Unlocking the Secrets to Reading Success: Practical Tips from Jeanne Chall
Why Should We Care About Reading, Anyway?
Reading might not seem as essential as finding your phone charger, but it’s arguably even more important! In today’s digital world, reading shapes how we understand and interact with everything from TikTok captions to mind-bending sci-fi novels. Yet, it’s true: kids today often don’t see the inside of a library unless they’re dragged. And as research pioneer Jeanne Chall showed us, solid reading skills don’t just appear out of thin air—they’re built, one page at a time.
Whether you’re a parent hoping to support your child’s reading journey, a student navigating increasingly complex texts, or a teacher aiming to enrich your reading instruction, this guide inspired by Chall’s research is for you. At BetterGradez, we’re here to bring these insights to life through personalized, 1:1 reading coaching designed for every stage of development.
1. The Phonics Debate: What Learning to Read: The Great Debate Taught Us
If you’ve ever wondered why kids start with rhyming cat, bat, and hat, thank Jeanne Chall. In Learning to Read: The Great Debate, she dug deep into whether phonics or whole language was the better way to start reading. Spoiler alert: phonics won! Teaching kids the sounds of letters helps create a strong foundation, like learning the “ABCs” of how to unlock reading comprehension.
Try This at Home: Have a little fun with phonics by creating a “rhyme time” game at home. Challenge your child to come up with as many rhymes as possible in two minutes for words like “map” or “sun.” The goal? To practice blending sounds and make phonics feel like a playful puzzle!
BetterGradez’s Approach: With our 1:1 reading coaches, phonics becomes a game, not a chore. We incorporate interactive phonics exercises that allow students to learn through practice—without the usual boredom. Coaches bring words to life, turning decoding into a hands-on experience with flashcards, phonics games, and lots of rhyming fun. It’s all about transforming reading from a challenge to something students actually look forward to.
2. Reading in Stages: Stages of Reading Development
In Stages of Reading Development, Chall identified that kids progress through stages of reading mastery. Starting with phonics, they eventually move on to interpreting the deep meanings of complex texts (hello, future SATs!). Think of these stages like a reading ladder, where each rung represents a new skill.
The Stages Breakdown:
Stage 1 (Grades 3-4): Kids are still learning to decode but are ready for simple story comprehension. This is where we start at BetterGradez.
Stage 2 (Grades 4-5): Readers gain fluency and confidence in basic comprehension.
Stage 3 (Grades 6-8): Time for critical thinking! Students begin reading to learn, analyzing character motives and author intentions.
Stage 4 (Grades 9-12): Advanced analysis and interpretation become key, which is crucial for SAT, ACT, and academic success.
Fun Tip: Encourage a “book talk” where your child summarizes a story in their own words. If they can describe what happened and why it mattered, they’re likely making great progress!
BetterGradez’s Approach: Every reading session at BetterGradez is tuned to your child’s current stage. For younger students, our coaches use phonics tools and simple books. As they advance, we introduce critical thinking exercises—like asking students to predict what a character might do next or explaining why an author made specific choices. By the time students are analyzing big themes, they’re ready for challenging, multi-layered texts.
3. The Reading Crisis (And Why Libraries Are Lonely)
In The Reading Crisis, Chall noted that today’s kids aren’t diving into books as much as they used to, and guess what? The library misses them! Between digital distractions and a lack of quiet reading spaces, finding a good book can feel as remote as finding Wi-Fi in the woods. Kids need reading materials that engage them, build vocabulary, and broaden their worldviews.
Practical Tip: Set a “reading hour” at home. Treat it like screen time—but for books! You might even set a theme each week: fantasy, mystery, or a nonfiction topic they’re curious about.
BetterGradez’s Approach: BetterGradez coaches provide structured, 1:1 reading sessions that go beyond reading words on a page. We’re here to introduce students to stories they’ll connect with and can learn from, focusing on vocabulary-building exercises that make comprehension less about slogging through big words and more about discovering exciting ideas. Reading with us is never a lonely experience!
4. Evidence-Based Methods: Insights from The Academic Achievement Challenge
In her last major work, The Academic Achievement Challenge, Chall emphasized evidence-based teaching methods that actually help kids learn. She warned against trendy approaches that might look impressive but don’t hold up under scrutiny. According to her, structured, clear methods win every time.
Parent Tip: You can apply Chall’s wisdom by establishing reading routines at home. Try breaking a reading session into three parts: a “before-reading” question, a “during-reading” pause to discuss, and an “after-reading” summary. These steps mirror structured reading coaching methods.
BetterGradez’s Approach: Our 1:1 reading coaching at BetterGradez follows a structured, tried-and-true format. Each session is split into clear segments, starting with a quick warm-up, progressing to reading exercises, and ending with reflections and summaries. We make sure the session feels cohesive, with each step building on the last to foster deep comprehension and enjoyment.
How BetterGradez Makes Reading Fun (and Effective!)
Based on Chall’s research, BetterGradez coaches have developed a unique coaching program that focuses on more than just grades. We’re here to nurture confidence, self-awareness, and skills that extend beyond books to real life.
Holistic Development: We don’t just coach students to read well; we empower them with study skills, time management, and a growth mindset. Each BetterGradez student learns how to think critically and read for meaning.
Personalized, Stage-Based Approach: Our 1:1 reading coaches work with students based on their unique level, just as Chall’s stages suggest. This means no one gets lost in the lesson; every student is encouraged to grow at their own pace, with goals tailored just for them.
Engaging Tools and Fun Activities: With phonics games for younger readers and critical thinking exercises for older students, we transform reading practice into engaging sessions that build confidence. Plus, our coaches track progress with milestone assessments, so students can see their own growth.
Putting it All Together: Reading Success, One Page at a Time
From learning basic sounds to analyzing complex novels, Chall’s research shows that reading is a journey best taken one step at a time. And at BetterGradez, we’re here for each of those steps. Whether you’re aiming to help your child improve their reading comprehension, vocabulary, or critical thinking skills, know that every reading session counts.
So if you’re ready to put these research-based insights to work with the help of our 1:1 reading coaches, let’s get started. With the right blend of structure, support, and yes, a little fun, your child can unlock the power of reading—not just for school, but for life.