Improving the Reading Comprehension Skills of Grade 3 Learners Through Targeted Reading Intervention Activities

Authors

  • Roma B. Bidayan Master of Arts in Education, Northeastern College, Santiago City, Isabela, Philippines Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65339/ijsis.V1.I3.169

Keywords:

Comprehension Skills, Grade 3, Literacy Intervention, Reading Comprehension, Reading Intervention, Targeted Instruction

Abstract

This study examined the improvement in the reading comprehension skills of Grade 3 learners through targeted reading intervention activities within the Schools Division of Aurora. A one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design was employed with 30 Grade 3 learners who required additional support in English reading comprehension. The intervention incorporated guided reading, vocabulary development, comprehension questioning, sequencing activities, explicit teacher modeling, and guided practice. Learners were assessed in five areas: identifying the main idea, identifying supporting details, sequencing information or events, understanding vocabulary in context, and making simple inferences. Results showed that the overall mean score increased from 46.80 (SD = 10.90) in the pretest to 62.30 (SD = 10.20) in the posttest. A paired-samples t test revealed a significant difference between pretest and posttest performance, t(29) = 8.12, p < .001, with a large effect size (d = 1.48). Improvements were observed across all five comprehension skills, indicating substantial progress during the intervention period. The findings highlight the value of structured and targeted reading activities in supporting Grade 3 learners who experience comprehension difficulties. The study contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 4 by supporting quality education and foundational literacy. Its sustainability impact lies in promoting adaptable, classroom-based reading interventions that can strengthen instructional practice and provide continuing literacy support for elementary learners.

References

Denton, C. A., Hall, C., Cho, E., Cannon, G., Scammacca, N., & Wanzek, J. (2022). A meta-analysis of the effects of foundational skills and multicomponent reading interventions on reading comprehension for primary-grade students. Learning and Individual Differences, 93, 102062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2021.102062 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2021.102062

Department of Education. (2025a). Implementing guidelines for the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program in reading for Key Stages 1 to 3 (DepEd Memorandum No. 064, s. 2025). https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/DM_s2025_064r.pdf

Department of Education. (2025b, September 13). DepEd, naglunsad ng ARAL Program para palakasin ang pagbasa at pagkatuto. https://www.deped.gov.ph/2025/09/13/deped-naglunsad-ng-aral-program-para-palakasin-ang-pagbasa-at-pagkatuto/

Department of Education. (2026, January 7). DepEd ARAL Program, promising ang initial result sa learning recovery; plano pa palakasin sa 2026. https://www.deped.gov.ph/2026/01/07/deped-aral-program-promising-ang-initial-result-sa-learning-recovery-plano-pa-palakasin-sa-2026/

Department of Education, Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, & UNICEF. (2021). Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics 2019: National report of the Philippines. UNICEF Philippines. https://www.unicef.org/philippines/reports/sea-plm-metrics-2019-national-report-philippines

Department of Education & UNICEF. (2021). Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics 2019 supplementary report: An analysis of contextual variables. UNICEF Philippines. https://www.unicef.org/philippines/reports/southeast-asia-primary-learning-metrics-2019-supplementary-report

Filderman, M. J., Austin, C. R., Boucher, A. N., O'Donnell, K., & Swanson, E. A. (2022). A meta-analysis of the effects of reading comprehension interventions on the reading comprehension outcomes of struggling readers in third through 12th grades. Exceptional Children, 88(2), 163-184. https://doi.org/10.1177/00144029211050860 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00144029211050860

Gough, P. B., & Tunmer, W. E. (1986). Decoding, reading, and reading disability. Remedial and Special Education, 7(1), 6-10. https://doi.org/10.1177/074193258600700104 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/074193258600700104

Hall, C., Dahl-Leonard, K., Cho, E., Solari, E. J., Capin, P., Conner, C. L., Henry, A. R., Cook, L., Hayes, L., Vargas, I., Richmond, C. L., & Kehoe, K. F. (2023). Forty years of reading intervention research for elementary students with or at risk for dyslexia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Reading Research Quarterly, 58(2), 285-312. https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.477 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.477

Hwang, H., Cabell, S. Q., & Joyner, R. E. (2023). Does cultivating content knowledge during literacy instruction support vocabulary and comprehension in the elementary school years? A systematic review. Reading Psychology, 44(2), 145-174. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02702711.2022.2141397

Jago, L. S., Monaghan, P., Alcock, K., & Cain, K. (2025). The effect of preschool vocabulary and grammar on early reading comprehension and word reading: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Educational Research Review, 47, 100680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2025.100680 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2025.100680

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2023). PISA 2022 results (Volume I and II): Country notes—Philippines. OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/pisa-2022-results-volume-i-and-ii-country-notes_ed6fbcc5-en/philippines_a0882a2d-en.html

Peng, P., Wang, W., Filderman, M. J., Zhang, W., & Lin, L. (2024). The active ingredient in reading comprehension strategy intervention for struggling readers: A Bayesian network meta-analysis. Review of Educational Research, 94(2). https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543231171345 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543231171345

Philippine Statistics Authority. (2025a, April 4). For every 10 Filipinos, 9 have basic literacy, while 7 have functional literacy. https://psa.gov.ph/content/every-10-filipinos-9-have-basic-literacy-while-7-have-functional-literacy

Philippine Statistics Authority. (2025b, May 27). Basic and functional literacy rates were higher among those who reached at least high school level education. https://psa.gov.ph/content/basic-and-functional-literacy-rates-were-higher-among-those-who-reached-least-high-school

Rice, M., & Wijekumar, K. (2024). Inference skills for reading: A meta-analysis of instructional practices. Journal of Educational Psychology, 116(4), 569-589. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000855

Second Congressional Commission on Education. (2025). Fixing the foundations: A matter of national survival. EDCOM II.

Second Congressional Commission on Education. (2026). Turning point: A decade of necessary reforms. EDCOM II.

UNICEF Philippines. (2023). Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics 2019: Policy brief series. United Nations Children's Fund. https://www.unicef.org/philippines/reports/southeast-asia-primary-learning-metrics-2019

United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda

Verhoeven, L., Voeten, M., & Segers, E. (2022). Computer-assisted word reading intervention effects throughout the primary grades: A meta-analysis. Educational Research Review, 37, 100486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2022.100486 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2022.100486

Downloads

Published

2026-10-10

How to Cite

Bidayan, R. B. (2026). Improving the Reading Comprehension Skills of Grade 3 Learners Through Targeted Reading Intervention Activities. International Journal of Sustainable and Integrated Studies, 1(3), 323-329. https://doi.org/10.65339/ijsis.V1.I3.169

Similar Articles

51-60 of 137

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.