Are you looking for strategies to support students with reading comprehension problems? If so, keep reading.
1. Get the student to find one word each day that they do not understand. Get the student to define the term and then require them to use that word throughout the day in several situations.
2. Isolate the central word or phrase around which the story is constructed. Inspect for pinpoint words that relate back to the primary word/phrase and determine the number of times they are used and how this helps to create the story.
3. Get the student to orally rephrase content just read to assess their comprehension.
4. Spotlight essential points before the student reads the content silently.
5. Make it pleasant and positive for the student to ask questions about things not grasped.
6. Teach new vocabulary words prior to having the student read the content.
7. Record the student’s reading content and have them listen to the recording while simultaneously reading the content.
8. Get the student to read progressively longer segments of reading content to build comprehension skills (e.g., start with one paragraph and progress to several sections, chapters, short stories, etc.).
9. Record lectures to give an additional source of information for the student.
10. Get the student to outline reading content using the Outline Form.
11. Provide the student high interest reading content on their capacity and ability level (e.g., comic books, adventure stories, etc.) requiring them to answer the questions “Who, What, Where, On occasions where, How, and Why.”
12. Get the student to record what they read to enable comprehension by replaying and listening to the content read.
13. Prior to reading a selection, acquaint the student with the general content of the story (e.g., when reading a story about birds, have the students brainstorm and discuss birds to create a point of reference).
14. Get the student to dictate stories that are then put in print for them to read, placing emphasis on comprehension skills.
15. Compose paragraphs and short stories requiring skills the student is presently developing. The passages must be of interest to the student using their name, family members, friends, pets, and exciting experiences.
16. Create a learning center area where an assortment of information is available for the student in content areas (e.g., the library may have a section with films, slides, videotapes, and recorded lectures, on such subjects as pilgrims, the Civil War, the judicial system, etc.).
17. Utilize lower grade-level texts as alternative reading content in subject areas.
18. Outline reading content for the student using words and phrases on their capacity and ability level.
19. Minimize distracting stimuli in their surroundings to enable the student’s capacity and ability to concentrate on what they are reading (e.g., place the student on the front row, give a carrel or “office” space away from distractions, etc.). This should be used as a means of reducing distracting stimuli, not as a punishment.
20. Ascertain whether the student can make inferences, predictions, determine cause-effect, etc., in everyday experiences. Teach these skills in contexts that are important to the student to enable the capacity and ability to use these ideas when reading.
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
