Are you looking for strategies to help students who fail to finish tasks because of reading issues? If so, keep reading.
1. Make sure that the reading requirements of the task are within the capacity and ability level of the student.
2. Record directions, explanations, and instructions to enable the student’s success.
3. Select a peer to read directions, explanations, and instructions to the student to enable success.
4. Make the student orally repeat directions, explanations, and instructions.
5. Read directions, explanations, and instructions to the student when appropriate.
6. Utilize a sight word-vocabulary approach to teach the student keywords (e.g., circle, underline, match, etc.) and phrases when reading directions and instructions.
7. Provide all directions, explanations, and instructions orally.
8. Keep all directions, explanations, and instructions to a minimum.
9. Shorten the length of tasks that require reading so the student can finish tasks in the same duration of time as the other students.
10. Give the student additional time to finish the task.
11. Provide directions, explanations, and instructions prior to handing out learning materials.
12. Make sure that the student’s knowledge of a particular skill is being assessed rather than the student’s capacity and ability to read instructions and content.
13. Provide mobility to assist the student.
14. Provide a consistent format in which written directions, explanations, and instructions are delivered.
15. Get the student to practice timed drills consisting of reading instructions, explanations, content, etc., to lessen reading time.
16. Give more than enough time for the student to finish a task.
17. Assess the clarity and quality of written directions, explanations, instructions, content, etc.
18. Keep written instructions as concrete and straightforward as possible.
19. Minimize distracting stimuli in their surroundings to enable the student’s capacity and ability to follow written instructions (e.g., place the student on the front row; give a table or “office” space away from distractions). This should be used as a way to lessen distractions, not as a punishment.
20. Minimize written instructions to individual steps. Provide the student an additional step after the conclusion of the prior action.
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
