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Individualized instruction is the core of Special Education. Whether you are teaching in a resource classroom, or working with a small group or one-on-one, ReadWorks provides evidence-based reading interventions needed to meet diverse goals for special education (SPED) reading comprehension. We are thrilled to introduce this FREE SPED RESOURCE DOWNLOAD that organizes all of our resources designed for students with disabilities and ideas to help reach IEP goals all in one helpful guide. How to Use ReadWorks for DifferentiationDifferentiate Content: Don't spend hours manually rewriting passages. Use StepReads to provide more accessible versions of the same text. This allows you to scaffold all students towards grade level reading. Filtering for Student Interests: Use our advanced filters to find passages by Lexile level, grade, or topic. Readability Tools: Support students with visual impairments, dyslexia, and other disabilities using our student-facing features:
Digital Accessibility: Student facing features are built into each passage to support different types of learners.
Question Sets to Check for Understanding: Assess reading comprehension through question sets and the Book of Knowledge, both supported by various features like audio. Use the digital question sets for automated grading! ReadWorks Teacher Dashboard to Track Progress: Monitor students’ reading progress with automated data to bring to your next IEP meeting or quarterly progress report. Save hours on lesson prep. Support every learner.
Get your SPED Resource here!
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At ReadWorks, we believe that every student deserves access to high-quality reading resources that support real learning. That’s why our mission is to provide research-backed materials completely free for teachers so you can focus on what matters most: helping your students grow. February brings an important opportunity to highlight voices, stories, and achievements that have shaped our world in powerful ways. Black History Month gives students the chance to see history through a broader lens and reflect on the contributions of Black individuals in science, the arts, politics, activism, and beyond. As fellow educators, we also know the challenges of finding resources that are both meaningful and aligned with your literacy goals. That’s why we’ve developed a Black History Month reading list with more than 100 articles and stories for grades 5-8. These passages are not only relevant and engaging, but also built to strengthen reading comprehension, spark thoughtful discussions, and support writing and critical thinking in your classroom. Whether you have five minutes for a mini-lesson or are building a full month of activities, these resources are designed to fit your schedule, your goals, and your students’ needs. ➡️ Download your Black History Month planner for Grades 3 & 4 and 5 & 6. How ReadWorks Supports Literacy and Deeper LearningReadWorks is grounded in research about how students can grow in reading comprehension. Each text in this Black History Month reading list is built to support the building of background knowledge and vocabulary, while also encouraging meaningful classroom conversations. Here are a few ways you can support your students’ literacy goals with these resources:
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2. Strengthen Word Recognition with Decodable Readers (Grades K–2)
For early readers, comprehension can’t happen without strong decoding skills. If students struggle to recognize words, they can’t focus on meaning. That’s why ReadWorks, in partnership with UFLI Foundations and Fundations, created Decodable Readers aligned with the Science of Reading.
These short texts are carefully designed to match phonics instruction. Instead of guessing at words, students practice applying phonics knowledge until recognition is automatic.
Why it works:
These short texts are carefully designed to match phonics instruction. Instead of guessing at words, students practice applying phonics knowledge until recognition is automatic.
Why it works:
- Aligned with research: Structured Literacy approaches emphasize explicit phonics instruction and decodable text practice. Together, these build the foundation for fluency and comprehension (→ The Research).
- Stronger comprehension outcomes: Experts emphasize that word recognition and comprehension develop together when students have decodables to bridge the gap (→ Webinar with UFLI).
- Boosts confidence: Decodables allow students to read entire texts independently, which motivates them to keep practicing.
- By concept: Browse our library by phonics skill (short vowels, digraphs, blends) to match your scope and sequence (→ Decodables By Concept).
- Small groups: Use during interventions to reinforce specific phonics patterns.
- Home connection: Share with families for additional practice outside the classroom.
Ready to start?
We’ve got UFLI-aligned and Fundations-aligned decodable readers organized into their own scope and sequence. Check them out below.
