Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ™ What the Research Says about Difficult Texts with Kristin Conradi Smith, John Strong, & Steve Amendum
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Jul 4, 2025 In this enlightening discussion, Kristin Conradi Smith, a reading motivation expert, John Strong, an associate professor specializing in informational texts, and Steve Amendum, a literacy complexity guru, tackle the importance of challenging texts in education. They clarify differences between text complexity and difficulty, emphasizing thoughtful scaffolding to help students thrive. The conversation highlights strategies for assessing diverse learners, the role of decodable texts, and the value of read-alouds in early grades, packed with insights to inspire educators.
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Complex Text Challenges Fluency, Comprehension
- Students' fluency and comprehension tend to decrease as text complexity increases, especially for less skilled readers.
- However, these studies often lacked adjusted supports to help students succeed with complex texts.
Complex Texts Motivate Perseverance
- Complex texts can motivate students through supported perseverance.
- Reading challenging tasks increases engagement and knowledge building.
Interest Trumps Text Difficulty
- Students focus on book topics and plots more than difficulty levels.
- Interest can trump text difficulty, fostering motivation even if the text is hard.
