You're teaching reading or language arts? Have you read
Mosaic of Thought? It's an excellent read and will help you -
I highly recommend it.

I do this - I start with an easy read. That wouldn't be O.
Henry. If you have weak readers or those whose comprehension
skills are not strong, stick to contemporary books while
they're comprehension skills build.

Get some short stories on tape - NPR has a series but I don't
know if they're for sale. www.listeninglibrary or some book
stores. Try Ray Bradbury's collection of short stories on
tape and everybody can listen to a story. Listening is a
skill they all can benefit from. Discuss the stories as you
listen to them.

In short, there are a few things that can be done that will
work for both lower and higher, stronger and weaker.
>
> I am at a loss for how to differentiate their work. I am
> looking for some tips on how to help them with reading
> skills.

Everybody should be reading 15-20 minutes every day (at home
at night?) in an individually chosen/assigned book. The
weaker readers need to be reading 2 years BELOW their
instructional level to build fluency. The book should be easy
for them to read.
>
> >
> Does anyone have any tips on how to focus on the
> comprehension skills with this group? I have no specialist
> for this class so I am becoming VERY FRUSTRATED, VERY
> QUICKLY!!
>
You can break them into groups but I usually choose an easier
read book for the first book of the year but one with a
profound message. The Giver. The Breadwinner.

You can set the weaker readers to reading silently and have a
literature club of the stronger readers and discuss a
different book with them that they've been assigned
separately.
Good luck.
> Thank you

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