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OAK HILL
INTERVENTIONS
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This page is intended to give
teachers a resource for obtaining class-wide or individual interventions that
have been found to meet the criteria for “evidence-based” as required in the
determination of a student’s responsiveness to intervention. Interventions are
provided below in a variety of categories to meet your needs. For example, you
might search according to the level of intensiveness. A low intensity
intervention might be one that could be used as part of your universal
instruction to an entire class. A moderate intensity intervention
would be perhaps targeted to a subset or small group of students within your
class. High intensity might be best-suited for one-to-one
administration. Additionally, there are interventions that are searchable by
appropriateness to grade level.
Academic
Interventions
By area and intensity
By grade level and skill area
(Note: These links are to manuals in .PDF format from the Florida Center for Reading Research, but each
one contains many, many strategies and reproducible materials.)
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Grades
Area
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Kindergarten-First
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Second-Third
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Fourth-Fifth
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Phonological
Awareness
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Rhyme
and Alliteration
Sentence
Segmentation, Syllables, Onset & Rime
Phoneme
Matching
Phoneme
Isolating, Phoneme Segmenting
Phoneme
Segmentation, Blending, Manipulating
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Phoneme Matching
and Isolating
Phoneme Blending
and Segmenting
Phoneme
Manipulating
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NA
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Phonics
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Letter
Recognition
Letter-Sound
Correspondence
Onset and
Rime
Encoding
and Decoding
High
Frequency Words
Variant
Correspondences
Syllable
Patterns, Morpheme Structures
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Letter-Sound
Correspondence
High
Frequency Words
Variant
Correspondences
Syllable
Patterns
Morpheme
Structures
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Variant
Correspondences
Syllable
Patterns
Morpheme
Structures
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Fluency
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Comprehensive
Manual
(Includes: Letter
Recognition, Letter-Sound Correspondence, High Frequency Words, and Oral Reading
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Letter-Sound
Correspondence
Words
Phrases and
Chunked Text
Connected
Text
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Word Parts
and Words
Phrases,
Chunked Text, Connected Text
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Comprehension
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Comprehensive
Manual
(Includes Sentence
Structure and Meaning, Monitoring for Meaning, Story Structure, and Main
Idea/Summarizing)
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Narrative Text
Structure
Expository
Text Structure
Text Analysis
Monitoring for
Understanding
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Narrative
Text Structure
Expository
Text Structure
Text Analysis
Monitoring
for Understanding
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Vocabulary
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Comprehensive
Manual
(Includes Word Identification/Words
in Context, Word Categorization/Word Knowledge, Words that Describe/Word
meaning, and Word Structure/Word Analysis)
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Word
Knowledge
Morphemic
Elements
Word Meaning
Word Analysis
Words in
Context
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Word
Knowledge
Morphemic
Elements
Word
Meaning and Analysis
Words in
Context
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Behavioral
Interventions
Links
to Sites with Evidence-Based Interventions
If you aren’t quite finding what you
need in the lists above, then browse some of the sites below. They provide
extensive information about evidence-based interventions as well as tools that
might be helpful in creating materials for interventions.
Independent Practice:
Set Up Reading Centers (Florida Center for Reading Research, 2005)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
When students have mastered a reading skill, they can work
independently at reading centers to practice and become more fluent in that
skill under the watchful eye of the teacher.
The reading center is set up with fun and engaging
activities designed to extend and reinforce literacy content presented by the
teacher. Students work on independent reading-related activities individually
or in pairs or groups. As examples of reading center choices, students may
listen to taped books, read alone or to each other, use magnetic letters to
spell a specified list of words, or create storyboards or comic strips that
incorporate pictures and words. Each reading center activity is tied to
specific student literacy goals. The activities in reading centers may change
often to give children a chance to practice new skills and to keep the content
of these centers fresh and engaging.
References
Florida Center for
Reading Research (2005). Student center activities: Teacher resource guide.
Retrieved August 20, 2006, from
http://www.fcrr.org/Curriculum/pdf/TRG_Final_Part1.pdf
Copyright ©2008 Jim Wright
Activating Prior
Knowledge (Hansen, & Pearson, 1983)
School-Based Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
The instructor demonstrates to students how they can access their
prior knowledge about a topic to improve comprehension of an article or story.
