Assess the reader's present skills using observation and informal tools such as a commercial or teacher-created Informal Reading Inventory. Be sure that the reader demonstrates mastery of a basic sight word list such as the Dolch list or the Fry 1000 Instant Words, which are available on various websites. Use the evaluation information to determine an approximate reading grade level. Conduct an error analysis to pinpoint weak phonics or word analysis skills.
If the student's overall reading level is below the ninth grade, design and implement lessons to remediate weak skills. Begin instruction at the level where the student is reading confidently and fluently. Lessons should include focus on word analysis, fluency, vocabulary and reading comprehension. Re-evaluate the student's reading ability and compare the results with the initial evaluation to assess progress and to choose new target skills for remediation as needed. Repeat this process until the student's overall reading grade level is at ninth grade.
Begin reading instruction for the GED when a student has attained at least a ninth-grade reading level. For each skill, design an informal evaluation tool to assess the student's present level of functioning, diagnose specific skill deficits and monitor progress.
Teach differentiation of main idea from supporting details. GED candidates will need to locate main ideas in paragraphs and in passages. Main ideas are often included in topic and thesis sentences. Supporting details include examples, arguments, descriptions, similarities and differences. It is important to provide instruction about main ideas in many genres, such as fiction, articles, essays and poetry because the GED includes readings from many types of text.
Conduct lessons about making inferences, as well. GED candidates need to be able to figure out character traits, settings and even outcomes by reading text passages that do not include express descriptions of these things. The ability to make correct inferences is foundational to prediction skills and evaluation skills that are required on the GED.
Teach skills related to functional reading. GED tests include sample documents similar to those commonly used in the business world, such as employee handbooks, memos and policy documents. A student should be able to identify the purpose of the document, find necessary information and respond to questions regarding the details of the text.
Build vocabulary as much as possible. Students should become familiar with general vocabulary words at the high-school level as well as subject-specific words related to grammar, literature, science, social studies and math. A good source of subject-specific words to review can be found in glossaries of high-school level textbooks in each subject.