Academic and Behavioral Interventions

Are you looking for hacks to support students who do not read independently? If so, keep reading.

1. Establish a system of reinforcers, either concrete (e.g., extra computer time, helper for the day, etc.) or informal (e.g., smile, handshake, praise, etc.), to urge the student to be more successful in reading.

2. Get the student to dictate stories that are then put in print for them to read.

3. Give the student a quiet space (e.g., carrel, study booth, “office,” etc.) where they may go to take part in reading learning activities .

4. Read, or have someone read, high interest content to the student to promote their interest in reading.

5. Urge the student to read content with many illustrations and a limited amount of print. As the student shows success, slowly decrease the number of images, and increase the amount of print.

6. Urge parents to make reading content on the student’s interest and reading level available to the student at home.

7. Teach the student appropriate reading skills before expecting them to read independently.

8. Compose paragraphs and short stories for the student. The passages must be of interest to the student using their name, family members, friends, pets, and exciting experiences.

9. Establish a fixed or random time (e.g., a half-hour daily, an hour a week, etc.) for a “Read-In.” Everyone, the teacher included, selects a book that they like and reads it for pleasure.

10. Organize a survey of the student’s interests to give reading content in those interest areas.

11. Urge parents to read to their child at home and to have their child read to them. Urge parents to read for their own enjoyment to serve as a model for their child.

12. Get the student to write to the author of content they read to encourage an interest in reading more by the same author.

13. Give reading content in several settings (e.g., STEM books in the science center, art books in the art center, etc.).

14. Consider using AI to teach reading comprehension.

15. Consider using Alexa to teach reading skills.

16. 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

10 Apps to Teach Children Early Literacy Skills

Are you looking for ways to encourage independent reading? If so, keep reading.

1. Give the student high interest reading content that is also short in length so the student can finish reading the content without difficulty.

2. Get the student to read high interest signs, advertisements, notices, etc., from newspapers, magazines, movie promotions, etc.

3. Urge reading by highlighting an author a month. The teacher should disseminate information about a writer, read books written by the author, and have more titles written by the author available for independent reading.

4. Create a reading area in the classroom that is attractive to the student (e.g., tent, bean bag chair, carpeted area, etc.).

5. When teaching a unit in a subject area, provide students with fiction or nonfiction books to share to spark their interest in reading.

6. 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.).

7. Include predictable reading books in the class library. Predictability can make books more attractive to beginning readers and build confidence.

8. Make sure the student is reading content on their capacity and ability level.

9. Get the student to read lower grade-level stories to younger children to build their feelings of confidence relative to reading.

10. Give the student many high interest reading learning materials (e.g., comic books, magazines relating to sports, fashion, etc.).

11. Expose the student to learning materials with large print, as it can appear less intimidating to the student who does not select to read.

12. Alter or adjust reading learning materials to the student’s capacity and ability level.

13. Write periodic letters or notes to the student and urge them to write back.

14. Consider using AI to teach reading comprehension.

15. Consider using Alexa to teach reading skills.

16. 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

10 Apps to Teach Children Early Literacy Skills

Are you looking for strategies to help students begin to read independently? If so, keep reading.

1. Get the student to be a peer tutor to teach younger students reading or to read orally to younger students.

2. Pair the class with a lower grade-level class weekly. Let each student read to a younger child.

3. Make reading learning materials easily accessible to the student in the classroom.

4. Make visiting the library an enjoyable weekly experience.

5. Integrate listening skills/techniques as part of the daily routine (schedule) in reading class (e.g., listening center where the student reads along as a recording plays, the teacher reads to the student, students read to each other, etc.).

6. Give memberships in paperback book clubs to the student.

7. Urge interest in reading by having students share exciting things they have read.

8. Introduce a book sequence by an author that the student finds enjoyable. Make these books available for the student to read.

9. To urge reading, make sure that the student knows they are not reading for assessment purposes but for enjoyment.

10. Read excerpts of your favorite children’s books to entice the student to read the same book.

11. Urge the student to find books about various subjects being taught or discussed (e.g., when studying electricity, urge the student to read a book about Thomas Edison, etc.).

12. Support the student in discovering reading content that fits their interests and reading level. The student may not be comfortable or able to find books by themselves in the library.

13. Record reading content for the student to listen to as they read along.

14. Consider using AI to teach reading comprehension.

15. Consider using Alexa to teach reading skills.

16. 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

10 Apps to Teach Children Early Literacy Skills

Are you looking for strategies to help students improve their reading fluency? If so, keep reading.

