Guide instruction on the preview of text features before reading it. Navigate the overall features: the table of contents, glossary, index, subtitles, charts and graphs. Give short lessons on each feature, and build in mini-practice exercises like word or "scavenger" hunts.
Pre-teach vocabulary before assigning reading. Pull out vocabulary words that you know will be challenging or new to them, such as specific science or math words. Ask them to think about a word similar to it, and examine the roots of the word for similarities.
Take double-sided notes while reading, with the word, concept or idea on one side and questions on the other side. When finished with the reading, they can answer their own questions while taking responsibility for understanding the material. Students will eventually learn to ask these questions while they read without having to write them down, improving their reading comprehension.
Summarize or paraphrase chunks of reading, such as each section or every three paragraphs. Go back and re-read if necessary. Use these short summaries and paraphrases as notes for review of material in preparation for a test or for written assignments.
Practice repeated reading of material, reading faster with each successive read. Read as quickly as possible, when possible. Each time something is read a second or third time, even if faster, more is taken in, because on average we only retain about 20% of what we read. Reading faster helps build better reading skills, as long as it is repeated reading.
Build in reflection time for all reading by facilitating class and peer discussions and by encouraging students to write down thoughts immediately after reading. Writing down questions and thinking about what was just read inspires more reading and inquiry, which all leads to better reading and increased comprehension.