Decodable readers, traditionally used to hone decoding skills and reading fluency, can be effectively leveraged to practice a range of critical reading comprehension skills, enrich vocabulary, and explore the complexities of language. Here are several practical strategies teachers can use to maximize the utility of decodable readers.
Comprehension and Recall: To help students engage more deeply with the text, pair each reading with comprehension questions asking students to recall specific details from the story. These questions can range from simple queries such as “Who is the main character?” to more complex inquiries like “Why do you think the character acted that way?” (Cheatham & Allor, 2012).
Vocabulary Expansion: Pre-teach vocabulary words that will appear in the decodable reader while teaching a new phonics pattern. This dual approach reinforces the decoding skill while expanding vocabulary simultaneously (Beck et al., 2013). Offer opportunities for students to encounter these new words in various contexts, enhancing their understanding and retention of the vocabulary (Kilpatrick, 2015).
Exploring Multiple Meanings: Words with multiple meanings, or polysemes, can be introduced and practiced through decodable readers. For example, a book about a seal (the animal) can segue into a discussion about other meanings of the word “seal” (e.g., to close tightly). This practice promotes semantic flexibility in students, enriching their language development and vocabulary expansion (Apel, 2011).
Inferencing: Even though decodable readers are often literal in their content, teachers can create opportunities for inferencing. For instance, if a story describes a character as having a frown and slumped shoulders, prompt students with questions like, “How do you think the character is feeling?” (Mesmer, 2005). The act of drawing conclusions based on indirect cues in the text fosters critical thinking and enhances comprehension (McKeown, Beck, & Blake, 2009).
Main Idea and Supporting Details: Help students identify the main idea and supporting details once they’re comfortable with the text. By categorizing information into ‘main’ and ‘supporting,’ students can practice summarizing, a key skill in understanding and discussing texts.
In conclusion, decodable texts serve a broader purpose beyond the initial phases of reading instruction. Incorporating these strategies allows educators to tap into their full potential as valuable tools for comprehensive literacy development. With innovative utilization of these resources, we can help all students become proficient, multifaceted readers.
Works Cited:
Apel, K. (2011). What is orthographic knowledge?. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 42(3), 592-603.
Beck, I. L., McKeown, M. G., & Kucan, L. (2013). Bringing words to life: Robust vocabulary instruction. Guilford Press.
Cheatham, J. P., & Allor, J. H. (2012). The influence of decodability in early reading text on reading achievement: A review of the evidence. Reading and Writing, 25(9), 2223–2246.
Kilpatrick, D. A. (2015). Essentials of assessing, preventing, and overcoming reading difficulties. John Wiley & Sons.
Mesmer, H. A. E. (2005). Decodable text: A review of what we know. Reading Research Quarterly, 40(1), 66–89.
McKeown, M. G., Beck, I. L., & Blake, R. G. K. (2009). Rethinking reading comprehension instruction: A comparison of instruction for strategies and content approaches. Reading Research Quarterly, 44(3), 218-253.
