Do you have students that don’t fit into a guided reading group? I have this happen almost every year and I have been teaching for 25 year. That’s a lot of struggling readers. I have come up with some tip for you to use to help your struggling readers. They are simple and easy to implement.
Helping Struggling Readers
Read! Read! Read! We have all heard this saying before. The research supports it and it shows in those students who do this all the time. What about those students who don’t have access to reading materials, or an adult to help them, or just lack interest? Those are usually your struggling readers. I work in one of the poorest communities in the country and constantly have to work on ways to help my lower readers.
Reading Strategy
When I read with my struggling readers, I find that they don’t listen to what they are reading and say all kinds of crazy stuff. (Sometimes in my head I think what in the world). What do I do when I hear this? Rereading is the key to helping them realize that they made a mistake. Once it clicks for them, they become better readers. One of my students this year has become a pro at this because of the individual time I have devoted to him. We have been working on this skill all year. In my experience, the way you get them to do this is by listening to them read individually and having them use the reading strategy of going back and rereading
Grouping Students
Grouping students who struggle can be difficult. They don’t seem to fit in a group together. Even though they struggle they differ on the levels they are at. So, that is why I work with them individually. It isn’t always easy to fit them in. I try to get them in the morning while my other students are doing their morning work. Also, I take them on my plan or during computer time. When I do group them it is for skill practice and not a guided reading lesson. An example would be practicing sight words or working on a phonic skill.
I know we face many challenges in our classroom. I hope that this has given you some helpful tips to use in your classroom. What is one thing you do to help your struggling readers?
