When reading stops making sense, name the problem

Rereading an entire passage repeatedly may not address the difficulty. Help the reader locate the confusing sentence, unfamiliar reference or broken connection, then choose a repair that responds to that particular problem.

Treat rereading as purposeful investigation. The reader should identify the confusing part and select a strategy that addresses that particular difficulty.

A purposeful reread has a question

A learner notices that 'it' could refer to two objects and rereads the previous sentence before deciding.

Read a manageable passage. Identify the confusing reference or event. Reread or ask a focused question.

What specifically became clearer after the repair? Read aloud and let the learner signal a pause.

Silent completion does not prove understanding.

Resources

• Six-Panel Comic Challenge — Use the panels when a visual story sequence supports the task.

Further reading

• Literacy Hub — Teaching reading professional learning

Read next

• A vocabulary example is stronger with a non-example
• An opposite depends on which meaning you mean
• A story title should create the right expectation

Explore Reading, vocabulary and storytelling. Browse all teaching articles.