Reading Comprehension

One reading researcher describes reading comprehension as the “essence of reading.” Find out more about how to improve reading comprehension for all students — from young preschoolers to students who are struggling and children with learning disabilities.

Refresh your reading comprehension instruction! Try the Comprehension module in our free, self-paced online course, Reading 101: A Guide to Teaching Reading and Writing.

Featured partner: National Education Association

Featured Video: Reading Comprehension

See all Reading Comprehension video

Our PBS Series:
Launching Young Readers

Reading for Meaning

Learn more about effective classroom strategies to help kids understand — and care about — what they read.

Reading and the Brain

Learn how brain scientists are working to solve the puzzle of why some children struggle to read and others don't.

The Basics

Child holding a turtle specimen at a nature center

Building Background Knowledge

How Knowledge Helps

What Do Reading Comprehension Tests Measure? Knowledge.

Comprehension

Knowledge in the Classroom

What Is Reading? Decoding and the Jabberwocky's Song

Reading Aloud to Build Comprehension

How to Increase Higher Order Thinking

Higher Order Thinking

For Parents

Getting the Most Out of Nonfiction Reading Time

How Parents Can Support the Common Core Reading Standards

Sharing Wordless Picture Books

Use Summer Fun to Build Background Knowledge

Think Alouds to Build Comprehension

Reading Tips for Parents of Third Graders

Mother reading informational book to her two young kids

Family Reading Activities

Flipped Classrooms and Flipped Lessons: What Does It Mean for Parents?

Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions

Making Predictions

Mission Critical: Reading Together to Build Critical Thinking Skills

Use a PEER When You Read Aloud

For Teachers

Teacher assessing student's reading skills

The Simple View of Reading

What Works in Comprehension Instruction

teacher talking with elementary student during lesson

Implementing the Text Structure Strategy in Your Classroom

Designating the MVP: Facilitating Classroom Discussion About Texts

Making Independent Reading Work

Revisiting Read Alouds: Instructional Strategies that Encourage Students' Engagement with Text

Seven Strategies to Teach Students Text Comprehension

Using Collaborative Strategic Reading

Reciprocal Teaching for the Primary Grades: “We Can Do It, Too!”

Building World Knowledge: Motivating Children to Read and Enjoy Informational Text

Strategies that Promote Comprehension

Classroom Strategies

Each strategy includes instructions on how to use, downloadable templates and examples, video demonstrations, children's books to use with the strategy, differentiation for ELLs and students with learning disabilities, and supporting research.

Visual Imagery

Think-Pair-Share

Think-alouds

Reciprocal Teaching

Question the Author

Jigsaw

Professional Development Webcasts

Listen, watch, and learn from top experts in these engaging roundtable discussions. Each webcast features a 60–minute video as well as recommended readings and suggested discussion questions.

The Role of RTI in LD Identification

Implementing Response to Intervention in Early Childhood Settings

Talking Tutoring

Academic Language and English Language Learners

Reading to Learn: ELLs in Grades 4-6

Make Reading Count