Why are math word problems so difficult for so many of our students? That IS the question!

WORD PROBLEMS REQUIRE A NUMBER OF CRITICAL LITERACY AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS

(which we talk about often!)

So let’s start by thinking through all the skills students need in order to solve math problems effectively.

You can't teach comprehension explicitly.

...at least, that's what we were told when we started in this field. 

After working with hundreds of students, we realized that comprehension can and should be taught explicitly.

...and that teaching it doesn't need to be as hard as we once believed. It just relies on us recognizing one important detail before we jump in. Click here to read more!

In order to be a successful reader, students have to be able to understand what they are reading - not just sound out the words. Keep reading to learn how to use SOR to support students that struggle with comprehension.

Now if you’re like us and you’re obsessed with the science of reading, you may already know that there is a very systematic and structure in which you can teach phonics to help give struggling and beginning readers the tools they need to be successful (and hey - no shame if not, you can check out our phonics blog too). But, did you know there is also really clear set of reading comprehension skills that students need to be successful comprehenders?!

Graphic organizers are visual displays and incredible tools to help your students with writing and comprehension. Graphic organizers can also be called mind maps, concept maps, or concept webs, but they all have the same wonderful purpose - to solidify comprehension. Graphic organizers explicitly teach students how to connect and organize information. They visually show what information to prioritize as well as help students with brainstorming and connecting any background information.

Today, we’re diving right into a pretty loaded topic! We wanted to start the conversation around what students need in order to effectively comprehend lessons in the classroom and what they need to be able to write effectively to demonstrate their knowledge.

Now obviously, this isn’t something we can fully communicate/solve in a single blog post. But … we do have a really good starting point! And, don’t worry, we also have some really good follow-up coming your way!

Just because a student’s decoding becomes more accurate and their fluency (reading speed & accuracy combined) improves does not mean that the child will magically understand everything they are reading. Read on to see how you can support reading comprehension skills for your students.

We are wrapping up the 5 Core Components of Literacy this week with the final component, arguably the most important component, comprehension!

The end goal of reading is obviously…

Reading Comprehension

So how do we make sure that students are able to effectively comprehend what they read?

There are a variety of reasons why students struggle to develop reading and writing skills, and many of these students need explicit instruction in foundational skills such as phonics for decoding and spelling, automatic fluent reading skills, and basic text structures.

Unlock the secrets to effective comprehension instruction! Learn how to craft measurable goals that go beyond personal connections and questioning to truly enhance students' understanding of text. Explore practical strategies like using graphic organizers and precise measurement tools to foster deeper comprehension skills.

Enhance comprehension beyond simple questions! Learn how to foster deeper understanding through implicit and explicit questioning, vocabulary development, and strategic instruction. Explore methods like Webb’s Depth of Knowledge model and assessment tools to drive meaningful comprehension goals.

Discover effective comprehension strategies! Learn how explicit instruction enhances understanding through direct explanation, modeling, guided practice, and application. Explore our grade-based strategies to empower students at every level. Download our free guide aligned with Common Core State Standards for targeted instruction.

We know that comprehending what we read is the sole purpose of learning HOW to read. But surprisingly schools have placed a heavy emphasis on how quickly children read instead of how effectively they are comprehending the material they are reading. While your child may awe you with their oral language abilities (their ability to tell you about complex things going on in the world) you might be surprised to find that your child's reading comprehension skills are breaking down. :

Discover the 4 common reasons for breakdowns in reading comprehension! Learn how weak decoding skills, limited background knowledge, inadequate vocabulary, and poorly developed strategies hinder understanding. Explore our blog for effective comprehension strategies and free resources.

A hallmark of dyslexia is an inconsistency between a child’s reading level and oral language level. Often, dyslexic students are highly verbal; talkative, inquisitive, articulate, and have amazing vocabularies!

One of my all-time favorite students who happened to be dyslexic had the most amazing vocabulary as a young student, he still does today! He would hear a new word used in the context of a book or adult conversation and immediately add it to his repertoire.

Discover the truth beyond tracking words per minute in reading progress. Explore why comprehension matters more than speed, especially for struggling readers. Learn strategies to empower comprehension over speed in literacy education.

Discover concrete strategies for improving nonfiction comprehension in older students, especially those with dyslexia. Learn how to navigate dense texts, decode information, and use text features effectively. Empower students to read to learn and gather information with confidence!

Discover six explicit strategies for teaching comprehension effectively to struggling readers. From creating mental movies to predicting outcomes, explore concrete methods to enhance understanding. Learn how to scaffold comprehension skills and foster metacognition for lasting comprehension success!