Expert answer
There are a number of approaches to helping students organize their thinking and get the most out of textbooks. Some of the strategies, such as the SQ4R process(opens in a new window), are useful in upper elementary, middle, high school, and college levels.
You may find the following articles of interest:
- Textbook Reading Strategies(opens in a new window)
- Comprehension Instruction: What Makes Sense Now, What Might Make Sense Soon(opens in a new window)
- Comprehension Instruction: What Works
- Improving Comprehension for Students with LD
- Reading Aloud to Build Comprehension(opens in a new window)
- Teach the Seven Strategies of Highly Effective Readers(opens in a new window)
- 20 Online Resources on Reading with Comprehension and Engagement(opens in a new window)
- Teaching Reading to Teens with Reading Disabilities(opens in a new window)
Also, having the students complete simple text summary activities can help you get a better idea of which aspects of comprehension they find difficult. Our sister site, AdLit(opens in a new window), has several summary sheets(opens in a new window) available, as well as an excellent library of comprehension articles.
Finally, the Learning Strategies Database(opens in a new window) at Muskingum College’s Center for Advancement of Learning (CAL) has a very useful website. It has an extremely comprehensive listing of reading comprehension strategies applicable to both secondary and postsecondary instruction.