This Reading Comprehension Guide is a flexible, research-aligned resource designed to deepen students’ understanding of any text—fiction or nonfiction—while fostering critical thinking, vocabulary development, and independent reading strategies.

Rooted in my own learning from the Science of Reading, this guide intentionally integrates evidence-based practices that support language comprehension and knowledge-building. It scaffolds the reading process into three phases: Pre-Reading, During Reading, and Post-Reading, equipping students with the tools they need to access and engage with texts at a deeper level.

How It Helps Educators:

• Low Prep, High Impact: Minimal preparation is required—just print and go! Perfect for busy teachers who want quality instruction without the overwhelm.
  
• Easily Differentiated: The guide supports multiple entry points and can be tailored for various reading levels, abilities, and learning needs.
  
• Adaptable to Any Text: Whether you're using a science article, short story, novel excerpt, or textbook passage, this guide applies universally.
  
• Supports Various Instructional Formats:
  • Can be facilitated in the Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) style—encouraging collaborative group work and vertical thinking.
    
  • Ideal for small group instruction, where teachers can coach and model specific skills.
    
  • Perfect for independent practice, giving students a structured way to interact with texts meaningfully.
    

What’s Included:

• A pre-reading section to activate background knowledge and set a purpose for reading
  
• Vocabulary strategy guides grounded in morphology, parts of speech, and context clues
  
• A post-reading menu of comprehension tasks promoting synthesis, analysis, and personal connection
  

Whether you're building comprehension skills in upper elementary, middle school, or even intervention settings, this guide supports you in delivering science-backed, student-centered instruction that builds confident, capable readers.