The instructor first explains the benefit of
using prior knowledge. The instructor tells students that recalling their prior
experiences (“their own life”) can help them to understand the content of their
reading--because new facts make sense only when we connect them to what we
already know. Next, the instructor demonstrates the text prediction strategy to
the class by selecting a sample passage (displayed as an overhead) and using a
“think-aloud” approach to illustrate the strategy steps: STEP 1: THINK ABOUT
WHAT AND WHY: The teacher connects the article to be read with the instructor's
own prior knowledge about the topic. The teacher might say, for example, “I am
about to read a short article about [topic]. Before I read the article, though,
I should think about my life experiences and what they might tell me about
[topic]. By thinking about my own life, I will better understand the article.”
STEP 2: SELECT MAIN IDEAS FROM THE ARTICLE TO POSE PRIOR-KNOWLEDGE AND
PREDICTION QUESTIONS. The teacher chooses up to 3 main ideas that appear in the
article or story. For each key idea, the instructor poses one question
requiring that readers tap their own prior knowledge of the idea (e.g., “What
are your own attitudes and experiences about [idea]?”) and another that prompts
them to predict how the article or story might deal with the idea (e.g., "What
do you think the article will say about [idea]?"). STEP 3: HAVE STUDENTS
READ THE ARTICLE INDEPENDENTLY. Once the teacher has primed students' prior
knowledge by having them respond to the series of prior-knowledge and
prediction questions, students read the selection independently.
References
Hansen, J. & Pearson, P.D. (1983). An instructional study:
Improving the inferential comprehension of good and poor fourth-grade readers.
Journal of Educational Psychology, 75, 821-829.
Copyright ©2008 Jim Wright
Advanced Story Map
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Students are taught to use a basic 'Story
Grammar' to map out, identify and analyze significant components of narrative
text (e.g., fiction, biographies, and historical accounts). Reserve at least a
full instructional session to introduce this comprehension strategy. (For
effective-teaching tips, consult the guidelines presented in Introducing
Academic Strategies to Students: A Direct-Instruction Approach).
Materials:
- Overhead transparencies of short stories or other
narrative texts, transparency markers
- Student copies of Advanced
Story Map Worksheet, and practice narrative passages (optional) or
reading/text books
Preparation:
- · Prepare
overheads of sample narrative passages.
Steps in Implementing
This Intervention:
Step 1: Introduce
the concept of a Story Grammar to students and preview main elements. (Refer to
the Advanced Story Map Worksheet as a guide.) Tell students that a Story Grammar
can help them to better understand a story's characters and events.
Step 2: Set aside
at least four successive instructional days to introduce the major components
of the Story Grammar: (A) Identifying important characters and their
personalities and motivation, (B) Identifying main problem and significant plot
developments, (C) Noting characters' attempts to solve problems, and (D)
Identifying a narrative's overarching theme.
Interactive Instruction: Make the instruction of each story component highly
interactive, with clear teacher demonstration and use of examples. 'Think
aloud' as you read through a story with the class to illustrate to students how
you arrive at your conclusions. Elicit student discussion about the story. As
you fill out sections of the Advanced
Story Map Worksheet on the
overhead, have students write responses on their own copies of the worksheet.
Step 3: Error
Correction: When students commit errors, direct them to the appropriate section
of the narrative to reread it for the correct answer. Use guiding questions and
modeling as necessary to help students to come up with an appropriate response.
Step 4: After
students have been introduced to the key Story Grammar elements, the group is
now ready to use the Grammar to analyze a sample narrative passage. Have
students read independently through a story. Pause at pre-determined points to
ask the group key questions (e.g., "Who is the main character? What is she
like?"). After discussion, encourage students to write their answers on
the Advanced Story Map
Worksheet while you fill out
the same worksheet as an overhead. Give specific praise to students for
appropriately identifying Story Grammar elements.
Step 5: When
students are able to use the Story Grammar independently, have them read
through selected stories and complete the Advanced
Story Map Worksheet on their
own. Check students' responses and conference individually with those students
requiring additional guidance and support.
