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This Reading Mama

Matthew’s Monsters {review}

By thisreadingmama 6 Comments

Need a simple tip for checking comprehension? Ask questions throughout the text; not just at the end.

Matthew's MonstersThat’s exactly what Stephanie Sisler has done in her book, Matthew’s Monsters!

Creative Comprehension

When her book arrived in the mail, ALuv (currently almost 7 years old) couldn’t stop talking about it.  L.i.t.e.r.a.l.l.y.

coloring pictures for comprehensionIt took us two days to complete the entire book (31 pages in all). I read the text aloud.  Boy, was it right up his alley; especially the pages in which she asks the child to finish coloring in the pictures to check for comprehension (brilliant idea, by the way!).

comprehension questions throughout textStephanie also designed the book to have a few sections sprinkled throughout in which the child has to answer questions based on the text (another brilliant idea).

Disclaimer (as I always want to give my honest opinion):
Monsters aren’t my thing.  We don’t really even use the word at our house, except to refer to “Cookie Monster”, so I was a bit hesitant at first.  BUT, there are three reasons I was drawn to her book: 1-the creative way she integrated comprehension throughout the book, 2-the illustrations aren’t scary, and 3-by the end, the reader clearly sees that Matthew’s “monsters” are not monsters at all.  
 
 

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Want to know something cool?  She wants to give one copy away for FREE!  You can enter to win it via Rafflecopter (see below).  Make sure you read the Terms & Conditions before entering.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~Becky

 

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Filed Under: Comprehension

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Comments

  1. Chris says

    July 20, 2012 at 8:34 am

    I love the idea of colouring to reinforce comprehension. The ownership felt by the reader after colouring should make them want to reread many times too.

    Reply
    • thisreadingmama says

      July 20, 2012 at 9:06 am

      Good point, Chris!

      Reply
  2. Jessica says

    July 20, 2012 at 10:49 am

    I absolutely love interactive books like this!

    Reply
  3. Terri says

    July 20, 2012 at 4:11 pm

    Looks like fun!

    Reply
  4. Rissa says

    July 25, 2012 at 12:44 am

    I love the idea of interacting with a book in such a hands-on way rather than by just asking questions. So much fun!!

    Reply
    • thisreadingmama says

      July 25, 2012 at 7:20 am

      Rissa,
      I completely agree! That’s one reason why I wanted to get my hands on that book. 😉

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Becky, a homeschooling mama with 4 blessings who keep me on my toes {and knees}. Before homeschooling, I was a classroom teacher (M.Ed.) and reading tutor. Read more about me here.

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