Examples of Reading Difficulties

Basic Reading:

• Limited vocabulary

• Weak basic language concepts

• Difficulty understanding language of the text

Reading Comprehension:

• Poor inferences, summarizing, identifying main idea

• “Off-topic” answers to questions

• Poor ability to understand the text (e.g., background knowledge)

*Low vocabulary may be less noticed in reading comprehension due to contextual analysis

Reading Strategies:

Vocabulary Strategies and Instruction

• • Pre-teach vocabulary

  • Systematically teach new vocabulary

  • Teach key verbs, such as those that appear in questions (e.g., demonstrate, analyze, synthesize)

  • Provide specific vocabulary instruction such as the meaning of common prefixes, suffices, and root words

Reading Comprehension Strategies and Instruction

• Read for different purposes -read interactively and frequently to students from a variety of narrative and expository texts, chosen in part for their ability to expand what the students know about the world around them.

Accommodations:

• Extended time