STRATEGIES

This page is dedicated to providing strategies that can help your student improve their reading and writing.

Reading Strategies


Before Reading: (preferably with parent)

  • Parent or student scan text for new words. Discuss.Note difficult words as student reads. Write these words on cards for student review.*

  • Tell me what you know about this topic from picture and title.

  • Make a prediction about this story from the picture and title.

  • Make a question about this story from the first paragraph.


During Reading:

  • Immediately upon reading a paragraph or page draw a picture of it on numbered paper grids (see form #1).

  • Alternate by reading one line out loud followed by the student reading the same line finger underneath the word (for beginning readers).


After Reading:

Pick a Strategy (a different one each time).

  • Write a caption for each picture (student’s pictures).

  • Change article ending.

  • Extend the story by writing the next chapter.

  • Write a parallel story.

  • Compare with something you know (for example if the story was about an accident you could tell what happened in your accident).

  • Write a summary: Pick a major theme or person and follow the plot (can use student’s pictures).

  • Character Sketch: See form #2 – then put into paragraphs(s).

* 1. Trace word repeatedly as the teacher says it aloud, until the student can write it correctly without looking. Eventually look at the word as he writes it and says it.

2. Draw a picture on a corresponding card or have student attach one. Have the student say names of pictures and match to words as they say them.

3. Teach words in context such as reading or writing them in a sentence

4. When enough words accumulate have the student use them to write a story.