Troubleshooting:
Students do not seem motivated to use the Story Grammar framework. To make a Story Grammar
analysis more inviting, consider screening a video of a popular movie or
television program. At key points, stop the tape, have students complete
relevant sections of the Advanced Story Map Worksheet, and discuss the results.
This exercise can be highly motivating and also makes clear to students that a
Story Grammar is a universal tool that helps us understand narratives presented
in any medium.
Some students do not appear to be successful in using the Story Grammar
independently. Pull
aside individuals or small groups of students who might be having similar
problems mastering the Story Grammar. As you read together through a story,
have students "think aloud" the strategies that they follow to
identify Story Grammar elements. If you discover that a student is using a
faulty approach (e.g., rotely selecting the first character named in the story
as the main character) you can gently correct the student by modeling and
demonstrating more appropriate strategies.
References
Gardill, M.C. &
Jitendra, A.K. (1999). Advanced story map instruction: Effects on the reading
comprehension of students with learning disabilities. The Journal of Special Education,
28, 2-17.
Anticipation Reading
Guide (Duffelmeyer, 1994; Merkley, 1996)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
To activate their prior knowledge of a topic, students complete a
brief questionnaire on which they must express agreement or disagreement with
'opinion' questions tied to the selection to be read; students then engage in a
class discussion of their responses.
The instructor first constructs the questionnaire. Each item on
the questionnaire is linked to the content of the article or story that the
students will read. All questionnaire items use a 'forced-choice' format in
which the student must simply agree or disagree with the item. After students
have completed the questionnaire, the teacher reviews responses with the class,
allowing students an opportunity to explain their rationale for their answers.
Then students read the article or story.
References
Duffelmeyer, F.A. (1994). Effective anticipation guide statements
for learning from expository prose. Journal of Reading, 37, 452 - 457.
Merkley, D.J. (1996). Modified anticipation guide. Reading
Teacher, 50, 365-368.
Copyright ©2008 Jim Wright
Building Comprehension of Textbook Readings Through SQ3R (Robinson, 1946)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Students grasp a greater amount of content from their textbook
readings when they use the highly structured SQ3R ('Survey, Question, Read,
Recite, Review') process.
(1) SURVEY: Prior to reading a section of the
textbook, the reader surveys the selection by examining charts, tables, or
pictures, looking over chapter headings and subheadings, and reading any
individual words or blocks of text highlighted by the publisher. (2) QUESTION:
In preparation for reading, the reader next generates and writes down a series
of key 'questions' about the content based on the material that he or she has
surveyed. (3) READ: As the reader reads through the selection, he or she seeks
answers to the questions posed. (4) RECITE: After finishing the selection, the
reader attempts to recite from memory the answers to the questions posed. If
stuck on a question, the reader scans the text to find the answer. (5) REVIEW:
At the end of a study session, the reader reviews the list of key questions and
again recites the answers. If the reader is unable to recall an answer, he or
she goes back to the text to find it.
References
Robinson, F. P. (1946). Effective study. New York: Harper & Row
Copyright ©2008 Jim Wright
Conversing With the
Writer Through Text Annotation (Harris, 1990; Sarkisian, Toscano, Tomkins-Tinch, & Casey,
2003)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Students are likely to increase their retention of information
when they interact actively with their reading by jotting comments in the
margin of the text.
Students are taught to engage in an ongoing
'conversation' with the writer by recording a running series of brief comments
in the margins of the text. Students may write annotations to record their
opinions of points raised by the writer, questions triggered by the reading, or
vocabulary words that the reader does not know and must look up. NOTE: Because
this strategy requires that students write in the margins of a book or
periodical, text annotation is suitable for courses in which students have
either purchased the textbook or have photocopies of the reading available on
which to write.
References
Harris, Jane (1990). Text annotation and underlining as
metacognitive strategies to improve comprehension and retention of expository
text. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Reading Conference
(Miami).
Sarkisian V., Toscano, M., Tomkins-Tinch, K., & Casey, K.
