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.
"I Can..." Reading Strategy Books
Reading Comprehension > Comprehension Strategies > See How It Works
This student booklet was created by a second-grade teacher to help her students keep track of the reading strategies they have learned and to remind them to use them as they read. Watch the...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Illustration of Gradual Release of Responsibility Model
Reading Comprehension > Comprehension Strategies > See How It Works
This illustration from the Practice Guide shows instructional practices to gradually release responsibility from teachers to students as a task progresses. It describes the task, the share of...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Examples of Multiple Strategy Formats
Reading Comprehension > Comprehension Strategies > See How It Works
This table from the Practice Guide shows four examples of multiple-strategy formats that combine strategies with an explicit method of teaching them—Reciprocal Teaching, Transactional Strategy...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Principal's Walk-Through: Observation and Feedback Form
Reading Comprehension > Comprehension Strategies > See How It Works
This checklist is used by a principal to conduct classroom observations and provide feedback to teachers. Principals and coaches can adapt this walk-through to monitor instruction and engage staff...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Question Sea Worksheets
Reading Comprehension > Comprehension Strategies > See How It Works
These worksheets were developed by a third-grade teacher and her colleagues to help students understand the difference between on-the-surface and under-the-surface questions about text. Watch the...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Peer Observation Form
Reading Comprehension > Comprehension Strategies > See How It Works
This form is used to guide teacher observations of comprehension lessons taught in peer classrooms. The form lists reflection question stems to focus observations and a chart for taking notes on...
Resource Type
Sample Material
Guide Text Discussion: Preparing Primary Grade Students for Text Discussion
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > Overview & Tools
Reading coordinators and literacy coaches can use this planning tool to facilitate an in-service training for teachers. Teachers will view and discuss slideshow examples and use a question chart...
Resource Type
Tool
Guide Text Discussion: Observing Text Discussion in K-3 Classrooms
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > Overview & Tools
Use this tool to conduct classroom observations and plan feedback conferences with teachers to deepen their understanding of strategies for small group and partner text discussion. The checklist...
Resource Type
Tool
Motivate Students: Schoolwide Reading Environment Inventory
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > Overview & Tools
Download this inventory tool to assess the degree to which the school has established an engaging schoolwide reading environment. Principals can create a building-level leadership team to identify...
Resource Type
Tool
Motivate Students: Learning Together About Motivating Readers
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > Overview & Tools
Use this tool to plan in-service activities for staff to learn about establishing a schoolwide reading environment. During this session, teachers will participate in a large group discussion and...
Resource Type
Tool
Instructional Planner: Strategies for Teaching About Text Structure
Reading Comprehension > Text Structure > Overview & Tools
Use this tool to help teachers develop instructional plans for teaching about text structure. A note-taking tool guides participants’ viewing of related media and a planning tool identifies...
Resource Type
Tool
Learning Together About Text Structure
Reading Comprehension > Text Structure > Overview & Tools
Professional development providers and literacy coaches can use this tool to introduce teachers to the key concepts in teaching their students about text structure. Included in this tool is a set...
Resource Type
Tool
