Which strategy is effective for addressing foundational reading weaknesses?

The effectiveness of teacher modeling and guided practice in addressing foundational reading weaknesses lies in its structured approach to instruction. This strategy allows educators to demonstrate specific reading skills and strategies directly to students, thereby providing them with a clear and concrete example of what proficient reading looks like.

During modeling, a teacher can think aloud while demonstrating strategies such as decoding words, using context clues, or summarizing text, which helps students understand how to apply these skills. Guided practice follows modeling, allowing students to practice these skills with support from the teacher. This step is crucial as it gives students the opportunity to receive immediate feedback, ask questions, and correct misunderstandings while they are still learning.

Through this combined approach, students not only learn the mechanics of reading but also build confidence and become more independent readers. This method is particularly effective for addressing foundational weaknesses, as it targets specific areas where students may struggle and provides them with the tools necessary to improve their reading skills.

In contrast, other strategies may not provide the same level of direct instruction and feedback. For instance, peer tutoring sessions rely on student-led support, which may not be as effective if peers are not equipped with the right skills to teach. Timed reading drills focus primarily on speed rather than comprehension or skill development