#19 Improving Comprehension with ANY Text (Yes, Even if You Must Use a Basal)

After an extended break (and finishing her first book with Scholastic!), Savannah is back on Creating Readers with one of her most practical and passionate topics yet-improving comprehension no matter what text or curriculum you’re using.

In this episode, Savannah shares five tips that teachers can implement right away, even if you’re required to use a basal or “fidelity” curriculum. Learn how to:

• Actively build background knowledge to support comprehension

• Create thematic text sets that deepen understanding

• Teach pronoun referents to strengthen cohesion skills

• Use writing to help students write meaningfully about reading

• Provide explicit vocabulary instruction that actually sticks

If you’ve ever felt boxed in by a mandated program or wanted to make your existing materials work harder for your students, this episode will help you teach comprehension with confidence and creativity.

Resources Mentioned:

Free Vocabulary Planning Template (Once you click, on the right-hand side click the "Use Template" button and it will automatically make you your own copy to use!)

The Knowledge Gap by Natalie Wexler*

The Megabook of Vocabulary by Tim Rasinski, Melissa Cheesman Smith, and ME!

The Vocabulary Book by Michael Graves

*This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.