1. Give the student a dictionary and require them to find the definitions of those words they did not recognize.

2. Get the student to keep a list with definitions of those words they most regularly fail to recognize in various contexts.

3. Give the student a quiet space (e.g., carrel, study booth, etc.) where they may go to take part in reading learning activities .

4. Get the student to read aloud to the teacher each day. Give evaluative feedback.

5. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Competitive learning activities may cause the student to hurry and fail to recognize words in a particular context.

6. Find words the student does not recognize in various contexts and put these words on flash cards. Get the student to match these words to the same words in sentences, paragraphs, short stories, etc.

7. Create a reading “window” for the student. The student moves the reading “window” down and across the page as they read.

8. 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.).

9. Minimize the amount of information on a page if it is causing visual distractions for the student.

10. Make sure the student is reading content on their capacity and ability level.

11. Give the student large-print reading content to enable the student’s success in recognizing words in various contexts.

12. Record complicated reading content for the student to listen to as they read along.

13. Make the student read a selection each day that includes the vocabulary presently being studied.

14. Get the student to read short sentences to make it easier to recognize words in various contexts. As the student shows success, present longer sentences.

15. Compose paragraphs and short stories using those words the student most regularly fails to recognize in various contexts. The paragraphs that you use should be of interest to the student using their name, family members, friends, pets, and exciting experiences.

16. Utilize a lower grade-level text as alternative reading content in subject areas.

17. 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 table or “office” space away from distractions). This should be used as a way to lessen distractions, not as a punishment.

18. Get the student to list those words they most regularly fail to identify into groups such as people, places, food, animals etc., to help the student know those words in various contexts.

19. Compose notes and letters to the student to give reading content that includes words the student regularly has difficulty with.

20. Utilize daily drill learning activities to help the student memorize vocabulary words.

21. Teach the student to use context clues to find words not grasped.

22. Spotlight those words the student most regularly fails to recognize in various contexts.

23. Spotlight those words in reading content the student is unable to recognize. Get the student to find those words as they read them.

24. Consider using AI to teach reading comprehension.

26. Consider using Alexa to teach reading skills.

26. 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

10 Apps to Teach Children Early Literacy Skills

Are you looking for ways to help students learn word comprehension skills? If so, keep reading.

1. Get the student to dictate stories that are put in print for them to read, placing emphasis on comprehension skills.

2. Compose paragraphs and short stories requiring skills the student is presently developing. The paragraphs that you use should be of interest to the student using their name, family members, friends, pets, and exciting experiences.

3. Prior to reading, tell the student what they are to find in the story (e.g., who are the main characters, what are the main activities, etc.).

4. Do not require the student to learn more information than they are capable of learning at any time.

5. 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. Reading instructions to the student can enable success.

6. Utilize a lower grade-level text as alternative reading content in subject areas.

7. 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 table or “office” space away from distractions). This should be used as a way to lessen distractions, not as a punishment.

8. Outline reading content for the student using words and phrases on their reading level.

9. Present new words and their meanings to the student before they read new content.

10. Provide the student time to read a selection more than once. Place emphasis on comprehension rather than speed.

11. Compose notes and letters to the student to give reading content that they will want to read for comprehension. Learners should be urged to pen notes at the same time each week.

12. Get the student to outline, underline, or highlight essential vocabulary in reading content.

13. Make sure the student underlines or circles words not grasped. These words will become the student’s vocabulary task for the week.

14. Utilize the current vocabulary words being studied by the student in the daily classroom conversation.

15. Teach the student to use context clues to find words not grasped.

16. Utilize a sight-word vocabulary approach to teach the student keywords (e.g., circle, underline, match, etc.) and phrases when reading directions and instructions.

17. Get the student to match vocabulary words with images representing the words.

18. Get the student to review vocabulary words by providing related clues. The student then identifies the vocabulary word.

19. Utilize reading sequence content with high interest (e.g., adventure, romance, mystery, sports, etc.) and low vocabulary.

20. Get the student to find words they do not comprehend. Get them to find the definitions of these words in the dictionary.

21. Make the student use new vocabulary words in follow-up tasks (e.g., have the student use these words on written tasks, crossword puzzles, etc.).

