Top 5 Effective Comprehension Strategies for Struggling Readers
Reading comprehension is an essential skill that can impact one’s academic success and future endeavors. However, for some students, comprehension does not come naturally, and they struggle to comprehend what they read. Fortunately, there are several strategies that educators and parents can use to help students develop their comprehension skills. In this blog post, we will discuss the top five effective comprehension strategies for struggling readers.
1. Pre-reading activities
Pre-reading activities are essential for effective comprehension. Before students read, it is essential to help them prepare both mentally and cognitively. One of the most effective strategies is activating prior knowledge. This involves connecting new information to existing knowledge by asking questions related to the topic or discussing what students already know about the subject.
Additionally, graphic organizers and visual aids can be used to help students organize their thoughts and gain a better understanding of the content. Predicting what might happen next, and setting a purpose for reading, also helps students to focus while reading.
2. Vocabulary strategies
Vocabulary plays a critical role in comprehension. When students encounter unfamiliar words, it disrupts their reading, leading to inaccurate comprehension. To address this, educators can use context clues to help students determine the meaning. Additionally, providing explicit instruction on key vocabulary words, using flashcards, and engaging in activities like word games can be extremely helpful.
3. Active reading strategies
Students who struggle with comprehension often read passively, without engaging with the text actively. To improve this, educators can teach active reading strategies that encourage students to interact with the text. This can involve annotating and highlighting key information, summarizing paragraphs or sections, and asking questions.
4. Comprehension monitoring
Comprehension monitoring involves checking for understanding during and after reading. This strategy involves actively thinking and reflecting on the content to ensure comprehension. Educators can teach students to use monitoring strategies like self-questioning, summarizing, and note-taking to help them stay engaged while reading.
5. Test-taking strategies
As important as reading comprehension is, it is often assessed through testing, which can be problematic for some students. To overcome this issue, educators can teach test-taking strategies that help students showcase what they have learned. These strategies include reading the instructions carefully and underlining key information, making educated guesses, and managing time effectively.
In conclusion, reading comprehension is a critical skill that can be developed through a combination of strategies. Pre-reading activities, vocabulary strategies, active reading strategies, comprehension monitoring, and test-taking strategies are all effective methods of improving comprehension skills for struggling readers. By integrating these strategies into instructional practice, educators and parents can help students develop the essential skill of reading comprehension.
