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Testing Power Words

Additional Ideas

Helping kids understand and master these testing power words can greatly enhance their comprehension and critical thinking skills. Additional general ideas for support students' use of these power words are provided below.

  • Use Real-Life Examples: Relate each power word to everyday situations or stories your child is familiar with. For example, when explaining "Infer," use scenarios from a book or movie to discuss how characters' actions hint at their feelings or intentions.

  • Encourage Discussion: Engage your child in conversations where you actively model these skills. Ask questions that require them to infer, compare, contrast, describe, or predict outcomes. Encourage them to explain their reasoning.

  • Provide Visual Aids: Use diagrams, charts, or visual representations to illustrate concepts like compare, contrast, analyze, and trace. Visual aids can make abstract ideas more concrete and understandable.

  • Practice with Books or Movies: Choose books or movies to read or watch together, and afterward, discuss the plot, characters, and themes using these power words. Ask your child to summarize the story or analyze characters' motivations.

  • Create Games and Activities: Make learning fun by turning these skills into games. For instance, play a "Describe It" game where your child describes an object without naming it, or create a "Predict It" challenge based on clues.

  • Provide Feedback: Encourage your child to use these skills in everyday conversations. Offer positive reinforcement and gentle corrections when needed. For example, if they describe something but miss key points, guide them to include those points in their explanation.

  • Link to Writing: Help your child apply these skills in writing assignments. Ask them to write summaries, compare and contrast essays, or explanations of concepts using their own words.

  • Model Critical Thinking: Show your child how you use these skills in your own reading, watching, or problem-solving activities. Narrate your thinking process aloud, demonstrating how to analyze, evaluate, and formulate ideas.

  • Encourage Reflection: After using these skills, encourage your child to reflect on their effectiveness. Ask questions like, "Was your prediction accurate? Why or why not?" or "What could you have included to make your description more detailed?"

  • Provide Diverse Content: Expose your child to a variety of content (i.e. books, articles, videos) that require different types of thinking. This broad exposure will help them understand when and how to apply each skill appropriately.

Consistent practice and reinforcement of these testing power words in various contexts will build your child's confidence and competence in using them effectively.