22. Consider using AI to teach reading comprehension.

23. Consider using Alexa to teach reading skills.

24. 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

10 Apps to Teach Children Early Literacy Skills

Are you looking for hacks to help kids acquire word comprehension skills? If so, keep reading.

1. Make sure the student is reading content on their capacity and ability level.

2. Develop classroom games (e.g., Jeopardy®, Pictionary®, etc.) to review vocabulary words periodically.

3. Make sure the student learns dictionary skills to autonomously find meanings of words.

4. Make sure the student learns the meaning of all frequently used prefixes and suffixes.

5. Praise the student for looking up the definitions of words they do not understand.

6. Create a list of main points from the student’s reading content, written on the student’s reading level.

7. Alter or adjust reading content to the student’s capacity and ability level.

8. Get the student to list new or complicated words in categories such as people, food, animals, etc.

9. Get the student to teach new vocabulary to their peers (e.g., require the student to be creative by showing, acting out, drawing, or making an example of the word).

10. Get the student to match objects or images with sounds pronounced by that object (e.g., telephone ring, vacuum cleaner, etc.).

11. Establish a system of reinforcers either concrete (e.g., extra computer time, helper for the day, etc.) or informal (e.g., smile, handshake, praise, etc.) to urge the student to be more successful in reading.

12. Develop a written list of vocabulary words. Orally present a sentence with a “blank” and have the student determine what vocabulary word should be used.

13. Get the student to orally rephrase content that has just been read to assess comprehension.

14. Examine new vocabulary words periodically with the student (e.g., weekly, or bi-weekly).

15. Make it pleasant and positive for the student to ask the meanings or look up words they do not understand. Praise the student by assisting him/her, congratulating, etc.

16. Teach the student to forecast what will happen in the story based on new vocabulary words and the title page.

17. Teach the student to read for the main point in sentences, paragraphs, etc.

18. Make sure that the reading requirements of all subjects and tasks are within the capacity and ability level of the student. If they are not, adjust the reading content to the student’s capacity and ability level.

19. Get the student to record what they read to enable comprehension by replaying and listening to the content.

20. Prior to reading a selection, acquaint the student with the general content of the story to create a point of reference. Through this approach, introduce new vocabulary words.

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

10 Apps to Teach Children Early Literacy Skills

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

10 Apps to Teach Children Early Literacy Skills

Are you looking for ways to support kids with reading disabilities? If so, keep reading.

1. Record complicated reading content for the student to listen to while they read along.

2. Minimize the amount of content the student reads at one time (e.g., lessen reading content to individual sentences or one paragraph, etc.). As the student shows success, slowly increase the amount of content to be read at one time.

3. Alter or adjust reading learning materials to the student’s capacity and ability level.

4. Establish a system of reinforcers, either concrete (e.g., extra computer time, helper for the day, etc.) or informal (e.g., smile, handshake, praise, etc.), to urge the student to be more successful in reading.

5. Keep a simple image-coded phonics chart available at all times for the student to use when decoding words.

6. Record the student reading aloud. Play it back so that they hear omissions, additions, substitutions, or reversals.

7. Support the student in reading written information. As the student shows success, slowly decrease the assistance, and require the student to independently assume more responsibility.

8. Make sure that the reading requirements of all subjects and tasks are within the capacity and ability level of the student. If they are not, adjust the reading content to the student’s capacity and ability level.

9. 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. Reading instructions to the student can enable success.

10. Get the student to write those words in which they omit, add, substitute, or reverse letters or sounds. Get the student to practice reading those words.

11. Create a list of those words in which the student has made omission, addition, substitution, or reversal errors when reading. Get the student to practice reading those words.

12. Utilize a highlighter to find crucial syllables, words, etc., for the student. These words and phrases become the student’s sight word vocabulary.

13. Utilize a cardboard window to focus attention on a single line as you read.

14. Get the student to point to syllables, words, etc., as they read them to help them recognize omissions, additions, substitutions, or reversals.

15. Teach the student to use context clues when reading to aid word recognition and meaning. These skills will be particularly helpful when they are experiencing difficulty with reversals.

16. Teach the student essential word lists (e.g., Dolch) to assist in reading.

17. Create a list of words and phrases from the student’s reading content that they will not recognize (e.g., have the science teacher find the words and phrases the student will not know in the following week’s task). These words and phrases will become the student’s list for reading learning activities for the next week.

18. Get the student to find words and phrases that they do not recognize. Make these words part of the student’s sight word list to be learned.

