How can students make connections to texts when learning comprehension?

Making connections to texts is a vital part of developing comprehension skills in students. When students relate personal experiences to the material, they engage with the text on a deeper level. This process allows them to draw parallels between their own lives and the themes, characters, or conflicts present in the text. By doing so, students can better understand and retain the material because it becomes more meaningful to them; they see its relevance in their own context.

This connection also fosters critical thinking, as students assess how their experiences shape their understanding and interpretation of the text. It encourages a personal investment in the reading process, making it more likely that they will remember what they have read and engage in discussions about it.

In contrast, ignoring personal experiences would lead to a disconnection from the material, memorizing the text does not promote understanding or critical engagement, and focusing solely on summarization might overlook the richness of the text and the individual's perspective. Thus, relating personal experiences is the most effective and enriching way for students to deepen their comprehension of texts.