Teaching Reading Comprehension to Students with Learning Difficulties

This practitioner resource and course text has given thousands of K-12 teachers evidence-based tools for helping students; particularly those at risk for reading difficulties; understand and acquire new knowledge from text. The authors present a range of scientifically validated instructional techniques and activities, complete with helpful classroom examples and sample lessons. The book describes ways to assess comprehension, build the skills that good readers rely on, and teach students to use multiple comprehension strategies flexibly and effectively. Each chapter features thought-provoking discussion questions. Reproducible lesson plans and graphic organisers can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8½" x 11" size.

New to This Edition

• Chapters on content-area literacy, English language learners, and intensive interventions.
• Incorporates current research on each component of reading comprehension.
• Discusses ways to align instruction with the Common Core State Standards.
• Additional instructional activities throughout.

Key Features:

• Popular, award winning (Choice Outstanding Academic Title) resource, thoroughly revised: features 35% new material.
• Acclaimed for providing clear, evidence based, user friendly approaches.
• More practical material: second edition includes additional classroom activities.
• Broader scope: now covers ELLs and content area literacy.
• Perfect for both general and special education teachers and reading specialists.

Table of Contents

1. Overview of Reading Comprehension
2. Assessing Reading Comprehension
3. Vocabulary Instruction
4. Instructional Practices That Promote Reading Comprehension
5. Promoting Content Area Literacy
6. Supporting English Language Learners with Learning Difficulties
7. Intensive Interventions for Students with Significant Reading Comprehension Difficulties
8. Multicomponent Approaches to Strategy Instruction

Glossary

"There are many good books out there on reading comprehension, and many about students who struggle in learning to read. This book is so welcome—so indispensable—because it manages to address both issues well and at once. If you want to know how to successfully teach struggling readers to understand and appreciate what they are reading, this is the book you have been waiting for."
- Timothy Shanahan, PhD, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of Illinois at Chicago

"I recommend this book for undergraduate and graduate students and practicing teachers who work with students who struggle to understand or learn from text. The second edition is updated with valuable discussions of implementing the Common Core State Standards, evidence-based practices for English language learners, and the distinction between disciplinary literacy and content-area literacy."
- Barbara Foorman, PhD, Francis Eppes Professor of Education and Director, Florida Center for Reading Research, Florida State University

"As a busy teacher, when I read a book, I want it to be full of useful research and activities that I can implement easily and immediately. Teaching Reading Comprehension to Students with Learning Difficulties is just that kind of book. It offers relevant information—organized in a very accessible fashion—that has helped make me a better teacher."
- Jasmine McGarr, MSEd, elementary resource teacher, St. Vrain Valley School District, Longmont, Colorado