19. Record pronunciations of words that the student commonly mispronounces so that they can hear the correct pronunciation.

20. Get the student to read written information more than once. Place emphasis on accuracy, not speed.

21. Give extra time for the student to read instructions.

22. Consider using AI to teach reading comprehension.

23. Consider using Alexa to teach reading skills.

24. 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

10 Apps to Teach Children Early Literacy Skills

Are you looking for strategies to support kids with dyslexia? If so, keep reading.

1. Require all students in a small group to point, look, and listen when other group members read orally.

2. Get the student to create a sight vocabulary of root words to be able to decode words with prefixes and suffixes and increase their word attack skills.

3. Get the student to place a ruler or paper strip under each line as they read it. The student then moves the ruler or paper strip under the next line and so on.

4. Fix the student’s omissions, additions, substitutions, and reversals orally as often as possible so that they correctly read the reading content.

5. Get the student to read aloud to the teacher each day. Give evaluative feedback relative to their omissions, additions, substitutions, and reversals while reading.

6. Give the student an alphabet strip on their desk to use as a reference for connecting letter formation to lessen reversal-related errors when reading.

7. Get the student to use an electronic speaking dictionary to find word definitions and pronunciations.

8. Utilize a sight-word vocabulary approach to teach the student keywords (e.g., circle, underline, match, etc.) and phrases when reading directions and instructions.

9. Train the student to ask for clarification if they do not understand written instructions.

10. Teach the student word attack skills using a root word sight vocabulary to which several prefixes and suffixes may be added.

11. Urge the student to avoid ingesting any substance (e.g., drugs, alcohol, cold remedies, etc.) that might further alter their capacity and ability to read content accurately.

12. Utilize a kinesthetic approach by having the child point to every word as they read orally. Separate the student for instant correction if appropriate, while continuing with ample praise for hard work and success.

13. Get the student’s vision reviewed if it has not been recently reviewed.

14. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Competitive learning activities may cause the student to omit, add, substitute, or reverse letters, words, or sounds when reading.

15. Do not criticize when correcting the student; be honest yet compassionate. Never cause the student to feel negatively about themselves.

16. Get the student to ask for help when they need it.

17. Create an environmental setting for the classroom that promotes ideal individual performance (e.g., quiet room, background music, fresh air, etc.).

18. Teach reading, spelling, and handwriting concurrently.

19. Minimize the amount of information on a page (e.g., less print to read, fewer problems, isolate information that is presented to the student, etc.) if it is visually distracting for the student.

20. Make sure the student is learning essential word lists to assist in 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

10 Apps to Teach Children Early Literacy Skills

Are you looking for hacks to teach kids to use phonics while reading? If so, keep reading.

1. Compose paragraphs and short stories requiring phonics skills the student is presently learning. The passages must be of interest to the student using their name, family members, friends, pets, and exciting experiences.

2. Get the student to dictate stories that are then put in print for them to read, placing emphasis on reading skills.

3. Get the student to read high interest signs, advertisements, notices, etc., from newspapers, magazines, movie promotions, etc., placing emphasis on phonics skills.

4. Make sure the student is practicing phonics skills that are causally related to high interest reading learning activities (e.g., adventure, romance, mystery, sports, etc.).

5. Get the student to make a list of phonics skills that have been learned (e.g., words they can find by sounding out). The student continues to add to the list as they identify more and more terms.

6. Teach the student all beginning sounds before expecting them to blend sounds into words.

7. Record complicated reading content for the student to listen to as they read along.

8. Make sure that the reading requirements of all subjects and tasks are within the capacity and ability level of the student. If they are not, adjust the reading content to the student’s capacity and ability level.

9. 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. Reading instructions to the student may enable success.

10. Give the student oral reminders or prompts when they are unsure of sounds that letters make when blended together.

11. Minimize the amount of information on a page if it is visually distracting for the student.

12. 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.).

13. Ascertain if the student has instant recall of all consonant and vowel sounds and combinations.

14. Practice active learning at the smartboard by having students hear, write, and read words.

15. Practice, drill, and review every day.

16. Get students to say sounds as they write them.

17. Let students write a story, paragraph, or sentence using phonetic shorthand. This narrowing of sounds helps the student to find the sounds with letters used to construct words.

18. Consider using AI to teach reading comprehension.

19. Consider using Alexa to teach reading skills.

20. 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

10 Apps to Teach Children Early Literacy Skills