(2003). Reading strategies and critical thinking. Retrieved October 15, 2006,
from http://www.academic.marist.edu/alcuin/ssk/stratthink.html
Copyright ©2008 Jim Wright
Mining Information from
the Text Book (Garner, Hare, Alexander, Haynes, & Vinograd, 1984)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
With ‘text lookback’ the student increases recall of information
by skimming previously read material in the text in a structured manner to look
that information up.
First, define for the student the difference
between ‘lookback’ and ‘think’ questions. ‘Lookback’ questions are those that
tell us that the answer can be found right in the article, while ‘think’
questions are those that ask you to give your own opinion, belief, or ideas.
When faced with a lookback question, readers may need to look back in the
article to find the information that they need. But readers can save time by
first skimming the article to get to the general section where the answer to
the question is probably located. To skim efficiently, the student should (1)
read the text-lookback question carefully and highlight the section that tells
the reader what to look for (e.g., “What does the article say are the FIVE MOST
ENDANGERED SPECIES of whales today?”), (2) look for titles, headings, or
illustrations in the article that might tell the reader where the information
that he or she is looking for is probably located, (3) read the beginning and
end sentences in individual paragraphs to see if that paragraph might contain
the desired information.
References
Garner, R., Hare, V.C., Alexander, P., Haynes, J., & Vinograd,
P. (1984). Inducing use of a text lookback strategy among unsuccessful readers.
American Educational Research Journal, 21, 789-798.
Copyright ©2008 Jim Wright
Previewing the Chapter (Gleason,
Archer, & Colvin, 2002)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
The student who systematically previews the contents of a chapter before
reading it increases comprehension--by creating a mental map of its contents,
activating prior knowledge about the topic, and actively forming predictions
about what he or she is about to read.
In the previewing technique, the student browses the chapter
headings and subheadings. The reader also studies any important graphics and
looks over review questions at the conclusion of the chapter. Only then does
the student begin reading the selection.
References
Gleason, M. M., Archer, A. L., & Colvin, G. (2002).
Interventions for improving study skills. In M. A. Shinn, H. M. Walker & G.
Stoner (Eds.), Interventions for academic and behavior problems II: Preventive
and remedial approaches (pp.651-680). Bethesda,
MD: National Association of
School Psychologists.
Copyright ©2008 Jim Wright
Question-Answer Relationships (QAR) (Raphael, 1982; Raphael, 1986)
School-Based Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Students are taught to identify 'question-answer relationships',
matching the appropriate strategy to comprehension questions based on whether a
question is based on fact, requires inferential thinking, or draws upon the
reader's own experience.
Students learn that answers to RIGHT THERE
questions are fact-based and can be found in a single sentence, often
accompanied by 'clue' words that also appear in the question. Students are
informed that they will also find answers to THINK AND SEARCH questions in the
text--but must piece those answers together by scanning the text and making
connections between different pieces of factual information. AUTHOR AND YOU
questions require that students take information or opinions that appear in the
text and combine them with the reader's own experiences or opinions to
formulate an answer. ON MY OWN questions are based on the students' own
experiences and do not require knowledge of the text to answer. Students are
taught to identify question-answer relationships in class discussion and
demonstration. They are then given specific questions and directed to identify
the question type and to use the appropriate strategy to answer.
References
Raphael, T. (1982). Question-answering strategies for children.
The Reading Teacher,
36, 186-190.
Raphael, T. (1986). Teaching question answer relationships,
revisited. The Reading
Teacher, 39, 516-522.
Copyright ©2008 Jim Wright
Reading Actively (Gleason,
Archer, & Colvin, 2002)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
By reading, recalling, and reviewing the contents of every
paragraph, the student improves comprehension of the longer passage.
The instructor teaches students to first read through
the paragraph, paying particular attention to the topic and important details
and facts. The instructor then directs students to cover the paragraph and
state (or silently recall) the key details of the passage from memory. Finally,
the instructor prompts students to uncover the passage and read it again to see
how much of the information in the paragraph the student had been able to
accurately recall. This process is repeated with all paragraphs in the passage.
References
Gleason, M. M., Archer, A. L., & Colvin, G. (2002).
Interventions for improving study skills. In M. A. Shinn, H. M. Walker & G.
