A Game-Changer: A Multi-Layered Approach to Literacy That Delivers Results

What do you do when three-fourths of your class can’t read at grade level, and you have just three months to catch them up? For me, the answer is clear: layer the strategies that work. Research shows that when we combine high-impact practices like reciprocal teaching, feedback, phonics instruction, and reading comprehension strategies, we can close gaps and move students to proficiency—even under the tightest timelines.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), only 33% of students in the U.S. read proficiently by the 4th grade. This gap demands urgent action. Relying on a single strategy won’t address the full scope of a student’s needs—layering proven strategies is the key to ensuring rapid and lasting literacy success.

Why Layering Strategies Is Critical for Students Who Are Behind

When students are two to three grade levels behind in reading, every moment counts. Time is our greatest constraint, and fragmented approaches simply don’t work. Layering strategies ensures we address foundational skills, deepen comprehension, and provide targeted support—simultaneously.

Layering strategies is not a new concept, but research by experts like John Hattie has shown that combining high-impact practices—like phonics, reciprocal teaching, comprehension strategies, and feedback—creates the strongest pathway to literacy success. This approach is particularly vital for low-performing students who have missed opportunities to develop critical reading skills.

Here’s why layering works:

1. Phonics Instruction Builds the Foundation (Effect Size: 0.70)
2. Reciprocal Teaching Develops Critical Thinking (Effect Size: 0.74)
3. Reading Comprehension Strategies Deepen Understanding (Effect Size: 0.58)
4. Feedback Closes Gaps and Accelerates Growth (Effect Size: 0.70)

Layering in Action: A Real Classroom Transformation

When I took over a 3rd-grade classroom mid-semester, three-fourths of the students were reading below grade level, and we had just three months before the state test. Our goal was ambitious: 95% proficiency.

Here’s how I layered these strategies intentionally:

1. Phonics Instruction: I worked with small groups to target foundational skills, ensuring students could decode words with confidence.
2. Reciprocal Teaching: Every day began with a read-aloud where I modeled predicting, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing using Just Juice—a story that resonated deeply because the main character’s father struggled with reading.
3. Reading Comprehension Strategies: Students practiced summarizing, visualizing, and asking questions in differentiated groups.
4. Targeted Feedback: I used assessments to guide feedback, closing gaps through small-group instruction and one-on-one intervention.

I’ll never forget one student who initially told me, “I’ve never liked reading because I always get stuck on words.” By layering these strategies, that same student went from frustration to standing up and reading aloud with pride—a moment that brought tears to my eyes.

By the end of the three months, the transformation was undeniable. Students who were once disengaged became active, confident readers who tackled complex texts and exceeded expectations on their state assessment.

Layering Strategies: Why It Works

Layering works because it addresses every critical piece of the literacy process:

• Phonics builds the foundation.
• Reciprocal teaching bridges decoding to critical thinking.
• Comprehension strategies deepen understanding and analysis.
• Feedback accelerates growth and closes gaps.

When students are two to three years behind, we cannot afford to rely on isolated strategies or hope that one method alone will work. Layering creates synergy, where each strategy builds on the other, ensuring students catch up quickly and effectively.

Teachers: Layering Is Worth It

I know what you may be thinking: Layering sounds hard. And I won’t pretend it’s easy—it takes planning, intention, and consistency. But here’s the truth: students who are two or three years behind need everything we can give them.

If we want to move them to proficiency, we must layer:

• Phonics for decoding,
• Reciprocal teaching for critical thinking,
• Comprehension strategies for deeper understanding, and
• Feedback for immediate, targeted growth.

The results speak for themselves.

The Impact: Proficiency and Beyond

Layering strategies doesn’t just improve test scores; it transforms students into lifelong readers and critical thinkers. They don’t just decode words—they understand, analyze, and connect with texts in ways that empower them academically and personally.

By layering proven, high-impact strategies, we give students:

• Confidence in their reading abilities.
• Tools to tackle challenging texts.
• A belief that they can succeed—not just in the classroom, but in life.

Final Call to Action

Imagine classrooms where every child becomes a confident, proficient reader—where no one is left behind. This vision isn’t just a dream; it’s possible when we commit to layering the strategies that work.

So, let’s move beyond quick fixes. Let’s be intentional. Let’s be bold. By combining phonics, reciprocal teaching, comprehension strategies, and targeted feedback, we can give every child the opportunity to thrive as a reader and reach their fullest potential.

Because literacy is not just a skill—it’s the gateway to every opportunity.

Reference:

Lavert, G. and Bellancia,J.,(2025); Who Says I Can't? (A four-Yaar Plan to Erase the Reading Gap and Achieve Proficiency by Fourth Grade), Solution Tree Publishing-Preorder Now: Amazon.