If a student reads word for word with little comprehension, which strategy might a reading specialist suggest?

A useful strategy for a student who reads word for word with little comprehension is to draw loops under phrases in a text. This technique encourages active engagement with the material, prompting the student to identify and focus on important phrases and concepts. By visually marking these phrases, the student can better understand the relationships between ideas and the overall meaning of the text. This method can help improve comprehension by breaking up the reading into manageable segments and drawing attention to key information, thus fostering deeper engagement with the content.

While reading out loud without pauses may promote fluency, it can also hinder comprehension if the student is not connecting the words they are saying to their meanings. Summarizing paragraphs can enhance understanding, but it may be too advanced for a student struggling with basic comprehension and might not provide immediate assistance to improve their reading approach. Using only visual aids could limit the student’s ability to engage with text itself, as successful reading comprehension often requires interaction with the written word in addition to visual tools.