Do some of your students struggle with understanding what they read? Improving reading comprehension is essential for academic success, yet many students face barriers limiting their success.

Understanding Common Barriers to Reading Comprehension

Some students struggle with reading comprehension due to weak phonics skills. You will notice they have difficulty decoding multisyllabic words. Others can say the words, but are confused because of their limited vocabulary. Still, others perform poorly because they rush through reading the passage and guess the answers to comprehension questions. 

Choosing the Right Strategy for Every Student

As an educator, start by identifying the reason a particular student is struggling. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Using the right strategy is like using the perfect tool to build a sturdy house—just as a hammer drives nails securely and a level ensures balance, the right strategy builds strong foundations of understanding and keeps learning steady and aligned.

Once you identify the specific weakness, you will be better equipped to address their reading comprehension needs. Here are some actionable strategies that can transform struggling readers into confident learners.

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1. Strengthen Phonics Skills with Targeted Practice

Students may struggle to decode words because they lack a strong foundation in phonics. This often results in difficulty recognizing word patterns or blending sounds effectively. For students with weak phonics foundations, returning to basics is essential.

• Segment and Blend Words: Model how to break words into phonemes (e.g., /c/ /a/ /t/) and blend them back together to build decoding confidence.

• Vowel Teams: Vowel teams (e.g., ai, ea, ou) often represent specific sounds, and recognizing these patterns helps students decode unfamiliar words. Understanding vowel team rules gives students predictable strategies for decoding words, reducing reliance on guessing.

• Daily Practice: Dedicate 10-15 minutes daily for explicit phonics instruction, especially for students in early grades or those reading below grade level.

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2. Teach Decoding Strategies for Multisyllabic Words

Decoding longer words can overwhelm students, causing them to lose confidence or skip words altogether, which disrupts reading comprehension. Equip students with strategies such as:

• Chunk the Word: Teach students to break words into smaller, manageable parts (syllables) and decode each chunk.
• Spot Patterns: Highlight common prefixes, suffixes, and root words to build familiarity and make decoding less daunting.
• Model and Practice: Use think-aloud strategies to show how you decode complex words, then let students practice with guided support.

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3. Encourage Thoughtful Questioning Over Rushing

Students who rush through comprehension questions may lack the patience to think deeply about what they’ve read.

• Teach Active Reading: Encourage students to underline key details, jot down notes, or create visual summaries (e.g., story maps) as they read. Use colored pencils to show where they found the answer to a particular question.
• Model Thoughtful Responses: Demonstrate how to analyze a question, find text evidence, and write complete answers. 

• Slow the Pace: Reinforce the idea that success is about understanding the passage, not who finishes the assignment the fastest. Focus on praising effort and thoroughness over being the first one who is finished.

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4. Build Vocabulary Knowledge

A limited vocabulary makes it challenging for students to understand the meaning of unknown words, even in context, which leads to confusion about the overall text.

• Pre-Teach Key Words: Before reading a text, introduce critical vocabulary using visuals, examples, and real-world connections.
• Incorporate Word Learning in Context: Use read-alouds and discussions to expose students to new words naturally.
• Make It Fun: Play vocabulary games like “Word of the Day,” charades, or matching activities to build interest and retention.

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5. Limited Background Knowledge

Without prior knowledge or context about the subject, students might struggle to connect new information to what they already know.

• Images: Show pictures, videos, or real-life objects related to the text to provide context.
• Personal Connections: Facilitate discussions where students share personal experiences or ideas connected to the topic.
• Read Shorter Sections: Break the reading into smaller sections, pausing to discuss or summarize each part with a focus on clarifying unfamiliar concepts.

6. Disinterest in Reading

Sometimes, struggling readers lose motivation because reading feels like a chore. Reignite their love for reading by creating positive experiences.

• Offer Choice: Let students pick books that match their interests and are at an appropriate difficulty level.
• Read Aloud Time: Listening to a fluent reader exposes students to complex sentence structures, rich vocabulary, and expressive reading. This helps them understand and enjoy stories, even if their reading skills aren’t yet strong enough to access the text independently.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge progress, no matter how small, to build confidence and a sense of accomplishment.

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Wrapping It Up

Supporting students with low reading comprehension requires patience, intentionality, and the right strategies. By addressing foundational skills like phonics and decoding, cultivating thoughtful reading habits, expanding vocabulary, and making reading enjoyable, you can help struggling readers unlock their full potential.

Your dedication as an educator transforms challenges into opportunities for growth. Keep fostering a love for reading—one student at a time.

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What strategies have worked for you in addressing reading comprehension challenges? Share your insights in the comments below!