Best Strategies for Boosting Elementary Reading Comprehension?

Question

What are the most effective strategies for improving reading comprehension in elementary students?

Answer 1

Remember that even if a student at the elementary level is able to read with fluidity and expression aloud, it may not necessarily demonstrate that they understand what they are reading. Unless a student has been taught using a phonics-based approach with a strong emphasis on morphology, they may lack familiarity with the words they're reading, even though they seem to sound them out just fine. If they're struggling with reading comprehension, lower the difficulty of what they are reading and slow them down. Ask them to read a passage multiple times, or read a passage to them and have them echo your reading. Building true fluidity and automaticity by reading simpler passages is a good first step for building reading comprehension.

Answer 2

Elementary reading comprehension strategies include activating prior knowledge, making predictions, identifying the main idea, summarizing, making inferences, visualizing, and using story maps. These strategies help students understand and engage with the text. 

Answer 3

After a student is able to read a text, they have to make meaning. Student must be actively engaged in these processes as the parent/tutor is modeling this. Here are some effective strategies:

1. Predicting

Before reading, ask children to look at the cover, illustrations, or titles and predict what the book might be about. This engages their curiosity and encourages them to connect with the story.

2. Visualizing

Encourage readers to create mental images of the story as they read. After a passage, ask them to describe or draw what they imagine. Visualizing can make the story more engaging and memorable.

3. Connecting

Help students relate the story to their own lives, other books, or things they’ve seen or heard about. Making these personal or real-world connections can deepen understanding and make reading more enjoyable.

4. Questioning

Teach them to ask questions about the text as they read. Encourage them to wonder about the characters, settings, and events. This keeps them engaged and looking for answers as they read.

5. Summarizing

After reading a section, ask the reader to retell it in their own words. This helps solidify their understanding of the story and improves their memory of what they’ve read.

6. Clarifying

Teach beginning readers to stop and clarify when they don’t understand something, whether it’s a word, sentence, or part of the story. Encourage them to reread, use context clues, or ask for help if needed.

7. Using Graphic Organizers

Use simple graphic organizers like story maps, sequence charts, or character webs. These tools help young readers organize information and better understand the story structure.

8. Think-Alouds

Model the process of thinking while reading. As you read aloud, pause to talk about your thoughts, questions, or predictions. This helps beginning readers understand how skilled readers engage with text.

9. Identifying Key Story Elements

Encourage children to look for key story elements like characters, settings, problems, and solutions. This helps them focus on important aspects of the story and improve overall comprehension.