Difficulty in reading can result from specific weak areas. It is important to target these weak areas students struggle with as soon as possible in order for them to catch up. A main area students seem to struggle with is vocabulary. Vocabulary sets the tone for everything a student reads. One way to fix this is by teaching individuals how to search for smaller root-words in larger ones. This will help expand their vocabulary.
Along with vocabulary, students also find difficulty in learning phonics, how sounds and word patterns blend together. According to Education.jhu.edu, “Explicit phonics instruction helps children understand that spoken words are composed of identifiable sounds and that sounds are represented in print by symbols.” Identifiable sounds are key in reading. Some identifiable sounds can be found in letter patterns, not just single letters.
Reading comprehension is another main area of struggle. According to K12reader.com, “Reading comprehension involves the ability to not only read the lines but also the abstract step of reading between the lines”. Students need to adapt to reading beyond the lines because they find it hard to relate new ideas to older ones. In order for individuals with poor reading skills to excel in reading, necessary steps must be made to be sure that they understand the many parts and main ideas of a text. Sometimes, students’ minds wander as they read and they do not comprehend what is on the pages. It is important for students who are struggling with reading comprehension to stop themselves while they are reading and ask themselves if they can recall what they just read. If not, they should reread the previous lines or paragraphs.
Frequency of reading is directly related to a student’s ability to read well. Students who only read at school and not at home also tend to struggle with reading, as reading at home strengthens their skills and gives them the ability to grasp concepts better.
