Better Reading Comprehension

Jun 20, 2019
 
 

Most reading experts agree on one thing: In order to comprehend what they read, students must have strong decoding skills and adequate oral vocabulary. In other words, a child must be able to accurately decode every word on the page, and know what each word means.

 

Unfortunately, many students who can decode well and understand words still have weak comprehension. What is the missing piece for these students?

 

Clinical research over the last thirty years indicates there is a separate comprehension weakness that is rarely identified. This weakness often undermines the reading process. It is a weakness, based in the sensory system, in creating an imaged gestalt or “whole.”

 

Students may have difficulty creating mental images for language. This weakness causes individuals to get only “parts” of information they read or hear, but not the whole.

 

Nanci Bell first became aware of the connection that underlies comprehension while she was teaching students struggling with literacy, many of whom had been previously diagnosed as dyslexic. Nanci has described that, at the time, she was unaware of a separate comprehension dysfunction. Like many others, she thought the difficulty with reading comprehension was caused by weak decoding and weak oral vocabulary.

 

In the following excerpt from Visualizing and Verbalizing, Nanci Bell describes the incident that sparked her passion to change learning for students struggling with weak comprehension.

 

Needing a break in the lesson from spelling word after word, I decide to have Allan, [a college student majoring in architecture], read and give me a verbal summary.  Handing him a college level skill book, I ask him to read aloud so I can be certain he is decoding accurately.

 

He accurately reads the page of material, and I take the book from him, saying, “Good job.  Tell me what you read.”

 

Allan gives me the very complete summary, beginning with the main idea and then including all the details.  To my amazement, he infers, concludes, predicts, and evaluates the material. He is confident and involved in the activity – a much different Allan than the one that struggles with spelling.

 

I stare at him, saying, “That was really an incredible summary.  How are you able to do that?”

 

Looking at me, surprised and now shy, Allan replies, “I don’t know.”

 

Realizing that Allan seems embarrassed and unsure of himself because of my question, I reassure him.  “That really was good. You have very good reading comprehension. How did you do that? If I know what you do to remember what you read, perhaps I can teach others to do it.”

 

Thoughtful, Allan replies, “I don’t know.”  Then, after a pause, he says, “I make movies when I read.”

 

A little surprised, I ask, “What do you mean, you make movies when you read?”

 

“I don’t know.  I just see movies in my head when I read.  The words turn into pictures and I just remember the pictures, the images.  Don’t you do that?”

 

Thinking about the books I’ve read, I finally answer, “Yes. I do. I picture what I read. I guess I’ve just not thought about it.”

 

“Do other people do that, too?”

 

“I don’t know … but I’ll find out …”

 

The statement “I make movies when I read” prompted my twenty-five-year-odyssey exploring the relationship between imagery and language.  Today, twenty years after first writing Visualizing and Verbalizing for Language Comprehension and Thinking, I am still passionate about the importance of imagery to comprehension and cognition. (Bell, 2007, pp. 4-8)

 

Over the past 30 years, more than 40,000 students have been taught how to learn to their potential at Lindamood-Bell. While some of our students have a previous diagnosis that affects learning, others seek our help to enhance their skills or to just make learning easier—and we make a difference for each one of them.

 

The Visualizing and Verbalizing™ program develops concept imagery—the ability to create an imagined or imaged gestalt from language—as a basis for comprehension and higher order thinking. The development of concept imagery improves reading and listening comprehension, memory, oral vocabulary, critical thinking, and writing.

