Why it matters
- Many middle and high school students struggle with reading challenging academic texts in science, history, and other subjects.
- Strong reading skills in these areas are key for graduating high school, getting a good job, and understanding the world.
- Students who are learning English or have disabilities often face greater challenges and need extra support at school and at home.
How you can help at home
- Talk about what your child is learning in science, history, or other subjects—ask them to explain a new word or concept.
- Encourage your child to read and write about real-world topics (news, science articles, historical stories).
- Help build vocabulary by exploring word meanings together and noticing how words change across subjects.
- Use simple graphic organizers (like Venn diagrams or timelines) to help them organize ideas.
- If they struggle with reading, ask their teacher about tools and supports that can help—especially for students learning English or with reading difficulties.
What to watch for
- Does your child seem overwhelmed by school reading or say it’s too hard?
- Are they avoiding writing assignments or having trouble explaining what they read?
- Are they struggling more in subjects like science and history than in stories or fiction?
Family takeaway
Every subject has its own “language”—science, history, math, and so on. Helping your child build reading, writing, and thinking skills in these subjects can make a big difference. Stay connected with teachers and ask how you can support your child’s learning at home.
The information provided in this summary is based on findings from A Systematic Review of Disciplinary Literacy Research for Adolescent Readers from 2008-2024.