Understanding DERIC at St Wilfrid’s School
At St Wilfrid’s School, we use a reading comprehension strategy called DERIC to help children not only read but also understand and think deeply about what they read.
Letter Skill What It Means
D Decoding Reading the words correctly and fluently.
E Explaining Talking about what the text means in their own words.
R Retrieving Finding key facts or information in the text.
I Interpreting Reading between the lines and understanding hidden meanings or feelings.
C Choice Thinking about why the author used certain words, pictures, or styles.
Why Is DERIC Important?
DERIC helps children to:
• Understand what they read, not just say the words.
• Build critical thinking and reasoning skills.
• Become confident, independent readers.
• Enjoy books more deeply by connecting with the story and the author’s ideas.
How You Can Help at Home
You can support DERIC when reading with your child by asking simple questions:
Decoding: “Can you sound out that tricky word?”
Explaining: “Can you tell me what’s happening in this part?”
Retrieving: “Where in the story did that happen?”
Interpreting: “How do you think that character is feeling? Why?”
Choice: “Why do you think the author chose that word or picture?”
Just a few of these questions during reading time can make a big difference in your child’s understanding and enjoyment of books! Together, we can help every child become an enthusiastic, thoughtful reader!
Why not visit our local library to use the laptops and borrow books, CD’s and DVD’s for free?
http://www.wlct.org/wigan/libraries/ashton/
Here is a website which you can join for FREE to read books online:
http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading-owl/reading
Helping your child with reading
Reading is vital for your child’s development, whatever their age. Research shows that reading is the most important thing you can do to help your child’s education. It is most beneficial to read little and often, so try to put aside 15 minutes a day to show your child that you value and appreciate reading. It’s surprising how enthused children become when they see older siblings, parents and grandparents take pleasure in reading and engage in conversation about the contents of their books and any new vocabulary. Remember, books aren’t just about reading the words on the page, they can also prompt exciting discussions, word games and liven your child’s (and your) imagination!
Tips for helping you child to enjoy reading:
- Encourage your child to pretend to ‘read’ a book before he or she can read words.
- Visit the library as often as possible
- Schedule a regular time and place for reading-make it creative, perhaps read when you get home from school or just before bed.
- Look for books on topics that you know your child is interested in-maybe insects, dinosaurs, cookery, motor racing.
- Make sure that children’s books are easily accessible in different rooms around you house.
- Read for pleasure in front of your children-you never know, they might copy!