How can I help? Reading Remediation

by Tammy Baker

Mar 21, 2012

I teach on a Title I campus which is on year 8 of school improvement. I have over 50% of my students reading 3 levels below their current stated grade. Of that 50% I have managed to secure commitments form 30$ of the students and parents to participate in an after school intervention program to help them bridge this gap before they move on to high school. (I teach 8th grade) The district is not creating this program and I have no direction from my administration (although they are happy to let me do it) I am just wondering if anyone out there with more experience than I might have some suggestions on how I could best utilize the 4 hours a week I will have with the students for the rest of this year. How can I maximize the efforts so they can see some progress for their work? These students desperately need to experience some academic success!

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Mark Pennington Tammy,

First, pinpoint relative student weaknesses with whole-class diagnostic assessments. Reading levels won't inform your instruction; you need to know what each student needs. Next, use a flexible curriculum that mixes direct instruction, independent reading practice, and small group differentiated instruction.

You are quite t...See More

Mar 21, 2012

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John Pfeifer Mark makes some great points...especially on pinpointing specific weaknesses. I may have some materials that will help you in your efforts. Go to [link removed]

Mar 26, 2012

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Sara On 3/21/12, Tammy Baker wrote:

Many struggling readers can't decode well but with a group and 8th graders at that, it's near impossible to teach phonics to them in a group and at their age.

How many days after school will they meet with you? If everyday or several days, I'd choose a high interest, easy read book to read with them...See MoreOn 3/21/12, Tammy Baker wrote:

Many struggling readers can't decode well but with a group and 8th graders at that, it's near impossible to teach phonics to them in a group and at their age.

How many days after school will they meet with you? If everyday or several days, I'd choose a high interest, easy read book to read with them, chapter by chapter. Teach vocab in context - no tests, no quizzes and emphasize reading for pleasure.

The book you choose is crucial... it needs to be one they enjoy and can feel successful with. Holes? Have they read Holes? It's a popular read even with middle schoolers. Maniac McGee also comes to mind. And/or a biography of someone they could admire - Baird Ruston comes to mind if there exists a middle school level biography of him. Oskar Schindler might have a biography about him at the middle school level or Anne Frank's diary is usually a compelling read.

Some read aloud is good - or following along in the book while they listen to a recording of the book.

Short stories can be a better choice for the next read after the book or if you won't meet them often in the week. Once a week, I'd read aloud to them from a good short story if you are a strong, expressive reader.

They should also read every day at home - in a different book. 15-20 minutes a day of reading builds reading skills.

Self-confidence goes a long way - be generous with praise. Good for you for doing this!

> I teach on a Title I campus which is on year 8 of school > improvement. I have over 50% of my students reading 3 > levels below their current stated grade. Of that 50% I have > managed to secure commitments form 30$ of the students and > parents to participate in an after school intervention > program to help them bridge this gap before they move on to > high school. (I teach 8th grade) The district is not > creating this program and I have no direction from my > administration (although they are happy to let me do it) I > am just wondering if anyone out there with more experience > than I might have some suggestions on how I could best > utilize the 4 hours a week I will have with the students > for the rest of this year. How can I maximize the efforts > so they can see some progress for their work? These > students desperately need to experience some academic > success!

Mar 27, 2012

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Brittney M. Corrigan This goes along with what i am studying in graduate school. From what i have learned, it is very important to collect data and know what the weaknesses of your students. Are you students struggling in reading comprehension mainly? If so there are two skills that effect your students comprehension. Mus commonly in this age group langage comprehensio...See More

Apr 19, 2012

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