Comprehension… it’s the ultimate goal for your struggling readers!  You can see why comprehension is the final key in the 5 pillars of reading.  Without a certain level of competency in Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Vocabulary, and Fluency, how can we expect our students to comprehend what they are reading? 

Comprehension Fast Facts:

1. Comprehension requires a student to decode and process text, understand the meaning, connect it with what they already know, and draw conclusions. That involves a lot of complex brain processes!

2. Struggling readers read less than skilled readers because it is frustrating and difficult for them. As a result, they are exposed to less text and get much less practice reading. It becomes a vicious cycle.

3. Reading comprehension instruction needs to include opportunities to read for enjoyment. As comprehension skills increase the pleasure and effectiveness of reading increase as well!

4. Strong reading comprehension skills help students succeed in all subject areas.

5. Research shows that the most successful way to teach comprehension to struggling readers is to use direct and explicit instruction.

 Teaching Comprehension to Struggling Readers

How do we teach strategies for comprehension to students who are unable to independently read a complete story or even a paragraph?  

There is such a strong link between comprehension and reading for enjoyment.  Struggling readers read less than skilled readers because it is frustrating and difficult for them.  As a result, they are exposed to less text and get much less practice reading.  It becomes a vicious cycle.  How do we find a way for struggling students to read for enjoyment?

At Roadways Literacy Studio we love Read-Alouds!  Yes, even for our senior students!  The daily Read Aloud is our chance to introduce and practice comprehension strategies that students can apply to their own daily reading.

Early Elementary

• When choosing your read aloud, selections may be thematic based, a series, an author study, or just your favorites!

• Try choosing longer books that take a full week to get through.  Choose books that provide ample opportunity for discussion, vocabulary growth, and use as mentor texts for comprehension strategies.

Upper Elementary

• Rather than a trade book for the read aloud, use a novel for your students in grades 5-8.  Choose the novel according to what would appeal to students in their age range.

• Choose something your students’ peers would be reading and talking about like The Hunger Games, the Maze Runner, or perhaps a classic like “The Outsiders.” Some of our favorites have been the Lightning Thief, Wonder, Hoot, and the Harry Potter Series.

• Check to make sure that the novel you choose has audio access, for those students who need extra support.

Try introducing daily Read Alouds with your students.  We predict that they’ll be begging you to read ‘just one more page’ – even if it’s recess time!