Stoner (Eds.), Interventions for academic and behavior problems II: Preventive
and remedial approaches (pp.651-680). Bethesda,
MD: National Association of School
Psychologists.
Copyright ©2008 Jim Wright
"Click or
Clunk?": A Student Comprehension Self-Check
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Students periodically check their understanding of sentences, paragraphs,
and pages of text as they read. When students encounter problems with vocabulary or comprehension, they
use a checklist to apply simple strategies to solve those reading difficulties.
Reserve at least a full instructional session to introduce this comprehension
strategy. (For effective-teaching tips, consult the guidelines presented in Introducing
Academic Strategies to Students: A Direct-Instruction Approach).
Materials:
- Overhead transparencies of practice reading passages
and My Reading Check
Sheet, transparency markers
- Student copies of practice reading passages (optional)
or reading/text books, My
Reading Check Sheet
Preparation:
- Prepare overheads of sample passages.
Steps in Implementing
This Intervention:
Step 1: Tell
students that they will be learning ways to read more carefully. Hand out
student copies of My Reading Check Sheet.
Review all of the reading strategies on the student handout.
Instruct students that, during any reading assignment, when they come to:
- the end of each sentence, they
should ask the question, "Did I understand this sentence?" If
students understand the sentence, they say "Click!" and
continue reading. If they do not understand, they say "Clunk!"
and refer to the strategy sheet My
Reading Check Sheet to
correct the problem.
- the end of each paragraph, they
should ask the question, "What did the paragraph say?" If they
do not know the main idea(s) of the paragraph, students refer to the
strategy sheet My
Reading Check Sheet to
correct the problem.
- the end of each page, they should
ask the question, "What do I remember?" If they do not remember
sufficient information, students refer to the strategy sheet My Reading Check Sheet to correct the problem.
Read through a sample passage with the class. At the end of each sentence,
paragraph, and page, "think aloud" as you model use of the
comprehension checks. (As you read each sentence, be sure to call out
"Click!" when you and the class understand a sentence and
"Clunk!" when you do not.)
Step 2: When
students have learned to use the "Click or Clunk?" strategy, have
them use it in independent reading assignments.
References
Anderson, T. (1980). Study
strategies and adjunct aids. In R. J. Spiro, B. C. Bruce, & W. F. Brewer
(Eds.) Theoretical Issues in Reading
Comprehension, Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Babbs, P. J. (1984). Monitoring cards help improve comprehension. The Reading Teacher, 38(2), 200-204.
Text Lookback
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Text lookback is a simple strategy that students can use to boost their
recall of expository prose by looking back in the text for important
information.
Reserve several instructional sessions to introduce the steps in this
comprehension strategy. (For effective-teaching tips, consult the guidelines
presented in Introducing Academic Strategies to Students: A
Direct-Instruction Approach).
Materials:
- Overhead transparencies of short (100-200 word) passages from
expository text and teacher-prepared text and lookback/think questions,
transparency markers
- Student copies of expository text passages and text-lookback /think
questions
Preparation:
- Create at least 3 lookback questions and one think
question for each expository text passage selected
Steps in Implementing
This Intervention:
Step 1: Introduce the text-lookback strategy by telling students that
people cannot always remember everything that they read. If we read an article
or book chapter, though, and are asked a 'fact' question about it that we
cannot answer, we can always look back in the article to find the information that
we need.
Step 2: Describe for the class
the difference between lookback and think questions. An example of an
explanation that you might use is:
"When we are asked questions about an article, sometimes the answer can
be found directly in the article and sometimes it cannot be found
directly."
"Lookback questions are those that tell us that the answer can be
found right in the article. For example, if a question uses phrases such as in
the article or in the author's words, these phrases would be clues that the
question is a lookup question and that we can find the answer in the
article."
"Think questions are those that ask you to give your own opinion,
beliefs, or ideas. Our answers to these questions are based on our own ideas or
thoughts about the topic. For example, if a question uses phrases such as in
your opinion or what do you think, these phrases would be clues that the
question is a think question and that the answer cannot be found in the
article."
