Reading Comprehension in Elementary Grades – BetterGradez Approach

Today’s kids are glued to screens. They spend more time on YouTube, games, and TikTok than reading, which has resulted in shorter attention spans and lower reading comprehension. According to the American Psychological Association, children between the ages of 8 and 12 spend an average of 4 to 6 hours a day on digital devices, significantly taking away time that could be spent reading! At BetterGradez, we address this head-on through personalized 1:1 coaching that creates inner motivation for reading.

Today’s Challenge: Screen Time vs. Reading

Kids are now more accustomed to fast-paced video content rather than immersing themselves in a book. According to Common Sense Media, reading for pleasure has drastically declined, with only 29% of 9-year-olds reading daily in 2019, compared to 53% in 1984. This shift has made it harder for children to engage deeply with texts.

Lower Attention Span

With the rise of video games and TikTok, many children struggle to focus for long periods. Microsoft found that the average attention span has dropped to just 8 seconds. This shift makes it critical to approach reading comprehension in a way that competes with these distractions.

As a result, students are struggling with:

• Lower comprehension levels: Difficulty understanding main ideas and details in texts.

• Limited vocabulary: Reduced exposure to new words, leading to a less rich vocabulary.

• Difficulty making inferences: Struggles with drawing conclusions or understanding subtext.

BetterGradez Approach to Reading Comprehension

At BetterGradez, we fully understand these challenges. Our approach is to rediscover the joy of reading, use technology in a positive way, and involve parents in the learning process to build strong comprehension skills and bonds. Here’s how we tackle it:

1. 1:1 Personalized Tutoring

Personalization is Key: Every child learns differently, and that’s why we believe in 1:1 tutoring sessions. The same tutor works with the student every session, building a rapport and understanding their learning style.

• Better Understanding: The tutor learns about the student’s likes, dislikes, and hobbies, which helps in customizing the reading material. For example, some students may be more engaged with realistic fiction, while others may thrive on fantasy texts.

• Attention-Boosting Techniques: Tutors break reading sessions into manageable chunks, alternating between reading, discussion, and games. With frequent breaks, students stay engaged and gradually start enjoying reading.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students who receive one-on-one tutoring show significant improvements in reading comprehension compared to those in traditional classroom settings.

2. Blending Technology

At BetterGradez, we recognize that technology isn’t the enemy—it’s all about how you use it. Today’s students will need digital skills for their future careers, so we integrate technology in a meaningful way.

• Interactive Sessions: Our tutors make reading interactive, encouraging discussion and having students read aloud. Engaging in quizzes and challenges in a 1:1 setting also helps reinforce comprehension.

• Apps and Games: Tutors also use educational apps and games to make reading fun and playful, taking the "boring" aspect away from reading. As children become more motivated, they become more engaged in reading.

Research shows that technology, when used effectively, can enhance reading engagement and comprehension. Studies by The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) found that interactive e-books and reading apps improve motivation and comprehension in elementary-aged children.

3. Engaging Families

The learning journey doesn’t stop when the tutoring session ends. At BetterGradez, we actively encourage parents and guardians to participate in their child's reading journey.

• Read Together: Our tutors recommend that parents set aside time each day to read with their child. Even just 15 minutes can help establish a habit and provide a solid foundation for improving reading comprehension. According to Scholastic, children whose parents regularly read with them are more likely to develop strong comprehension skills and a love for reading.

• Follow-Up Activities: Our tutors provide parents with easy-to-follow activities and questions to ask their children after reading. This ensures learning continues even when tutoring isn’t in session.

4. Gradual Increase in Text Complexity

At BetterGradez, we understand that every student progresses at their own pace. That's why we carefully tailor the complexity of reading material to suit each child.

• Starting Where They Are Comfortable: We begin at a level where students feel confident. For instance, if a student is comfortable reading picture books, we’ll start there and gradually introduce more complex materials.

• Challenging Texts: As students improve, we introduce them to more complex materials such as non-fiction, informational texts, and stories with intricate plots and themes. This helps them think critically and engage with more sophisticated ideas.

Research from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) supports this approach, finding that gradually increasing text complexity helps improve comprehension and prepares students for future academic success.

5. Encouraging Critical Thinking through Reading

In addition to improving comprehension, we aim to develop a student's ability to think critically about what they are reading.

• Inference and Analysis: Tutors guide students in making inferences about what they read and analyzing characters, motives, and themes. By asking students questions like, “Why do you think the character made that decision?” or “What could happen next?”, we encourage deeper thinking.

• Discussion-Based Learning: Through open discussions, students learn to articulate their thoughts and listen to others' ideas, further developing their understanding of the text.

Critical thinking is essential for understanding both literature and real-world situations. Studies show that students who practice critical thinking during reading are more likely to retain information and perform better academically.

6. Incorporating Non-Fiction

While many children enjoy fiction, it’s important to introduce non-fiction to build comprehension skills needed for real-world tasks. At BetterGradez, we gradually introduce non-fiction texts that:

• Expose children to factual writing: This helps them build comprehension skills for informational texts.

• Teach them to pull out key information: Non-fiction teaches children to identify important details and summarize them.

Research supports the integration of non-fiction into reading curricula, showing that students who read non-fiction texts regularly demonstrate stronger comprehension and critical thinking skills.

In Summary: BetterGradez's Comprehensive Approach

At BetterGradez, we fully understand the challenges today’s children face when it comes to reading comprehension. These challenges—ranging from excessive screen time to shortened attention spans—can be overcome with the right approach. That’s why our personalized 1:1 tutoring, technology integration, parent involvement, and gradual increase in text complexity work together to improve reading comprehension in a fun, engaging way.

Whether your child struggles with basic reading skills or is ready to tackle more advanced material, BetterGradez provides the tools and support they need to thrive. Our goal is to ake reading enjoyable, one child at a time.

Keywords: reading tutor near me, elementary reading comprehension, online reading tutor, personalized reading tutoring, engaging kids with reading

Hashtags: #ReadingComprehension #BetterGradez #OnlineTutoring #ReadingWithKids #EngagingKids

Research Sources:

1. Common Sense Media. (2019). "The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens."

2. Microsoft Study. (2015). "Attention Spans: The Impact of Digital Technology on Cognitive Performance."

3. Scholastic. (2019). "Kids and Family Reading Report: 7th Edition."

4. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). (2018). "Interactive e-books Enhance Student Engagement in Reading."

5. Institute of Education Sciences (IES). (2020). "Effective Strategies for Teaching Reading in Early Grades."