For a child to improve their reading, a multi-pronged approach is needed. However, in particular, improving reading in the classroom is vital. This article goes through some tactics and ideas for how to do this with a combination of tailored strategies designed to match students' reading levels, interests, and learning needs.
By carefully selecting reading materials, utilising higher interest, lower level (Hi-Lo) books, and supporting vocabulary retention, teachers can create an engaging and effective reading environment. Regular assessments, such as running records, help ensure that students are progressing appropriately and receiving the support they need to improve their reading skills. This article will take you through various approaches for classroom success.
Classroom strategies are just one part of a child's reading improvement journey. To check out extra support check the home help article here, the extra support help here and the assistive technology article here.
Ensuring Appropriate Reading Levels
Ensuring that students are reading books at the appropriate level is a critical component of effective reading instruction. This includes selecting decodable phonics books that align with the phonics skills they have been taught, or books that they can read with 90-95% accuracy.
Regular assessments, such as running records, help teachers continuously evaluate and adjust the reading materials to match each student's progress and needs. When students read at the appropriate level, they are able to develop their reading skills without feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.
Following the below process should provide a good rule of thumb:
Use Running Records:
Regularly assess students' reading levels using running records.
Select Decodable Texts:
For younger students or those who are still mastering phonics, use decodable texts that align with the phonics skills they have learned.
Monitor Reading Accuracy:
Ensure that students can read their chosen texts with 90-95% accuracy. This level of accuracy indicates that the text is challenging enough to promote growth but not so difficult that it leads to frustration.
More tips for the classroom
Higher Interest, Lower Level Books
Hi-Lo books are designed for students who have age-appropriate interests but read below their grade level. These books offer engaging content that resonates with older students, written at a reading level that is accessible to them. This ensures that students remain motivated and interested in reading while still being able to understand and enjoy the material.
Active Reading Strategies
Active reading strategies involve engaging students with the text by encouraging them to think critically as they read. This includes making predictions, summarising parts of the text, asking questions, and visualising scenes and concepts. These strategies help deepen comprehension and foster a more interactive reading experience. For example, a method to look at here would be the 'SQ3R technique'.
To understand more about this and explore the SQ3R technique, click here.
Choral Reading
Choral reading is a classroom strategy where students read a text aloud together, in unison. This method helps students improve their fluency, phrasing, and expression, and it provides a supportive environment where they can practice reading with their peers.
Pre-Reading Key Texts
Pre-reading prepares students for classroom discussions and activities by familiarising them with the material in advance. This approach can reduce anxiety and increase engagement, especially for students who may struggle with comprehension when encountering new texts for the first time.
Reading Across the Curriculum
Reading across the curriculum involves integrating reading and literacy skills into all subject areas. This means that subject teachers, not just language arts teachers, should support students with the specific vocabulary, terminology, and genres relevant to their subjects. This is particularly useful for primary school.