Why do so many teachers and tutors claim to use best practices in reading instruction when they neglect the most important methods? The National Reading Panel reviewed decades of 
research on reading and determined that struggling readers need a solid foundation, a foundation that extends far deeper than phonics. Sound Reading software builds this foundation using the most advanced software available.
Reading comprehension practices that ensure success for struggling readers must include auditory processing (making sense of spoken words) activities so students can connect printed words and meaningful spoken words. Virtually all students who struggle with reading have subtle problems with auditory processing, the leading cause of comprehension difficulties in secondary students.
Many who believe that they are following best practices in reading still neglect phonemic awareness instruction. This is sad, as a few hours working on phonemic awareness is often the fastest route to reading success. Early research showed that phonemic awareness was important for kindergarten and first grade students. Recent research, including the research Sound Reading is based on, shows that it critical for older students. The reason is simple; as words get more complex students require greater phonemic awareness to make sense of them.
Reading comprehension practice doesn’t have to be a protracted battle. There are many strategies that are useful, but only a few that stick. The first is “Stop and Think.” The teacher places post-its at critical places in a story. When a student comes to a post-it he stops and thinks. Then he employs the second strategy, he “Turns and Talks” to his reading partner and they have a minute talk about the passage. The Sound Reading Small Steps Readers have these strategies built into each Small Steps story.
When you are looking for best practices in reading instruction please remember that virtually all secondary students have underdeveloped phonemic awareness and at least one additional auditory issue. Phonemic awareness and auditory instruction isn’t just for young students. As words get more complex there is a greater need for deep phonemic awareness. There is a reason students struggle with print for years. These issues include auditory discrimination, sequencing, memory and attention issues. Sound Reading software builds the auditory skills that make learning to read effortless.
Another best practice in reading for comprehension growth also uses post-its. This method uses the natural language strategy of “Does it Sound Right?” This is better than asking, “Does it make sense?” Every time a student encounters a word or phrase that causes her to pause she places a small post-it strip on it. When the chapter is completed the student goes back and reads each paragraph that contains a post-it. If the passage now makes sense the post-it is removed. If the student is still confused then the post-it remains until a peer or a teacher helps.
Best practices in reading should always emphasize fluency. One of the most important research findings is that fluency is the key to meaningful reading and motivation. Even slightly 
labored reading can limit comprehension. Researchers have found that most “lazy” readers actually have reading fluency difficulties. The Sound Reading Small Steps Readers develop fluency on with simple and complex words, as well as with sentences and stories.
Reading comprehension practice shouldn’t be hard to implement. Teachers are about the only group of workers who are expected to come up with their own material and methods. The Sound Reading Games, Readers and remedial reading software are designed by teachers to be ready to use with minimal training.
We all want to use best practices in reading instruction to help our students grow. To determine which methods to use think about:
A. How appropriate are the methods for your students?
B. How much time will it take to implement the methods?
C. How will I track student progress?
Visit Sound Reading Solutions today and take our free reading assessment test to evaluate your child’s reading abilities and how we can help.