UFLI Aligned Decodables →
Fundations Aligned Decodables →
We’ve got UFLI-aligned and Fundations-aligned decodable readers organized into their own scope and sequence. Check them out below.
UFLI Aligned Decodables →
Fundations Aligned Decodables →
3. Deepen Comprehension with Reading Passages
ReadWorks is best known for its classic reading passages and comprehension worksheets, available for grades K–12. With thousands of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry texts – each paired with multiple-choice and open-ended comprehension questions – teachers can easily target key skills.
Why it works:
Why it works:
- Direct practice with comprehension skills: Passages and questions give students repeated practice with text structure, inferring, and citing evidence (→ Reading Passages).
- Exposure to complex text: Students engage with grade-appropriate rigor, but passages are leveled so every reader can succeed (→ Differentiation).
- Encourages comparative reasoning and deeper connections: Paired texts let students read two articles on a common topic or theme, then answer scaffolded questions that guide them to compare, contrast, and synthesize ideas across both texts. This structure helps build comprehension, reinforce vocabulary, and deepen content knowledge (→ Paired Texts).
- Whole group: Model comprehension strategies with a shared passage.
- Independent work: Assign passages and auto-graded questions for quick insights.
Ready to start?
We’ve got 6,000+ completely free passages with reading comprehension worksheets and other activities to support learning. Click your grade level below to get started.
We’ve got 6,000+ completely free passages with reading comprehension worksheets and other activities to support learning. Click your grade level below to get started.
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Why Free Matters
At ReadWorks, we believe every teacher deserves access to high-quality materials, no matter their budget. That’s why our entire library – from Article-A-Day to Decodable Readers to reading comprehension worksheets – is always 100% free.
There are no subscriptions, hidden fees, or premium tiers. Just the resources you need to help your students grow.
Key Takeaways
There are no subscriptions, hidden fees, or premium tiers. Just the resources you need to help your students grow.
Key Takeaways
- Knowledge matters: Article-A-Day builds the background knowledge comprehension depends on.
- Phonics matters: Decodable Readers strengthen word recognition, the gateway to understanding.
- Practice matters: Reading passages and reading comprehension worksheets provide structured, repeatable practice to grow comprehension skills.
Ready to dive in?
Explore our free library today and start using Article-A-Day, Decodable Readers, and Reading Passages with your students. With free reading comprehension worksheets at your fingertips, you’ll have everything you need to support stronger, more confident readers.e to edit.
I’m Maria Thompson and I teach fifth grade ELA at Lincoln Elementary, a small public school in rural Pennsylvania. Our school serves a lot of lower-income families and we don’t always have access to the latest programs or curriculum. Like many teachers, I’m always searching for quality resources that are both effective and free. That’s how I found ReadWorks.
This past year, I had a student named Alex who reminded me why the right tools can make all the difference.
Alex came to us in January after moving from another district. He was quiet and avoided eye contact. During reading time, he barely touched his paper. I learned from his file that he was reading well below grade level and had struggled for years with both decoding and comprehension. He almost never participated in class discussions.
This past year, I had a student named Alex who reminded me why the right tools can make all the difference.
Alex came to us in January after moving from another district. He was quiet and avoided eye contact. During reading time, he barely touched his paper. I learned from his file that he was reading well below grade level and had struggled for years with both decoding and comprehension. He almost never participated in class discussions.
I could tell reading had become something he feared. It broke my heart to see how shut down he was. I knew I needed to try something different to reach him.
I started using ReadWorks regularly with my class. We began with the Article-A-Day routine. The short nonfiction texts were perfect for building stamina and background knowledge without overwhelming struggling readers. For Alex, I chose articles on science and animals because those were the only topics that seemed to spark even a little interest.
I also had him use the audio feature so he could listen as he followed along. This helped take the pressure off and allowed him to focus on understanding the content instead of getting stuck on every word.
