Opinion
Reading & Literacy Opinion

6 Active Reading Strategies to Engage Students (DOWNLOADABLE)

How to scaffold literacy instruction
By Jennifer Throndsen — June 11, 2025 1 min read
Hand lifting a dumbbell made of colorful books against a blue background. Concept of active reading, knowledge, and strength. 3d rendering
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

After nearly two decades instructing both students and teachers, Jennifer Throndsen has identified three key tools to scaffold literacy instruction for developing readers: active reading, background knowledge activation, and peer-assisted learning. Below are six common strategies she recommends drilling down on that first one—active reading. For more information on why and how to use all three approaches, read her May 20, 2025, essay “Want Students to Read on Grade Level? These Strategies Can Help.”

Download the Guide (PDF)

Related Tags:

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Artificial Intelligence Webinar
Managing AI in Schools: Practical Strategies for Districts
How should districts govern AI in schools? Learn practical strategies for policies, safety, transparency, and responsible adoption.
Content provided by Lightspeed Systems
Education Funding Webinar Congress Approved Next Year’s Federal School Funding. What’s Next?
Congress passed the budget, but uncertainty remains. Experts explain what districts should expect from federal education policy next.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Student Absenteeism Webinar
Removing Transportation and Attendance Barriers for Homeless Youth
Join us to see how districts around the country are supporting vulnerable students, including those covered under the McKinney–Vento Act.
Content provided by HopSkipDrive

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Reading & Literacy Spotlight Spotlight on Creating an Authentic Reading Culture
Create a culture of literacy: abundant books, explicit skills, daily reading, and real engagement that turns students into lifelong readers.
Reading & Literacy Opinion Has Our Zeal for the Science of Reading Created a Cycle of Confusion?
I’m an Orton-Gillingham-certified teacher. Here’s why the spread of new programs troubles me.
Stacy Davies
3 min read
Information overload concept
Education Week + Getty
Reading & Literacy Opinion How Graphic Novels Can Bring Joy to Reading Instruction
Here's how teachers are using comic books and nonfiction graphic novels in literacy instruction.
6 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Reports Struggling Readers in Secondary Schools: Results of a National Survey
Based on a 2025 survey, this report examines key questions about educator perspectives on reading challenges and solutions for secondary students.