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.
- Items 1 - 12 of 66
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A Gradual Release of Responsibility
Reading Comprehension > Comprehension Strategies > Learn What Works
Dr. Nell Duke describes the “gradual release of responsibility” instructional approach to reading instruction, which involves explicit modeling and opportunities for guided practice leading to...
Resource Type
Expert Interview
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
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
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
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
Partner Sharing: Good Readers Ask Questions
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
Watch a second-grade classroom demonstration of a teacher engaging students in text discussion using multiple techniques focused on questioning. Throughout the lesson, the teacher builds on...
Resource Type
School Example
Pumpkin Pie for Halloween: Text Discussion With English Learners
Reading Comprehension > Engage Students > See How It Works
Watch how a kindergarten teacher uses a variety of strategies to help English learners move from listening to discussing stories. She describes how text discussion develops across the early grade...
Resource Type
School Example