For Teachers: Help! How Do I Teach Reading?

Checklist of Reading Programs for Struggling Readers

Here is a list of effective reading programs designed to help struggling students improve their reading skills.

1. Phonics and Decoding Programs

☐ Wilson Reading System

• Focuses on explicit, systematic instruction in phonics for students with reading difficulties, including dyslexia.

☐ Orton-Gillingham

• Multisensory approach emphasizing phonemic awareness, decoding, and spelling skills.

☐ Fundations

• A structured phonics program for younger students that incorporates multisensory teaching techniques.

☐ Recipe for Reading

• A phonics-based program combining visual, auditory, and kinesthetic approaches.

2. Fluency Development Programs

☐ Read Naturally

• Combines teacher modeling, repeated reading, and progress monitoring to improve fluency.

☐ Six-Minute Solution

• Provides structured, daily fluency practice using paired readings and progress monitoring.

☐ Great Leaps Reading

• Focuses on improving fluency through timed, incremental practice in phonics, reading, and comprehension.

3. Comprehension and Vocabulary Programs

☐ Making Connections

• Builds comprehension skills through explicit instruction and practice with a variety of text types.

☐ Rewards

• Focuses on word attack strategies for multisyllabic words and enhances vocabulary and comprehension.

☐ Read Theory

• Online program providing personalized comprehension practice with leveled reading passages.

☐ Achieve3000

• Differentiated online literacy platform that improves comprehension and vocabulary through nonfiction texts.

4. Multisensory and Intervention Programs

☐ Lexia Core5 Reading

• Targets six areas of reading with adaptive, personalized online instruction.

☐ S.P.I.R.E.

• Orton-Gillingham-based, multisensory program for struggling readers, including those with dyslexia.

☐ Lindamood-Bell (LIPS & Seeing Stars)

• Focuses on phonemic awareness, symbol imagery, and comprehension through multisensory instruction.

☐ Fast ForWord

• Uses neuroscience-based activities to build foundational reading and language skills.

5. Comprehensive Programs

☐ Language! Live

• Integrates online learning and teacher-led instruction to address foundational skills and comprehension.

☐ System 44

• Designed for older students, it focuses on foundational reading skills and building confidence.

☐ i-Ready Reading

• Blends assessment and instruction to address individual student needs and build reading proficiency.

☐ Heggerty Phonemic Awareness

• A daily phonemic awareness curriculum that strengthens foundational skills in early readers.

☐ Reading Mastery

• A direct instruction program that systematically teaches decoding, comprehension, and fluency.

6. Additional Resources and Tools

☐ Raz-Kids

• Provides leveled eBooks and quizzes for independent practice and progress monitoring.

☐ Epic!

• Offers a digital library of books with read-aloud options to engage reluctant readers.

☐ Reading A-Z

• Features leveled books, lesson plans, and assessments for targeted reading support.

☐ Starfall

• Free and paid resources for phonics, fluency, and comprehension practice, ideal for younger students.

Tips for Choosing a Program

• Match the program to your students’ specific needs (e.g., phonics, fluency, comprehension).

• Consider the age and reading level of your students.

• Look for programs that provide professional development or training for effective implementation.

• Monitor progress to ensure the program is meeting student goals.

By selecting the right program and consistently implementing it, you can help struggling readers make meaningful progress.