Reading Comprehension

What is reading comprehension? 
According to Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, reading comprehension is the capacity of the mind to perceive and understand


One can better comprehend reading materials by...

• Asking insightful questions while reading to gain a better sense of what's going on
• Using close reading strategies
• Looking for key words
• Highlighting symbolism

Assignment:

Read the selected short passage and answer the questions below on a separate piece of paper (this may be typed):

Group 1 (Chapter 1)

Questions:

1. When Rosaleen told Lily, "Bees swarm before death," (p. 2) what do you think Rosaleen was trying to tell Lily? 

2. When Lily opened the jar to release the bees she had just captured, what (symbolism) do you think the author was trying to portray by having the bees remain in the jar? (p. 28)

3. Why do you think Rosaleen refused to apologize to the men whose shoes she poured "snuff juice" over? (p. 32)

Group 2 (Chapter 2)

Questions:

1. Why didn't the policemen defend Rosaleen from the white men trying to hurt her? (p. 35)

2. What do you think finally gave Lily the courage to stand up to T. Ray? (p. 38)

3. When Lily heard a voice say, "Lily Melissa Owens, your jar is open," what do you think this symbolized? (p. 41)

Group 3 (Chapters 3-4)

Questions:

1. What do you think the Black Mary picture symbolizes? (p. 58)

2. Why do you think the author included this quote in her story, "The little girl sneezed, and her mother said, 'Come here, let's wipe your nose'"? (p. 63)

3. What does the author mean when she says that Lily could "sense Mary's statue's spiritual power"? (p. 71)


Grading Rubric:

	1	2	3
Question #1	Question wasn't answered; answer showed no form of understanding of the question; vague	Question was somewhat answered; bare minimum; answer didn't display full understanding of the question	Question was answered thoughtfully and insightfully; elaborated on an important thought
Question #2	Question wasn't answered; answer showed no form of understanding of the question; vague	Question was somewhat answered; bare minimum; answer didn't display full understanding of the question	Question was answered thoughtfully and insightfully; elaborated on an important thought
Question #3	Question wasn't answered; answer showed no form of understanding of the question; vague	Question was somewhat answered; bare minimum; answer didn't display full understanding of the question	Question was answered thoughtfully and insightfully; elaborated on an important thoughts

This homework assignment will be out of 9 points – three per question.  We will use it in Day 2 for a "discussion circle" within your small groups and to test your understanding of the reading.