Reading for Comprehension series

Continental Press

The Reading for Comprehension series includes Books 1 through 3 for beginning readers, as well as Books A through H for grades 1 through 8. These consumable worktexts are particularly useful for introducing students to the type of reading passages and questions they are likely to encounter on standardized tests.

The first three books, written for what Continental Press terms “emergent readers," include non-fiction reading passages to be read to students, followed by questions that parents/teachers will likely work through with students. Each exercise has only four multiple-choice questions plus one question where they will write a few words. The content is written at about first grade reading level, so as students develop reading skills, they might be able to work independently. These books might also be used for older students who struggle with reading. Books range from 32 to 48 pages each.

Books A through H each have 46 non-fiction articles for students to read followed by five multiple-choice questions and one open-ended question that might be used for either oral or written response. Student books have 96 pages each. Among skills covered throughout the series are vocabulary, identifying the main idea and details, sequencing, identifying cause and effect, drawing inferences, and making conclusions. The sixth question should be used to help develop writing skills most of the time.

Books all use the same format with a reading passage and an illustration on the left page and exercises on the right. Reading passages increase in length and difficulty from level to level.

Teacher’s guides serve as answer keys. Children generally find these workbooks fun to read and not overly-challenging.

Copyright 2009 (review updated and posted March 2009)