PLUG IN Reading Comprehension Intervention

PLUG IN is a short-term reading comprehension intervention for fifth-grade students with comprehension difficulties. The intervention uses informational science texts focused on ocean life and teaches a multi-component strategy for before, during, and after reading. PLUG IN stands for: Previewing, Linking to what you know, Using fix-up strategies, Generating questions, In your own words (main idea and summarizing), and Now answer the questions. The intervention is delivered in small groups of 2-4 students over 40 sessions (30 minutes each, 4 times per week for 10-12 weeks, totaling 20 hours). Instruction follows a 4-day cycle: Day 1 focuses on explicit instruction and modeling; Day 2 emphasizes review and scaffolded practice; Day 3 provides independent practice with trade books; Day 4 uses collaborative reading with biographical texts where students rotate as coach to guide peers. Tutors are graduate research assistants who are certified teachers with extensive experience and receive approximately 20 hours of training.