#  Improving reading comprehension, science domain knowledge, and reading engagement through a first grade content literacy intervention 

 



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 **Date:** 11/09/2025 

 

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This evidence brief from CEPR's READS Lab details a randomized study testing the impact of a short, 10-day **Model of Reading Engagement (MORE)** science unit focused on “Arctic animal adaptation.” MORE integrates reading, writing, and discussion to build background knowledge and vocabulary through content-rich texts. Compared to balanced literacy instruction, students who received MORE lessons showed significantly greater gains on a standardized reading comprehension test—equivalent to roughly one month of additional learning—with no negative effects on motivation or basic reading skills. These findings suggest that even brief, structured content literacy lessons can make literacy instruction more rigorous and effective without overwhelming students or teachers.

*Read more about the READS Lab at* [*readslab.org/research.*](https://readslab.org/research)



 

 

 See also:- [ Research and Reports ](/resource-type/research-report)
- [ Data Analyst ](/audience/data-analyst)
- [ Researcher ](/audience/researcher)
- [ School/District Leader ](/audience/schooldistrict-leader)
- [ Curriculum ](/focus-areas/curriculum)
- [ Reading Instruction ](/focus-areas/reading-instruction)
- [ School Improvement & Redesign ](/focus-areas/school-improvement-and-redesign)
- [ MORE (Model of Reading Engagement)/READS Lab ](/projects/more-model-reading-engagement)
- [ 2021 ](/year/2021)
- [ K12 ](/sector/k12)