DiscoverThe Science of Reading FormulaHow to Build Comprehension Before Students Can Decode
How to Build Comprehension Before Students Can Decode

How to Build Comprehension Before Students Can Decode

Update: 2025-08-11
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Description

Some students can’t read “cat” yet—but can explain the moral of a story better than anyone. So how do we support comprehension before decoding clicks? In this episode, we’re exploring how to nurture deep thinking while building foundational reading skills.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

  • Why decoding and comprehension must grow side-by-side.
  • How to use read alouds and class discussions to build thinking skills.
  • What kinds of questions spark comprehension—even with simple texts.
  • Using podcasts and morphology to boost meaning-making early on.

Show Links

Decodable Texts
Comprehension Questions
Trainings- Morphology / Read Aloud Magic
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How to Build Comprehension Before Students Can Decode

How to Build Comprehension Before Students Can Decode

Malia Hollowell