After a few weeks, something amazing happened. We were reading an article about honeybees and how they communicate. Out of nowhere, Alex raised his hand and said, “They dance to tell the other bees where to go.” It was the first time he had voluntarily spoken in front of the class. The room went silent for a second, and then another student responded, and just like that, Alex was part of the conversation.
I started using ReadWorks regularly with my class. We began with the Article-A-Day routine. The short nonfiction texts were perfect for building stamina and background knowledge without overwhelming struggling readers. For Alex, I chose articles on science and animals because those were the only topics that seemed to spark even a little interest.
I also had him use the audio feature so he could listen as he followed along. This helped take the pressure off and allowed him to focus on understanding the content instead of getting stuck on every word.
After a few weeks, something amazing happened. We were reading an article about honeybees and how they communicate. Out of nowhere, Alex raised his hand and said, “They dance to tell the other bees where to go.” It was the first time he had voluntarily spoken in front of the class. The room went silent for a second, and then another student responded, and just like that, Alex was part of the conversation.
"After a few weeks, something amazing happened. We were reading an article about honeybees and how they communicate. Out of nowhere, Alex raised his hand and said, “They dance to tell the other bees where to go.”
From that moment on, he started showing up differently. He wrote more in his Book of Knowledge journal. He asked questions. He even started helping one of our multilingual students during group work. I could see his confidence growing every single week.|
"By the end of the year, Alex had made more than a full year’s growth in reading. His comprehension scores improved, but more importantly, he believed in himself again."
By the end of the year, Alex had made more than a full year’s growth in reading. His comprehension scores improved, but more importantly, he believed in himself again. He went from being a silent observer to a student who shared his ideas, asked thoughtful questions, and even helped lead a small group during a Mars Rover reading project. He brought in a model he built at home and proudly explained how it worked.
ReadWorks made that possible. It gave me tools I could actually use, right away, with no extra prep or cost. The audio support, vocabulary tools, and high-interest texts allowed me to reach Alex where he was and move him forward.
Every student deserves access to texts that make them feel smart and seen. Every teacher deserves resources that are easy to use and truly effective. ReadWorks is both.
ReadWorks made that possible. It gave me tools I could actually use, right away, with no extra prep or cost. The audio support, vocabulary tools, and high-interest texts allowed me to reach Alex where he was and move him forward.
Every student deserves access to texts that make them feel smart and seen. Every teacher deserves resources that are easy to use and truly effective. ReadWorks is both.
Written by: Maria Thompson, 5th grade ELA Teacher, Pottstown, PA.
Thank you so much to Maria for submitting this story to our Impact Story Collection Contest—it was selected as a winner! We are truly grateful for the time it took to write and share both these words and the wonderful images from this fun classroom.
This story is such a beautiful example of how ReadWorks can engage students because of the breath and depth of nonfiction topics on the ReadWorks platform. Kudos to Maria for using Article-A-Day and the Book of Knowledge to gain and keep Alex's interest in reading and learning!
As the school years winds up, many parents may be headed into tackling homework, and parent-teacher conferences. Maintaining their child’s reading skills at home takes time and support. This is especially vital for parents of struggling readers.
The good news is that you do not need to be a literacy expert to help. Anyone can help a child improve their reading comprehension and fluency by using just a few of these simple strategies.
The good news is that you do not need to be a literacy expert to help. Anyone can help a child improve their reading comprehension and fluency by using just a few of these simple strategies.
Create a Consistent Reading Habit
Reading is similar to learning other skills. The more a child practices, the better they get. And the best way to make practice consistent is to form a habit. Establishing a daily reading habit—no matter how small—can help struggling readers build fluency and confidence.
Here are some ideas to build a reading habit:
To help build the habit, ReadWorks developed the Article-A-Day™ routine. Each day, children read one short, high-interest nonfiction article and briefly reflect on it. These articles are designed to take just 10 minutes a day, making it quick and easy for parents and their children.
