Effective Comprehension Intervention Strategies for Struggling Readers
Reading comprehension is a crucial skill that plays a significant role in a student’s academic success. However, for struggling readers, developing this skill can be challenging. Comprehension intervention strategies are essential tools that educators can use to support students who struggle with reading comprehension. In this article, we will explore some of the most effective comprehension intervention strategies for struggling readers.
Strategy 1: Explicit Instruction
Explicit instruction is a research-based approach for teaching reading comprehension. This approach involves teaching students specific strategies for comprehension, rather than just asking them to read and answer questions. Students are taught strategies such as how to identify the main idea, making predictions, and drawing inferences. Explicit instruction can be done in a small group or one-on-one setting.
Strategy 2: Vocabulary Instruction
Vocabulary instruction is an essential component of comprehension intervention. By teaching students the meaning of new words and helping them connect those words to what they already know, educators can help struggling readers better understand what they are reading. Vocabulary instruction can be done through explicit instruction or by using context clues.
Strategy 3: Graphic Organizers
Graphic organizers are visual aids that help students organize information. They can be used to help struggling readers understand the relationship between different ideas in a passage. Examples of graphic organizers include Venn diagrams, story maps, and cause-and-effect charts.
Strategy 4: Collaborative Strategic Reading
Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR) is an intervention strategy that involves students working together to read and comprehend a text. In a CSR group, students take on different roles, such as summarizer, clarifier, or predictor. By working together, students can help each other comprehend the text and develop a shared understanding.
Conclusion
Effective comprehension intervention strategies can make a significant difference in the academic success of struggling readers. By using explicit instruction, vocabulary instruction, graphic organizers, and collaborative strategic reading, educators can provide struggling readers with the support they need to develop their reading comprehension skills. These strategies can be adapted to meet the specific needs of individual students and can be used in a variety of settings. With the right tools and support, struggling readers can become successful readers.
