What does comprehension strategy instruction primarily involve?

Comprehension strategy instruction focuses on teaching students how to understand and make meaning from texts through explicit instruction in effective comprehension techniques. This approach is designed to provide students with tools and methods to actively engage with what they read, fostering skills such as summarizing, questioning, predicting, clarifying, and interpreting information. By explicitly teaching these strategies, educators help students become more autonomous readers who can apply these skills across various texts and contexts.

In contrast, focusing solely on vocabulary through memorization does not equip students with the broader range of skills necessary for deep comprehension. Independent writing practice, while beneficial for developing writing skills, does not directly address reading comprehension. Informal reading assessments are valuable for gauging student understanding but do not provide the active instruction that aids in building comprehension strategies. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the importance of teaching strategies that guide students in understanding and engaging with texts effectively.