Step 3: Read aloud through the sample expository passage. Then read the
series of 4 text-lookback/think questions to the class. As you read each
question, highlight for students the word clues that indicate whether the
question is a think or text-lookback question.
Step 4: Tell students that they must reread carefully to find the answer
to a text-lookback question. However, they can save time by first skimming the
article to get to the general section where the answer to the question is
probably located. To skim, the student should:
- read the text-lookback question carefully and
underline the section that tells the reader what to look for (e.g.,
"What does the article say are the five
most endangered species of whales today?").
- look for titles, headings, or illustrations in
the article that might tell the reader where the information that he or
she is looking for is probably located
- look at the beginning and end sentences in
individual paragraphs to see if that paragraph might contain the desired
information.
Step 5: "Thinking aloud", demonstrate for students how to skim
the example article to locate efficiently the answer to each text-lookback
question.
Step 6: Present additional example articles with text-lookback questions
and monitor student mastery of the technique. Assign students to use the
strategy independently when, under your supervision, they can distinguish
reliably between think and text-lookback questions and are able to find the
answers to text-lookback questions in the text.
Reference
Garner, R., Hare, V.C.,
Alexander, P., Haynes, J., & Vinograd, P. (1984). Inducing use of a text
lookback strategy among unsuccessful readers. American Educational Research
Journal, 21, 789-798.
Keywords: A Memorization
Strategy
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
In this mnemonic (memorization) technique, students select the central idea
of a passage and summarize it as a 'keyword'. Next, they recode the keyword as a mental picture and use
additional mental imagery to relate other important facts to the keyword. They
can then recall the keyword when needed, retrieving the related information.
Reserve at least a full instructional session to introduce this comprehension
strategy. (For effective-teaching tips, consult the guidelines presented in Introducing
Academic Strategies to Students: A Direct-Instruction Approach).
Materials:
- Overhead transparencies of sample
passages taken from expository texts, transparency markers
- Student copies of Memorizing
Facts: The Keyword Strategy and practice expository passages
(optional) or text books
Preparation:
- Prepare overheads of sample
expository passages.
- Review the procedures in the
worksheet Memorizing
Facts: The Keyword Strategy
Steps in Implementing
This Intervention:
Step 1: Tell
students that a good way to remember lots of facts is to use keywords. With the
keyword approach, students:
- highlight important facts or ideas
in a passage
- write a "gist" sentence
that summarizes the highlighted ideas or facts
- select a 'keyword' that will help
them to recall a central idea about the article or passage.
- create a mental picture to remember
the keyword, and then
- add details to the mental picture
or create a story around the keyword to memorize additional facts or
ideas.
If you have younger students (e.g., 5th grade or below),
read through several sample passages with the group. Then display a drawing or
collage that represents your own representation of the passage's main ideas as
mental imagery. Using a "think-aloud" approach, explain the mental
imagery of the picture and show how it encapsulates the main facts of the
original passage. Show students how they can more easily recall facts using
this approach.
If you have older students (e.g., 6th grade or above),
read through several sample passages with the group. Write a description of the
mental imagery that you used to memorize the keyword and related facts. Using a
"think-aloud" approach, explain the mental imagery of your keyword
and related story and show how the imagery encapsulates the main facts of the
original passage. Show students how they can more easily recall facts using
this approach.
Step 2: Pair
students off and give them a sample passage. Assign each pair of students to:
- identify the main idea of the
passage
- write a "gist" sentence
to summarize the passage's main idea and related important facts
- select a keyword based on the main
idea
- write out a description (or draw a
picture) of the mental imagery that they will use to recall the main idea
and important facts of the passage.
Step 3: When
students are able to use the keyword strategy independently, have them use the
technique when reading through expository passages. Monitor students' use of
the method and their accuracy in recalling key facts. Conference individually
with those students needing additional guidance and support.
References
Levin, J.R., Levin, M.E.,
Glasman, L.D., & Nordwall, M.B. (1992). Mnemonic vocabulary instruction:
Additional effectiveness evidence. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 17,
156-174.
Levin, J.R., Shriberg, L.K., & Berry, J.K. (1983). A concrete strategy for
remembering abstract prose. American Educational Research Journal, 20, 277-290.
