Presents cutting-edge, evidence-based interventions for dealing with specific difficulties of reading comprehension in children aged 7-11.* An in-depth introduction to the 'poor comprehender profile', which describes children who despite being fluent readers have difficulty extracting meaning from text.* Sets out a range of practical interventions for improving reading skills in this group - along with comprehensive guidance on assessment and monitoring, and insightful accounts of professionals' experience in delivering the techniques described.* Includes an overview of psychological theories of reading comprehension, evaluating their practical applicability.

List of Figures viiList of Boxes xiForeword by Jean Gross CBE xiiiAcknowledgements xvChapter 1 What is Reading Comprehension? 1Chapter 2 The Poor Comprehender Profile 13Chapter 3 The York Reading for Meaning Project: An Overview 27Chapter 4 Teaching Principles 47Chapter 5 Intervention Materials: Oral Language Programme 59Chapter 6 Intervention Materials: Text Level Programme 99Chapter 7 Intervention Materials: Combined Programme 135Chapter 8 Feedback and Evaluation 141Chapter 9 Theoretical and Practical Implications 157AppendicesAppendix 1. Consent Procedures 165Appendix 2. Training of Teaching Assistants 166Appendix 3. Teaching Assistant Feedback on Training 166Appendix 4. Manual Production 168Appendix 5. Additional Preparation 168Appendix 6. Fortnightly Tutorial Groups 169Appendix 7. Record Sheets 169Appendix 8. Observations and On-site Feedback 170Appendix 9. Newsletters 172Appendix 10. Sharing Data 172Glossary 175References 187