Getting Back to the Grind: Reading Instruction That Actually Moves the Needle
The New Year always brings a sense of renewal—new goals, fresh energy, and a chance to reset our instructional routines. Whether you are a classroom teacher or a reading specialist, January is the perfect time to pause and reflect on what truly makes the biggest difference for struggling readers.
Here’s the reminder we all need as we get back into the grind.
Consistency Is the Game Changer
If there is one thing that matters more than anything else, it’s consistency. Meeting with students regularly—ideally multiple times a week—has a far greater impact than the “perfect” lesson delivered sporadically. Progress in reading happens through frequent, intentional practice over time, not one-off interventions.
Give Students a Plan When Reading Gets Hard
Struggling readers often shut down because they don’t know what to do when things fall apart. Simple, visible supports can change that.
Consider placing reading checklists on desks or in reading folders that answer questions like:
What do I do when I can’t read a word?
Break the word into phonemes or morphemes
Sound it out
Check for parts I recognize
What do I do when I don’t understand what I just read?
Reread to clarify
Slow down
Use resources to figure out unfamiliar words
These strategies empower students to problem-solve instead of freeze.
Keep It Quick, Engaging, and Active—Especially in Small Groups
Short, high-engagement activities go a long way—especially for students who struggle to sustain attention. Movement is your friend. Quick turn-and-talks, oral responses, word building with manipulatives, or brief movement breaks can dramatically increase engagement and stamina.
Start With a Progress Check
Before diving into new instruction, start with a progress-monitoring check:
What does the student remember?
Which skills need review?
What are the goals for the next two weeks? The next month?
How does remediation connect to grade-level learning?
When skills are solid, increase complexity in small, manageable doses. Growth happens when challenge is carefully calibrated—not overwhelming. Remember: I do, we do, you do.
The Hard Truth: Reading Practice Gets Cut
One of the most astonishing things I have seen in small-group instruction is this:
Many students are not actually reading.
Due to time constraints and behavior management, lessons often include decoding, spelling, and new skill introduction—but fluency practice is skipped. Teachers run out of time, and reading aloud becomes optional.
This is a critical mistake.
Fluency Is Non-Negotiable
All reading skills—phonics, decoding, vocabulary, and comprehension—come together through fluent reading. If students do not have time to practice reading connected text at their instructional level, they will not improve.
Fluency is not an “extra.”
It is not a reward.
It is essential.
If we want readers to grow, they must spend time actually reading—every day.
As we move forward into the New Year, let’s recommit to what matters most: consistency, intentional practice, and making fluency non-negotiable.
Because that’s where real progress begins.
