Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program

The Jacob's Ladder Reading Comprehension Program targets reading comprehension skills in high-ability learners by moving students through an inquiry process from basic understanding to critical analyses of texts. This is achieved using a field-tested method developed by the Center for Gifted Education at William & Mary.

Students in grades 1-2 will learn to comprehend and analyse any reading passage after completing the activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grades 1-2 (2nd ed.).

Each set of student workbooks includes five student booklets, divided by grade level and area of emphasis, such as picture books and short stories, and poetry. Corresponding to the first section of picture book and short story activities in Jacob's Ladder, Grades 1-2 (2nd ed.), students read high-interest passages, then complete skill ladders connected to the picture book and short story readings. This process moves them from concrete thinking skills to higher order, critical thinking skills.

The ladders include multiple skills necessary for academic success, covering language arts standards. These skills include sequencing, determining cause and effect, classifying, inferencing, and recognising main ideas.

Grades 1-2