Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR)

Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR) is a set of instructional strategies designed to improve reading comprehension of grade 5 students with diverse abilities in linguistically diverse schools. CSR uses scaffolded instruction to guide students in the independent use of four comprehension strategies (Preview, Click and Clunk, Get the Gist, and Wrap up) applied to informational text while working in small cooperative learning groups of 4-6 students with varying reading abilities. Teachers receive an initial two-day training session covering theoretical foundations, CSR comprehension strategies, implementation practices and logistics, and coaching. Following initial training, teachers receive four follow-up coaching sessions (two in fall focusing on whole class comprehension instruction, two in spring focusing on cooperative group behaviors) throughout the school year. CSR is implemented during social studies instruction, with teachers using CSR two or more times per week.