Research-Based Reading Strategies: Effective Methods to Improve Literacy

Reading is a key skill for success in school and beyond. To help students become strong readers, educators use research-based reading strategies—methods proven by studies to work. These strategies focus on five key areas:

• Phonemic Awareness – Recognizing and working with sounds in words.
• Phonics – Understanding how letters and sounds connect.
• Fluency – Reading smoothly with speed and accuracy.
• Vocabulary – Knowing and understanding words.
• Comprehension – Understanding and making meaning from text.

One of the best reading programs is EL Education's Unlock Phonics. It works well for both typical and intervention use. This curriculum is also available digitally in partnership with Kiddom to support literacy growth.

What Are Research-Based Reading Strategies?

Research-based reading strategies are methods backed by science to improve reading skills. They help students develop strong reading habits by focusing on essential skills. When used well, these strategies lead to better comprehension and academic success.

Key Strategies for Better Reading

1. Monitoring Comprehension

Good readers check their understanding while they read. Strategies include:

• Think-alouds – Saying thoughts out loud while reading.
• Marking the text – Highlighting or taking notes on key points.
• Rereading – Going over tricky parts again for clarity.
• Using graphic organizers – Helping students understand connections in the text.
  

2. Using Metacognition

Metacognition means thinking about thinking. It helps students become active readers. They can:

• Plan before reading – Guess what the text will be about.
• Adjust while reading – Slow down or reread when needed.
• Reflect after reading – Summarize key points.
• Use comprehension instruction – Teaching students to monitor their understanding.
  

3. Using Visual Organizers

Graphic organizers help students organize thoughts. Examples include:

• Story maps – Outline characters, settings, and plot.
• Concept webs – Show how words and ideas connect.
• T-charts – Compare and contrast information.
  

4. Asking and Answering Questions

The Question-Answer Relationship (QAR) strategy teaches students how to find answers. There are four types:

• Right There – Answers found directly in the text.
• Think and Search – Answers found across different sections.
• Author and You – Requires using both text and prior knowledge.
• On Your Own – Based on personal knowledge or experience.
  

5. Summarizing

Summarizing helps students focus on the most important information. They can:

• Use one-sentence summaries – Capture the main idea in a single sentence.
• Try the GIST strategy – Summarize in 20 words or less.
• Practice reciprocal teaching – Take turns summarizing with a partner.
  

Literacy Interventions for Struggling Readers

For students who need extra help, literacy interventions provide targeted support. These reading comprehension interventions help students develop stronger skills in understanding texts.

1. Self-Monitoring

Students learn to check their own understanding. Methods include:

• Sticky notes – Write down thoughts and questions while reading.
• Paired reading – Read with a partner and discuss the text.
• Teacher-guided discussions – Clarify misunderstandings with support.

2. Graphic Organizers

These help break down complex ideas. They allow students to:

• Map out key events.
• Identify cause-and-effect relationships.
• Sort main ideas and details.

3. Predicting While Reading

Encouraging predictions keeps students engaged. They can:

• Look at headings and images before reading.
• Make inferences about what will happen next.
• Revise predictions as they read more.
  

Effective Teaching Practices for Reading

Beyond strategies, strong reading instruction relies on structured, evidence-based reading instruction that ensures students build strong literacy skills.

1. Teaching Phonics and Phonemic Awareness

Understanding sounds and letter patterns is key for new readers. EL Education’s Unlock Phonics, powered by Kiddom, offers:

• Step-by-step phonics lessons.
• Digital coaching for extra support.
• Interactive practice activities.
• Decodable readers to reinforce phonics-based learning.
• Explicit instruction to ensure students grasp letter-sound relationships.

2. Building Fluency

Fluent readers read smoothly and with expression. To improve fluency, teachers use:

• Repeated reading – Read the same passage multiple times.
• Choral reading – Read aloud with a group.
• Reader’s theater – Act out scripts for practice.
• Small group instruction – Providing focused support to struggling readers.

3. Expanding Vocabulary

Strong vocabulary leads to better comprehension. Students benefit from:

• Direct instruction – Teaching words and meanings explicitly.
• Word study – Learning prefixes, suffixes, and root words.
• Context clues – Figuring out meanings from surrounding text.
• Reading aloud – Reinforcing new vocabulary and language comprehension.
  

Research-Based Instructional Strategies for Reading

Using research-based instructional strategies for reading ensures students receive the best instruction possible. These evidence-based literacy strategies help them develop essential reading skills while making learning engaging and effective.

• Explicitly teach comprehension strategies – Helping students break down complex texts.
• Encourage students to read often – More reading leads to stronger skills.
• Use reading interventions – Targeted support helps struggling readers catch up.
• Teach reading comprehension strategies – Skills like summarizing, predicting, and questioning improve understanding.
• Support students with structured lessons – Making reading instruction clear and accessible at every grade level.
  

EL Education's Unlock Phonics and Kiddom

EL Education and Kiddom have created Unlock Phonics, a structured phonics program designed for grades 3–5. This program:

• Uses proven instructional methods based on the science of reading.
• Offers flexible, self-paced lessons to meet different learning needs.
• Provides virtual coaching for additional support.

Using Unlock Phonics, teachers can help students develop strong reading skills. This program uses research-based and evidence-based strategies. These strategies lead to long-term success in reading.

Final Thoughts

Using research-based reading strategies is essential for improving literacy. Teachers who apply these evidence-based methods can support student growth in comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency.

With tools like EL Education’s Unlock Phonics and Kiddom’s digital curriculum, teachers can create effective reading lessons. These lessons meet the needs of students in every grade.