When you think of ReadTheory, you probably think of reading passages, multiple-choice questions, and Lexile growth in your ELA block. But teachers across the country are discovering something big: ReadTheory isn’t just an ELA tool—it’s a cross-curricular superpower.
Here are 5 creative ways teachers are using ReadTheory in math, science, social studies, and beyond to strengthen reading comprehension in every subject.
1. Support Word Problem Comprehension in Math
Reading comprehension is crucial to solving multi-step math problems. It helps students practice the exact skills they need to succeed—like identifying relevant details, making inferences, and understanding multi-sentence scenarios.
💡 Try this: Assign a nonfiction passage related to real-world math (budgeting, distance/time problems, or statistics). Use the quiz to practice pulling information from the text—just like they’d need to do on a word problem.
2. Boost Science Vocabulary and Concept Mastery
Science texts are packed with unfamiliar terms and complex sentence structures. ReadTheory’s nonfiction passages help students navigate that challenge—improving their ability to make sense of lab directions, scientific explanations, and diagrams.
💡 Try this: Use the Instant Worksheet Builder to create a text about ecosystems, energy, or scientific inquiry. Then discuss how the reading strategies transfer directly to your next experiment or textbook reading.
3. Reinforce Historical Thinking in Social Studies
Whether they’re reading about the American Revolution or ancient civilizations, students need to understand cause and effect, compare perspectives, and identify main ideas. That’s exactly what ReadTheory asks them to do.
💡 Try this: Encourage students to use ReadTheory during your social studies block or as a warm-up activity. Many of the nonfiction passages are tied to historical events and civic topics, helping students build background knowledge and comprehension skills as they read.
4. Build Confidence for ELLs and Special Education Students Across Subjects
Students learning English or receiving special education support often struggle with reading across all content areas—not just in ELA. ReadTheory’s adaptive leveling meets them where they are, helping them build skills in a low-pressure, independent way.
💡 Try this: Encourage students to log into ReadTheory daily as part of their science or social studies routine. As they read at their own level, they’ll naturally build the comprehension skills needed to access grade-level content more confidently.
5. Turn Data Into Instructional Gold—No Matter the Subject
ReadTheory’s detailed reports help you spot where students are struggling with key comprehension skills—like vocabulary in context, identifying text evidence, or understanding argument structure. These skills show up in every subject.
💡 Try this: After a round of ReadTheory practice, pull a report and group students for mini-lessons. Focus on the skill (not the subject), and then show how it connects to this week’s math, science, or social studies learning.
Reading is everywhere and ReadTheory is here to help. Whether you’re teaching decimals or democracy, ReadTheory makes it easier to build the comprehension skills your students need to thrive in every subject.
➡️ Ready to give it a try? Head to readtheory.org to sign up for free and have your students start reading across the curriculum today.
