Test the student. All students should be tested to pinpoint areas of strengths and weaknesses. Have each student read a grade-appropriate passage out loud. As the student reads, note any hesitations in her speech. Note what words she can understand as well. Pay attention to how she decodes letters and phases. A student may demonstrate a partial understanding of phonemes or none at all. Students should also be tested for their ability to write. Writing and reading abilities are closely linked together. Ask students to write five sentences of their own choosing on a familiar topic such as a pet or a recent vacation.
Focus on the mechanics. A student may have trouble with reading because of an underlying deficit in language processing, vision or hearing. Watch and listen to each student as they speak and read. A student may pull the book close to his face if he needs glasses. Students who have speech problems can have problems with their hearing. A student may also have a problem that makes it difficult for him to understand the smallest unit of language known as the phoneme. If you suspect a sensory problem, contact the child's parents to initiate further testing.
Provide material geared toward the child's interests. Ask students to fill in a list of their favorite things. The list might include their favorite movies, television shows, colors, foods, places to travel, holidays and games. Find books to help spark interest about these interests. For example, if a child states that she loves to go bird watching, get books from the library about birds. The book selection should include more advanced books to help provide her with an incentive to master new material.
Allow students to draw on skills they have already mastered. A first-grader might like to draw, dance or play music. Ask the student to draw a picture of the alphabet and each sound the letter makes. Provide students with crayons and paper. Have them draw a story for you and then read it back. Place the student's pictures on the wall of classroom to show their achievements to other students.
Let students take turns playing teacher. After a student has learned a particular skill, such as the meaning of a series of age-appropriate words, invite the student to teach a short, five-minute lesson to his fellow students based on what he has learned. Provide the student with chalk and a clean area of the blackboard.