Try It: Start a daily Article-A-Day routine with ReadWorks to build vocabulary and comprehension. ReadWorks is completely free and you can choose to assign the article to them for access on their computer or device, or to print the article.
Here are some ideas to build a reading habit:
- Pick a consistent time of day. Reading after breakfast, before bed, or during a quiet moment can make it easier to remember and stick with.
- Start small and stay consistent. Even five minutes a day matters. What’s important is the routine, not the length.
- Set up a designated reading space. A cozy corner or a special chair helps signal that it’s time to read.
- Use a visual tracker or sticker chart. These simple tools can motivate kids and show how much they’ve accomplished.
- Add small rewards for encouragement. They keep children motivated to continue reading.
- Sit with your child. Assess when to guide or not guide the reading process.
To help build the habit, ReadWorks developed the Article-A-Day™ routine. Each day, children read one short, high-interest nonfiction article and briefly reflect on it. These articles are designed to take just 10 minutes a day, making it quick and easy for parents and their children.
Try It: Start a daily Article-A-Day routine with ReadWorks to build vocabulary and comprehension. ReadWorks is completely free and you can choose to assign the article to them for access on their computer or device, or to print the article.
Use Scaffolding to Support Reading Growth
Scaffolding is an instructional approach where you offer support as your child learns a new skill, then gradually step back as they gain confidence. When it comes to reading, scaffolding helps struggling readers tackle challenging texts without becoming overwhelmed.
At home, scaffolding might look like:
Try It: Use ReadWorks question sets and reading comprehension worksheets to guide comprehension.
At home, scaffolding might look like:
- Preview the text together before reading. Taking a moment to look at titles, headings, or pictures can help set the stage for comprehension.
- Ask guiding questions while reading. Prompts like “What do you think will happen next?” keep your child thinking and engaged.
- Explain unfamiliar words or ideas. Clarifying tricky vocabulary builds confidence and reduces frustration.
- Summarize small sections as you go. Pausing to reflect after a paragraph helps your child retain and understand what they read.
Try It: Use ReadWorks question sets and reading comprehension worksheets to guide comprehension.
Focus on Sight Words to Build Fluency
Many readers benefit from strengthening their recognition of common sight words—words that often can’t be sounded out easily and appear frequently in texts. Mastering these words can make reading smoother and more automatic.
Here’s a short breakdown of common sight words, which are grouped by type:
Try It: Explore ReadWorks' full library of content for younger readers.
Here’s a short breakdown of common sight words, which are grouped by type:
- High-Frequency Words: the, was, said, have
- Pronouns: you, they, she
- Function Words: are, from, by
Try It: Explore ReadWorks' full library of content for younger readers.
Let Children Choose What They Read
Giving students the chance to choose something that truly interests them—whether it's sports, fantasy, or science—can make a big difference in how they approach reading. What matters most is that they’re engaged with texts that feel enjoyable and accessible.
All that leads to one question. What does your child like reading?
Here are a few ideas to figure that out:
Try It: Try ReadWorks Reading Mindset Snapshot. It's a quick survey for students to complete that helps you choose what they might like to read from our library!
All that leads to one question. What does your child like reading?
Here are a few ideas to figure that out:
- Ask about their interests. Topics like animals, space, sports, or mystery stories can spark enthusiasm.
- Reflect on what they watch or play. Movies, shows, and games can point to genres or themes they’d love in books.
- Offer different formats. Graphic novels, short articles, audiobooks, or magazines might appeal more than traditional chapter books.
- Try a few samples. Read the first page or back cover of a few books together and see which one excites them.
Try It: Try ReadWorks Reading Mindset Snapshot. It's a quick survey for students to complete that helps you choose what they might like to read from our library!
Supporting your child's reading at home this summer doesn't have to be complicated. A few simple strategies can make a big difference. Even short, consistent efforts can help struggling readers build confidence and make steady progress.
