How Educators Can Use Research to Shape Reading Instruction Practices
jannat
How Educators Can Use Research to Shape Reading Instruction Practices
The most effective methods of teaching reading in today’s educational environment must be understood by teachers.The debate between building knowledge and teaching reading comprehension strategies continues, but it’s clear that a balanced approach, integrating both elements, yields the best results. Here, we will explain how educators can use research to effectively shape their reading instruction practices effectively, focusing on the importance of the reading comprehension test.
The Science of Reading
The science of reading falls deep into a wealth of research-backed insights on literacy. This includes phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies. While phonics instruction often garners the most attention, it is just one part of the puzzle. Comprehension, a more complex skill, continues to develop over a lifetime and requires a different instructional approach.
How Comprehension and Phonics Are Related to Reading
Phonics instruction should be systematic and explicit. Research shows that many balanced literacy programs failed to catch up in this area, often teaching phonics implicitly or through brief mini-lessons. Our programs address this gap by integrating structured phonics instruction into broader reading comprehension activities.
However, comprehension strategies are equally vital. These strategies are deliberate mental actions aimed at improving understanding. Instruction in these strategies significantly enhances comprehension, but it should be done correctly. Instead of focusing solely on mastering a strategy, teachers should start with quality texts and teach the techniques that best help students understand those texts, including comprehension strategies for reading.
Knowledge Development for Reading Comprehension
Building background knowledge is crucial for adequate reading comprehension. Here’s why:
- Enhances Inferences: Background knowledge helps readers make inferences by combining information from the text with their prior knowledge.
- Creates Mental Velcro: It provides a place to attach new information, making it easier to remember.
- Frees Up Working Memory: Familiar information takes up less space in working memory, preventing cognitive overload and improving comprehension.
- Improves Critical Thinking: Students can think more deeply and critically about what they read with more background knowledge.
Research-Backed Techniques for Classroom Conversions
To effectively integrate research into reading instruction, educators should follow these steps:
- Identify and Explain Strategies: Identify the reading comprehension strategies and explain their importance to students.
- Use Quality Texts: Start with engaging, high-quality texts and introduce strategies that aid in understanding these texts.
- Think Aloud: Model strategies by thinking aloud while reading, showing students how to apply these strategies in real time.
- Guide and Support: Gradually guide students in using strategies independently, offering support as needed.
- Build Knowledge: Continuously build students’ background knowledge through diverse, informative reading materials.
Transforming Your Classroom
Our reading comprehension programs include research-based practices. They offer a comprehensive reading comprehension test to accurately place students at the appropriate level, preventing frustration and ensuring effective learning. The programs feature hundreds of fiction and non-fiction stories designed to appeal to auditory, visual, and tactile learners, gradually increasing complexity to develop students’ skills progressively.
Achieving Balanced Reading Instruction
A balanced reading instruction approach that integrates knowledge-building and comprehension strategies is essential for student success. By following the science of reading and using tools like our programs, educators can create a more effective and engaging learning environment.
Learn how our reading comprehension programs can transform your classroom with structured, research-based instruction tailored to each learner’s needs. Visit our website for a reading comprehension assessment to start shaping your reading instruction practices today.
