Tips for Struggling Readers

Posted by Beth DuBose on Sep 08, 2008

Ten tips for teachers of struggling readers

Reading may be the most important skill for children to learn. Yet, research shows that 26% of twelfth grade students cannot read. What can we do to reach struggling students early? Below are some tips to consider when developing your reading program for this school year:
1. Classroom Expectations
Management and behavior issues can cause a great disruption to instruction, especially during small group instruction. Make sure your students are aware of the expectations in your classroom. Have them posted somewhere that can be easily seen by all students. You can even involve your students in the creation of your expectations.
2. Small Group Instruction
You will have a variety of reading levels throughout your classroom. Working in small groups will allow you to work on specific strategies and skills that each student needs.
3. Universal Screening
Within the first few weeks of school, teachers should assess each of their student’s current levels in reading. By doing this, you will learn the dynamics of your classroom, and have a baseline to show a student’s progress throughout the school year.
4. Progress Monitoring
Once you have a baseline for your students, you should monitor their progress on a regular basis. This will provide you with important information on how a student’s reading skills are improving, and if you need to change your focus on your small group instruction.
5. Motivate Reluctant Readers
You will have a variety of personalities within your classroom. You will need to explore both extrinsic and intrinsic motivations to encourage any reluctant readers. Positive reinforcement is always one of the best ways to encourage a struggling reader.
6. Mentor Program
Establish a mentor program with older students that can work with your struggling readers to provide guidance as they work on specific skills needed to improve their reading fluency and comprehension.
7. Encourage Independent Reading
No matter what their ages, children benefit from independent reading. Create independent reading plans for your class to develop reading skills, goal setting and motivation.
8. Build your Classroom Library
Filling your classroom library with books that are interesting to your students will encourage them read and share what they learn with their classmates.
9. Take Home Books
School and classroom libraries can provide books to those students that may not have access to them otherwise. Whether you encourage your students to check books out of the school library or send them home with a book from your classroom, students should be provided the opportunity to continue reading at home.
10. Home Support
Ongoing support should occur at home to ensure that children retain their reading skills. Research indicates that skills will be lost if not encouraged to practice at home and students that continue to read at home usually improve and retain skills taught in school.