Strategies for When You Have a Lack of Reading Intervention Services
You’re ready to start planning reading intervention groups - but you’re handed a scripted program and expected to follow it to the letter. Deep down, you know your students need more. They need effective reading intervention strategies that go beyond the script - strategies that include hands-on activities to help them actually engage with what they’re learning. But instead, you feel stuck because everything is tied to the intervention program all in the name of fidelity.
I’ve SO been there.
I know what it’s like when students check out because their interventions lack movement, interaction, or meaningful practice. Or when they're stuck zoning out in front of a computer screen. That’s why finding flexible, engaging reading intervention strategies is key to making real progress.
What to do When Your Reading Intervention Program Isn’t Enough
1.Build a Literacy Engagement Toolkit
One of the most effective reading intervention strategies for engaging students is to use hands-on activities. (Yes, this strategy works for reading intervention groups, too!) Interactive tools work especially well during small-group instruction and intervention time because they help students not only stay focused but also help students engage with what they are learning.
When it comes to reading interventions, this engagement strategy works best when everything you include in my toolkit is well thought out and purposeful. This ensures that it stays a learning tool and not a toy. (IYKYK). Here are a couple of my favorite things I include in my Toolkit:
Witch fingers
Bingo Chips
Mirror
Sticky notes
** For more on how to build your own toolkit - check out my free workshop!
2.Incorporate the 5 Pillars of Reading
Effective reading intervention strategies are rooted in the 5 Pillars of Reading:
Phonemic Awareness
Phonics
Fluency
Vocabulary
Comprehension
To be truly effective, reading intervention strategies should intentionally weave these components into every small group lesson. Unfortunately, most scripted programs don’t provide explicit, balanced practice in all five areas. That’s why having a simple, consistent planning system is essential.
To make this easier for you, I created a Small Group Lesson Plan Template that helps you ensure each of the 5 Pillars is addressed - without the overwhelm.
3.Include Authentic Reading
Don't skip authentic reading in your reading intervention strategies. Many intervention programs rely heavily on teacher-directed lessons, leaving little room for authentic, student-centered learning. While these programs often emphasize skill instruction, they sometimes lack sufficient practice opportunities for those skills to transfer effectively. A strong reading intervention strategy should include time for students to engage with real texts. If your program includes leveled readers, use them for meaningful practice. If not, consider incorporating decodable readers or other authentic texts to support skill development and encourage independent reading.
4.Be Flexible with Timing
Effective reading intervention strategies require flexibility. While many scripted programs provide a detailed timing guide for each task, these are designed to ensure all lesson components are covered—not to restrict your teaching. It’s important to remember that every student learns differently, so sticking rigidly to a schedule may not always serve your group well.
When planning your reading intervention groups, don’t hesitate to adjust the suggested time frames. If a program spends too long on a skill your students have already mastered, shift your focus to something more relevant. On the other hand, if your students need more time to grasp a concept, slow things down. One of the most powerful reading intervention strategies is recognizing when to pause, revisit, or move on based on your students' actual needs—not just the script.
Final Thoughts on Reading Intervention Strategies
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to supporting struggling readers. The most effective reading intervention strategies are flexible, student-centered, and grounded in authentic reading experiences. While scripted programs can provide structure, it’s up to you—the teacher—to make real-time decisions based on what your students need. Whether that means adjusting the timing, slowing down instruction, or incorporating more meaningful texts, your ability to adapt is key to student growth.
Stay responsive.
Trust your instincts.
And remember that small shifts in your strategy can make a big impact.
