In shared reading, young readers share a large-scale or large-print book with a more experienced reader, such as a teacher or an older student. The younger and more experienced reader both ask questions and give answers, sound out words together and interact about the text's meanings and implications. Shared reading makes difficult materials more accessible, gives students confidence, and allows the assistant to direct the young student's focus, develop his vocabulary and connect existing knowledge with new information.
Phonemic awareness is the ability to isolate and interact with individuals sounds within a word (like the three sounds in the word jam, /j/ /a/ /m/). This awareness increases reading comprehension by allowing children to accurately and quickly absorb the true meaning of each word by noticing each of its sounds and interpreting accordingly. Experts at the National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, the U.S. Department of Education and the National Institute for Literacy agree that phonemic awareness influences reading comprehension for students in grades K-3.
Discussion is a key component in reading comprehension for K-3 students and also serves as an assessment aid to determine if students are struggling with comprehension. Asking questions and interacting about reading assignments ensures students are reading slowly enough that they are absorbing all information, while encouraging them to think creatively about the new information they have received. Discussion also helps cultivate a view of reading as meaningful because it emphasizes the connection of existing knowledge with new information.
Choosing texts that are textually rich, meaningful in a literary sense and appropriate for the students' comprehension level is key to developing reading comprehension. Students at this level should be reading multiple genres, from poetry to fables, fiction and nonfiction. This will help them understand text presented in a variety of ways. In addition, students will engage most fully with rich, vivid texts that spark their imaginations.
A motivating reading environment cultivates comprehension by putting the student's comprehension skills in his own hands instead of the teacher's. Allowing students choice in reading material and encouraging them to see themselves as good readers can keep them motivated. Similarly, allowing students to discover books on subjects that already intrigue them or letting them learn a new hobby or pursue a new interest through reading strengthens their comprehension using their own motivations.