When asking struggling learners to read, consider using a technique called backwards reading. First, always keep reading passages short (even if you have to shorten primary sources by only using the most important parts).  One paragraph or a one-pager is always a good place to start.  Have students scan the reading from the bottom of the page to the top or backwards. Ask students to identify words they do not know by underlining or highlighting those words. The teacher or a stronger student will define words that have been identified. Students are to write the definitions in the margins of the page.  Finally, ask the students to read the passage forward starting at the beginning. Students will then have definitions readily available on the page while they read.