Reading Strategies

LOW-TECH (Easy)

  • Line/reading guide:Construction paper, rulers, highlighters, etc
  • Change appearance of text: Italics, bold, underline, highlight, etc.
  • Increase white space and decrease distractions on reading material
  • Peer / adult reading
  • Simplify complexity of text: Color code words or phrases, Fitzgerald Key
  • Educate on key site words prior to activity
  • Encode words: provide cueing for pronunciation of words (i.e., highlight long vowel sounds in yellow)
  • Active reading (i.e., student places Post-It® note on specific section of text to allow for quick question/referral while reading)
  • Verify comprehension
  • Summarize text frequently
  • Provide questions to encourage thought prior to reading
  • Read in small groups with limited distractions
  • Preferential seating: study carol
  • Illustrate text after reading:keep a visual diary/journal
  • Decode words: pronunciation guide
  • Increase time to complete reading assignments
  • Decrease length of reading assignments
  • Use of music to reinforce memory of key words

MID-TECH

  • Digital Books from Bookshare.org
  • Tumblebooks.com (see school website for username and password)
  • Start to Finish Books http://www.donjohnston.com (available at the ATRC)
  • Use of color transparencies or color overlays to enhance contrast between words.
  • High interest low readability level
  • Magnifying glass
  • Enlarge text

HIGH-TECH

  • Text to Speech/Word Prediction Software:
  • Reading aids: Talking spell checker/dictionary as word recognition aid
  • Electronic reference tools: Encarta, dictionary, thesaurus
  • Spellcheck dictionary (Franklin)
  • Spellcheck/Grammercheck on word processing program
  • E-readers and Digital books
  • Symbol to text software – Boardmaker, Writing with Symbols, Symbol Styx