Reading Comprehension
Explore resources designed to improve reading comprehension in kindergarten through third grades. 
- View a visual diagram of all three practices
- Watch a topic overview and download planning templates
- Listen to an expert
Explore the subtopics below to learn more about the recommended practices:
To learn more about the research underlying these practices, view the IES Practice Guide, Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade.
Using Thinkalouds With Fiction and Nonfiction Text
Reading Comprehension > Comprehension Strategies > See How It Works
Kim Callison, who served on the IES Panel that developed the Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade Practice Guide, demonstrates how to use a thinkaloud to promote...
Resource Type
School Example
Targeting Reading Strategies: Summarizing
Reading Comprehension > Comprehension Strategies > See How It Works
View a presentation of a second-grade teacher using a gradual release of responsibility to teach summarizing. She uses story maps, guided practice, and literacy center games to support students in...
Resource Type
School Example
Science and Math Read-Aloud Lesson Plans
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
This sample material includes lesson plans for two interactive read-alouds in first/second grade: one about trees for a science lesson and the other about sorting for a math lesson. Listen to the...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Third Grade Buddy Talk Lesson
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
This “buddy talk” lesson plan includes objectives, materials, and teacher question prompts. Also included here are student worksheets for making text connections and teacher observation checklists...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Read-Aloud Walk-Through Checklist
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
This checklist was used by a coach to observe a second-grade teacher using multiple strategies to engage students in partner sharing and includes the filled-in form with observation notes. View the...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Teacher and Student Literature Discussion Cards
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
This sample material includes a lesson plan and discussion cards used by a third/fourth-grade teacher to help guide text discussions. The discussion cards provide cues to help students become...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Second Grade Literature Circles Lesson
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
This sample material outlines the sequence of a literature circles lesson, describes the student roles, and includes worksheets for each role. Also included here are several evaluation forms...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Kindergarten Lesson Plan: Character and Setting
Reading Comprehension > Text Structure > See How It Works
This plan was developed by a kindergarten teacher. It provides details on standards, objectives, and essential questions guiding text structure instruction, and describes lesson activities and ways...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Story Elements Graphic Organizer
Reading Comprehension > Text Structure > See How It Works
This organizer was used by a third-grade teacher during a lesson on teaching narrative text structure, specifically identifying problem and solution. Watch the video Gertrude Took a Nose Dive:...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Text Structure Activities and Student Work
Reading Comprehension > Text Structure > See How It Works
This sample material includes a lesson plan, signal words, literacy cards, and graphic organizers used to help students learn about text structures. Two examples of student work are included to...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Bat-Bird Compare and Contrast Graphic Organizer
Reading Comprehension > Text Structure > See How It Works
This organizer was used by a third-grade teacher to teach the compare and contrast nonfiction text structure. It includes filled-in student examples, sections for recording similarities and...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Examples of Effective Reading Comprehension Strategies
Reading Comprehension > Comprehension Strategies > See How It Works
This table from the Practice Guide describes the six strategies that are the most important for improving reading comprehension in the primary grades and provides examples of activities to promote...
Resource Type
Sample Material
