Reading articles & Resources

Middle school can be tough. Tough and scary. Elementary school if often forgiving,  but in middle school you're preparing for high school, as well as dealing with the challenges of where you are. But there are strategies for coping, and even thriving. Today we’re going to talk about reading strategies for middle school students. Expectations Coming In As controversial and sometimes woefully incomplete as Common Core Standards may sometimes be (don’t get me started, that’s a whole di

Reading comprehension strategies are great for analyzing and dissecting difficult passages, gaining a deeper understanding of the written word, and speeding up your reading skills. Whether you want to improve your own reading skills and speed, or you're helping your child with their reading comprehension abilities, you're in the right place.  Here, you'll find the ten best reading comprehension strategies to up your skills. Each technique has its own advantages and disadvantages, but to prop

Need some reading ideas? Before you head to the library, check out some of the best children's books in this guest post by New Milford, NJ tutor Matthew H...   Children’s books are a great way to establish good habits that kids will take with them throughout their lives. Reading not only helps develop strong vocabulary, but also makes it easier to learn new information and retain already existing material. Finding the right book for your child may seem like a difficult process because

Always have your nose in a book? Here, New York, NY tutor Lauren P. has rounded up a list of some familiar feelings most book lovers will relate to:  1. The only time you truly feel regret is when you find yourself waiting in line or on public transportation without a book. A unique type of anxiety overwhelms you in those situations. The grocery store, airport security, train, or even being on hold on the phone are unbearable without a book to fill the time. The same feeling occurs when

Is your child struggling with his or her reading skills? Here are some helpful tips from Brick, NJ tutor Elizabeth C. to incorporate music with reading...   Does your child know all the lyrics and melodies to their favorite songs yet can’t read a simple sentence? Is your child the one dancing in front of the television or computer copying the latest dance moves from a pop video yet can’t read a grade level book? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you have a “str

Want to learn how to read faster? Tempted by all the promises of speed reading programs and classes? Find out if there's truth behind the strategies in this guest post by Ann Arbor, MI teacher Elaina R...   Imagine a library full of frantic-looking students, their eyes darting back and forth as they flip through textbooks. These students are attempting the controversial art of speed reading. Unfortunately, many of these students will probably find that they remember very little of th

How important is reading aloud to children? Here, Chicago tutor Galen B. reviews the benefits and some helpful tips...  Whether your child is not yet talking or is working on chapter books, reading aloud with her is a valuable exercise. According to the U.S. Department of Education, “reading aloud to children is the single most important activity for building knowledge and eventual success.”1 It introduces vocabulary and word-sound association, which builds the foundation for liter

Summer is the perfect time to get lost in a good book. Why not choose a book that will help  you see the world in a new way and revitalize your creative spirit? Whether you're packing a book in your beach bag or toting an e-reader in your carry-on, these 5 good summer books are guaranteed to pack inspiration and creativity into the dog days of summer! 1. On Looking: Eleven Walks with Expert Eyes Sometimes the best way to awaken your creative side is by looking at familiar things in a diff

Struggling with reading assignments? This reading comprehension practice exercise may seem a bit strange, but it works! Read on as Tucson, AZ and online tutor Lourdes C. explains the "breaking bad reading" method...   The most fundamental challenge most students face is not in the content, it's in bad reading habits. The layout of most text in the Western world is linear, following a progressive line of reasoning and logical thought from beginning to end without diversion (which is

Reading assignments can be fun - we promise! Here, Hollywood, FL tutor Deanna P. shares her best reading comprehension strategies for students to keep in mind... Do you like to play detective and solve mysteries? Well, here are the top reading comprehension strategies to use before, during, and after reading to crack the case and think outside the box. READ THE TITLE and highlight it; it is the key that unlocks the main idea and what the story is mainly about. Read the questions, not