Believe it or not, I wasn’t always the teacher telling everyone that picture books are my jam. At age nine, I was the student sitting in the back of the room, carrying the weight of a dyslexia diagnosis and wondering if stories would ever truly belong to me. That journey is exactly why I’m so passionate about helping struggling readers in upper elementary find their own Confetti Moments.
If you teach upper elementary, you’ve seen it:
- students avoiding reading
- shutting down during independent work
- lacking confidence with grade-level texts
And the truth is… traditional literacy instruction doesn’t always meet them where they are. Our big kids deserve to feel successful — and with a few intentional shifts, we can make that happen.
1. Use Graphic Organizers to Bridge the Gap
Graphic organizers are one of the most powerful tools for struggling readers.
They:
- reduce overwhelm
- provide structure
- allow students to focus on thinking (not formatting)
Using consistent visual frameworks helps students feel safe and confident when approaching new texts.
👉 I break down exactly how I use them here, plus my go-to bundle I use all year.
2. Build Vocabulary Through Text Sets
Vocabulary is the gatekeeper to comprehension.
One of my favorite ways to build it? Text sets.
By grouping:
- picture books
- short articles
- themed texts
Students get repeated exposure to Tier 2 vocabulary in different contexts.
✨ That’s when the magic of recognition happens.
Example:
Students read about cereal (something familiar!) → then apply context clues in an informational text.
👉 Want ready-made resources? Check out my Comprehension Vault.
3. Lean Into Small Group Intervention
This is where the transformation happens.
Small groups allow you to:
- target specific skills
- adjust in real time
- build relationships
Whether you’re working on:
- decoding
- inference
- comprehension
You’re meeting students exactly where they are.
👉 I even have a FREE inference resource to help you scaffold:
- visual evidence
- descriptive clues
- character motivation
- text-based support
HOW TO USE IT (CLASSROOM APPLICATION)
Here’s how this might look in your classroom:
- Whole group → introduce strategy
- Small group → targeted skill practice
- Centers → reinforce with graphic organizers + text sets
- Independent → fluency + response work
To stay organized:
- use color-coded groups
- project rotations
- keep routines predictable
👉 Want my exact system? I break it down in this blog + resource.
4. Prioritize Fluency in Upper Elementary
Fluency = confidence + comprehension.
Two of my go-to strategies:
- Reader’s Theater (high engagement, low pressure)
- Rereading familiar texts (YES — even picture books!)
Repetition builds:
- speed
- expression
- confidence
5. Make Students Respond to Reading
Reading isn’t complete without writing.
When students respond, they:
- synthesize ideas
- think deeper
- build comprehension
I use RACE to scaffold responses:
- Restate
- Answer
- Cite
- Explain
👉 I also share my full process + resource here.
Want to try this in your classroom right away?
👉 Grab my FREE inference resource and start building confidence step-by-step in small groups.
Advocate for Them
Finally, please advocate for your students. YOU can be the one that shows them they are capable. YOU are the one that may know who to ask for more help. YOU are the one who can help make a difference in their little lives and set their path towards a happier reading life.
How are you supporting your readers this week?
Remember — every small step leads to a big breakthrough.
✨ And sometimes, that breakthrough becomes a Confetti Moment.