 

A mom describes how Visualizing and Verbalizing improved her daughter’s reading comprehension:

 

 

If you have concerns about your child’s language comprehension ability, get in touch with one of our learning centers to get started:  Double Bay (02) 9328 7119 | Chatswood (02) 9410 1006

Connect with us
At Lindamood-Bell, we believe that all individuals can be taught to read to their potential—including those previously diagnosed with a learning difficulty such as dyslexia. Visit our website to learn more about common dyslexia misconceptions, the latest research, and how Lindamood-Bell summer instruction can help your child. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Our free webinar is now available on demand. Lindamood-Bell's Director of Research and Development, Paul Worthington, shares valuable insights into common dyslexia misconceptions, peer-reviewed interventions, and the latest research. Watch now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
New Podcast Episode!
Lindamood-Bell for Schools Director of Development, Dave Kiyvyra, is joined by Heidi O’Leary, the Director of Special Education for Maine School Administrative District 75. They discuss how the district successfully implemented evidence-based literacy instruction. Listen and subscribe at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial
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Lindamood-Bell Academy provides individualized school curriculum and evidence-based instruction. The Academy can be an ideal setting for students previously diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning challenges. 
Now enrolling for the 2023-24 school year! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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Lindamood-Bell is excited to announce Tutor(clinician) job openings!
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✅ Internship credits may be available 
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of others? Learn more and apply today! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#LindamoodBell #SummerPositions #JoinOurTeam  #NowHiring
Is your child struggling with reading? 
Summer learning at Lindamood-Bell can help!
Our one-to-one, evidence-based instruction is tailored to address the needs of each student. Students make years of gain in a matter of weeks.
⏳Hurry to save your spot on our summer schedule! Get started at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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Educators:
Partner with us for your next teacher inservice—you'll also receive complimentary follow-up support for the entire school year! 
Our evidence-based approach is proven-effective for many students, including early learners and students with dyslexia. Get details and request a quote for your school or district today. Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Lindamood-Bell Academy can be ideal for struggling readers. We develop foundational skills and provide individualized curriculum. Our evidence-based instruction closes the gap between performance and potential! Now enrolling for the 2023-24 school year. Learn more and get started! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#LindamoodBellAcademy #LindamoodBell #EnrollingNow #privateschool #PersonalizedLearning #Dyslexia #ADHD
🤩 We teach individuals of all ages how to read and comprehend to their potential! Our one-to-one, evidence-based instruction is tailored to address the unique needs of each student. Students make years of gain in a matter of weeks.

⏳Hurry to save your spot on our SUMMER schedule! Get started at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#lindamoodbell #testimonial #summercamp #inspirational
📣 Webinar tomorrow! May 17th at 10 AM PDT/1 PM EDT/6 PM BST

📚 Lindamood-Bell's Director of Research and Development, Paul Worthington, will share valuable insights into common dyslexia misconceptions, peer-reviewed interventions, and the latest research. 

➡️ Register now at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
Now hiring for summer! 🌞📚
We’re looking for energetic, positive individuals to work as tutors (who we call Clinicians) in a Lindamood-Bell Learning Center. Join us as we teach students to read and comprehend to their potential! For more information and to apply, follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#LindamoodBell #SummerPositions #JoinOurTeam  #NowHiring
Lindamood-Bell Academy can be ideal for students diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning challenges. We develop foundational skills and offer a full K-12 curriculum. Our evidence-based instruction closes the gap between performance and potential!
Visit our website to learn more about our school and how you can receive 50% off a month of tuition! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoobellofficial.
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#LindamoodBellAcademy #LindamoodBell #EnrollingNow #privateschool #PersonalizedLearning #Dyslexia #ADHD
Is your child struggling with reading? 
Summer learning at Lindamood-Bell can help!
Our one-to-one, evidence-based instruction is tailored to address the needs of each student. Students make years of gain in a matter of weeks.
⏳Hurry to save your spot on our summer schedule! Get started at the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
.
.
.
#lindamoodbell #dyslexia #dyslexic #testimonial #summercamp
🌞Now hiring for summer! We’re looking for energetic, positive individuals to work as tutors (who we call Clinicians) in a Lindamood-Bell® Learning Center.
 
📚Join us as we teach students of all ages to read and comprehend to their potential. We provide paid training in our evidence-based approach!

🌟View our current open positions and apply today! Follow the link in our bio, @lindamoodbellofficial.
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#LindamoodBell #SummerPositions #JoinOurTeam  #NowHiring
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