Reading Tips and Strategies for Struggling Learners - Part 1

Hi, I'm Ms. Hibbard, I have been teaching Special Education and Reading for 9 years now, and I'm here to give you some tips and strategies to help you with your struggling reader(s). I know that it can be frustrating at times, and even un-motivating, but let me tell you, our frustration is a small price to pay, when it comes to helping these developing minds of all ages.

Sometimes we just have to take a step back and realize that these big extravagant things we are trying to do, are sometimes to much and overwhelming for students who are struggling. So let's take it back a few steps to some simple and highly effective strategies that our struggling readers thrive off of.

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Reading aloud to them - I can't express how important reading aloud to your students and children are. Reading aloud to students models some of the most important things in reading, such as fluency, decoding, reading strategies, and so much more.

However, let's take it a step past just having them listen to you, and have them sit next to you, snuggle up close, or give them a second copy of the book and have them read along. Have them follow along with their fingers a pencil, ruler or whatever helps them. If they are younger, have their eyes follow your finger as you read so they can see the word as you say it. Even if they don't understand all the words, they are picking up on sounds and sound patterns that they are seeing and hearing over and over again, they are picking up on identifying sight words, and falling in love with the story at the same time.

Reading aloud to them, can develop more than just learning how to read, it can dip into reading comprehension as well if the two of you discuss what is happening in the book, or if they are remembering different facts about the story, seeing the characters develop and can't wait to see what happens.

Reading aloud to them can eventually turn into reading together! Which again is important and highly effective. I have taken reading together and made it look different with many different students. You can read words, pause and have them say the word you just stopped on, and then continue reading and repeat. When doing this, I always stop on words they know, so it builds their confidence. I then turn it into saying one word to two words, or to full sentences depending on age and what we are reading. You as a teacher and parent can choose if you want to take turn reading paragraphs, pages, have your student read a sentence here and there or a word here and there. There are so many different ways reading together can look!

Just remember, reading aloud to your students and children can't be a one and done thing. This has to be something that you make part of your routine, and needs to be consistent.

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Independent and Instructional Level - Yes these are two different things. Actually there are three reading levels, independent, instructional and frustration level. Finding and knowing these levels for your student and child is very important to how your student learns. Sometimes understanding these levels can be hard, so I am going to break them down for you in a simple way.

Independent Reading Level - This level occurs when your students are reading with 94% to 100% accuracy. Most people will tell you 95% or higher. However, I found that letting kids independently read books on a level where they are reading with a 94% accuracy, still keeps them reading and it opens the door to hundreds of extra book options for them. - The independent level is where kids explore their interest and fall in love with reading.

Instructional Reading Level - This level occurs when your students are reading with 90% - 94% accuracy. When kids are working and reading within their instructional reading level, they are 90% of the time working and learning with someone, or have gotten their instructions and are sent to work independently but still have the option to ask questions - The instructional level is he magic happens, this level is where your students learn, develop and grow their reading skills.

Frustration Reading Level - This level occurs when your students are reading with 89% accuracy or below. I know it is hard sometimes, but do your best to avoid this frustration level - The frustration level is where your kids give up, start to hate reading, and say I can't do it.

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Choice - Giving your student or child the power of choice is a wonderful thing when it comes to their willingness to read. Of course there is a time and place for teacher and parent picked reading material but the two should be balanced in order to have great reading instruction. It helps you and students figure out what their interests are when it comes to reading. It helps them build confidence and it helps to motivate and engage the student in what they are reading and learning. Choice is a simple and powerful thing, that I feel we often forget because we are so focused on planning and helping them learn and grow.

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Reading rewards - It is amazing what rewards can do for students, and the effort they are willing to put into something if they know there is a reward at the end, not matter how small. I know kids should be internally motivated but sometimes they just aren't, and rewards goes a long in helping with motivation.

For me, I mostly use sticker charts and token systems. It's amazing how excited kids get to pick out their favorite sticker. When doing sticker charts I use glossy paper so when their chart is full, they can move and use their stickers however they choose. For the token system most of my kids have a cup that is stuck on their desk either by velcro or tape, when the cup is full they get to pick out of the reward bucket. Just remember to switch up what is in the bucket to keep the kids wanting to pull from it.

You can reward kids for going up a reading level, participating in class, not auguring with you for the day, to being able to read a passage with little to no mistakes. You don't have to reward them for every little thing they do, just place it in there every now and then for extra encouragement. These little things go a long way into helping kids stay motivated with their learning, especially if they are struggling.

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Routine - Routine, routine, routine! I can't say this enough. Students, especially those who are struggling learners love routine. Routine helps promote confidence and engagement within students. It helps with transitions and allows students and teachers to spend more time on meaningful learning. Remember, routine doesn't mean boring, just because you have a routine doesn't mean you have to do the same thing every day, just have a schedule and keep to it! Kids love knowing what to expect.

For example, if every day you work on sight words after you read a passage, your sight word time can be independent sight word time, it can be a sight word game, small groups or whole group time. As long as you are doing and working on sight words after your passage reading time.

Again, routine is a small change you can make that helps the learning environment for all.

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I hope this list of tips and strategies have helped you in some way, have helped you re-look at things or helped you remember that sometimes taking a step back to simple is better for struggling student that big, flashy and extravagate. If you enjoyed this, be on the look out for part two. Part two will also include a list of books to help you find books at your student's instructional and independent reading levels, since sometimes that can be such a struggle!