Are you looking for strategies to help students who do not possess word comprehension skills? If so, keep reading.
1. Get the student to make a list of new words they have learned. The student can add words to the list at their own rate.
2. Give the student a quiet space (e.g., table, study booth, etc.) where they may go to take part in reading learning activities.
3. On occasions where the student encounters a new word or one whose meaning they do not know, have the student construct sentences in which the term is used in the correct context.
4. Give the student an assortment of visual learning materials to support word comprehension (e.g., filmstrips, images, charts, etc.).
5. Get the student to find a word a day that they do not understand. Get the student to define the term and require them to use that word throughout the day in several situations.
6. Get the student to keep a vocabulary notebook with definitions of words whose meanings they do not know.
7. Get the student to create an image dictionary representing those words that are complicated for them to recognize.
8. Anticipate new vocabulary words and teach them in advance of reading a selection.
9. Teach the student synonyms and antonyms of familiar words to strengthen their vocabulary.
10. Teach new vocabulary words and ideas prior to reading a selection.
11. Praise the student for asking the meanings of words they do not understand.
12. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Competitive learning activities may make it complicated for the student to comprehend what they read.
13. Get the student to look for vocabulary definitions within the content read (e.g., The long house, an Indian dwelling, was used by Eastern Indians.).
14. Get the student to look for vocabulary words in italics, boldface, headings, and captions.
15. Select a peer to help the student, when needed, with the meanings of words not grasped.
16. Get the student to read high interest signs, advertisements, notices, etc., from newspapers, magazines, movie promotions, etc., placing emphasis on vocabulary skills.
17. Refrain from placing the student in awkward reading skills (e.g., reading aloud in a group, identifying that the student’s reading group is the lowest level, etc.).
18. Tag objects and learning activities in the classroom to help the student associate words with concrete aspects of their surroundings.
19. Minimize the amount of information on a page if it is visually distracting for the student.
20. Make sure the student is developing a sight-word vocabulary of the most commonly used words in their reading content.
21. Consider using AI to teach reading comprehension.
22. Consider using Alexa to teach reading skills.
23. Try using one of our many apps designed to teach literacy skills and help students with reading issues:
10 Apps That Teach Your Child to Read
7 Must-Have Apps to Make Learners Love Reading
7 Must-Have Phonics Apps and Tools
9 Reading Apps and Tools for the Elementary Classroom
The Tech Edvocate’s List of 24 Literacy Apps, Tools & Resources
