Hi Reader!

As a classroom teacher first—and later a reading interventionist—I’ve always stood firmly on the grade-level text hill. I believe in helping struggling readers reach proficiency as quickly as possible, so they can fully participate in the learning around them.

In the past, that meant joining peers in thoughtful conversations about books and seeing themselves as capable readers. Those goals still matter—but the stakes are even higher today. Proficiency now also means passing state assessments, leaving intervention blocks, and gaining access to expanded opportunities.

So how do we help students make that progress—efficiently and effectively?

Below are a few practical ways to move the needle by teaching to the gap!

Stay tuned for:

March 26: Test Prep for Striving Readers

April 9: Literacy Menus for Scaffolding

1. Understand “grade-level text”

Using text complexity indicators

☘️Free Resource: Readability Chart

Four pages of text measurement tool comparisons and explanations have been added to the Building Comprehension Skills Playbook.

To Use

• Print these four pages as a quick reference.
• Use them to identify grade-level expectations.
• Set instructional goals based on grade-level equivalents.

2. Determine the gap

Deficits steer your instruction

Your students were likely identified for intervention because their comprehension scores indicate below-level performance. To make your instruction as efficient as possible, determine each student’s specific needs.

You can do this through:

• informal error analysis
• diagnostic assessments

Once you’ve identified those needs, track them using the Student RX page, which helps organize observations and plan targeted support.

☘️Free Resources: Data Collection and Response Playbook, Juggling Needs Playbook, and Student RX page

To Use:

• Start with the Data Collection and Response Playbook to gather and interpret student data.
• Use the Student RX Page (included in the Juggling Needs Playbook or available in the Freebie Library).
• Record observations and plan targeted interventions using the step-by-step guidance provided.

2. Teach to the deficits using increasingly difficult text

Increase text difficulty gradually

This is where the magic happens!

When you address students’ specific needs while gradually increasing the level of challenge, they can successfully engage with grade-level text.

☘️Free Resource: Prepare a Text page and checklist

To Use:

Step 1: Choose the right text

• Select texts 50–100 Lexile points above students’ typical success level.
• If teaching a group, use multiple versions of the same text when possible.
• If you don’t use Lexile levels, choose a text at the challenging edge of student ability or a commonly used at their grade level.

Step 2: Analyze the text

• Use the Prepare a Text method.
• Focus on one layer of complexity at a time.

Step 3: Plan instruction

• Use the checklist to identify text features.
• Note areas where students may need additional support.

Want this ALL done for you?

☘️Low-cost resource: Reading Passages Growing Bundle

This bundle provides engaging informational text at two levels (810-1000L and 1010-1200L) designed to help you close the gap to grade-level reading.

It also includes teaching points and supports that help address common student deficits.

$8.10 Reading Passages Growing Bundle This growing bundle of reading passages helps you meet the needs of your students while closing the gap to grade-level... Read more Take me to the bundle!

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3. A word of concern

Computer programs have limitations

You may be thinking:

Even with the advances AI has brought to digital reading instruction, our position remains the same:

If a computer program could have fixed it, it would be fixed by now.

Struggling readers need your expertise to address the specific deficits that will ultimately place them on a level playing field with their peers.

Knowledgeable interventionists who believe in their students remain the most powerful resource we have.

Move the needle for your teachers

Coach this at Tier 1 level

If your teachers need additional support with scaffolding text for striving readers, explore these resources:

☘️Free Resource: Text Complexity Links - part of the Building Comprehension Skills Playbook

To Use:

• Click through the curated articles.
• Share them with teachers who want to deepen their understanding of text complexity and scaffolding.

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