Peters, E.E. & Levin, J.R. (1986). Effects of a mnemonic imagery on good
and poor readers' prose recall. Reading Research Quarterly, 21, 179-192.
Main-Idea Maps
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
This simple strategy teaches students to generate a graphic organizer
containing the main ideas of an expository passage.
Reserve at least a full instructional session to introduce this
comprehension strategy. (For effective-teaching tips, consult the guidelines
presented in Introducing
Academic Strategies to Students: A Direct-Instruction Approach).
Materials:
- Overhead transparencies of practice expository
passages, transparency markers
- Student copies of practice
expository passages (optional) or reading/text books, Main Idea
Graphic Organizer sheet or blank paper
Preparation:
- Prepare overheads of sample
passages.
Steps in Implementing
This Intervention:
Step 1: Introduce
the strategy by telling students that we can draw pictures, or Main Idea Maps,
that help us to understand how the ideas of a multi-paragraph passage fit
together. Present these three steps for mapping out the main ideas of an
expository:
Locating the Main Ideas of Paragraphs. Read
through a short (2-6 paragraph) practice expository passage with students.
On a blank overhead transparency or chart paper, begin building a graphic
organizer by writing the title of the passage in the center. Draw a box around
the title. (If the passage has no title, query the class and make up a suitable
title based on their suggestions.) NOTE: Instead of drawing your own map, you
can use the pre-formatted Main Idea Graphic Organizer that is included with
this strategy.
Tell students that some paragraphs have summary sentences that state the main
idea or "gist" of the paragraph or passage. Other paragraphs have
implied main ideas, which the reader must figure out, based on key facts or
ideas that they contain.
Go through each paragraph in the practice passage and identify the
paragraph's main idea. Demonstrate how to summarize that main idea as a single,
succinct phrase.
Building the Main Idea Graphic Organizer. As
you summarize each paragraph's main idea, write the number of the paragraph and
main-idea summary phrase on the graphic organizer. (Start writing at the upper
left corner of the organizer sheet and continue clockwise around the page.
Space the summary phrases to allow space to write under each. See the sample
"Main Idea Graphic Organizer.").
Adding Key Facts. When you
have written the main idea for all of the paragraphs onto the graphic
organizer, return to the passage. For each paragraph, pull out 2-3 important
facts, ideas, or supporting details. On the graphic organizer, write these key
pieces of additional information under the main-idea phrase for that paragraph.
Then draw a box around the main-idea and supporting details and move on to the
next paragraph.
Step 2: Practice Using the
Graphic Organizer as a Study Tool. Demonstrate how the completed Main Idea
Graphic Organizer can be a useful method to summarize and review the content of
expository passages. Give students new practice passages and have them create
their own graphic organizers. Provide feedback and encouragement as needed.
References
Berkowitz, S.J. (1986).
Effects of instruction in text organization on sixth-grade students' memory for
expository reading. Reading
Research Quarterly, 21, 161-178.
Mental
Imagery: Improving Text Recall
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
By constructing "mental pictures" of what they are reading and
closely studying text illustrations, students increase their reading
comprehension.
Reserve at least a full instructional session to introduce this comprehension
strategy. (For effective-teaching tips, consult the guidelines presented in Introducing
Academic Strategies to Students: A Direct-Instruction Approach).
Materials:
- Overhead transparencies of sample
passages taken from expository or narrative texts, transparency markers
- Student copies of practice
expository or narrative passages (optional) or reading/text books
Preparation:
- Prepare overheads of sample
expository or narrative passages.
Steps in Implementing
This Intervention:
Step 1: Tell
students that they can remember more of what they read by:
- making pictures in their mind of what they are reading
- carefully studying pictures or illustrations that appear
in their reading or text books
Step 2: Using a
"think-aloud" approach, read through a short sample narrative or
expository passage. Pause at several points to tell the class what "mental
pictures" come to your mind as you read; ask students to describe their
own mental imagery as they react to the same passage. As you come across
pictures or illustrations in the passage, study them and reflect aloud on what
clues they give you about the passage's meaning.
Step 3: Read aloud from
additional passages. Stop at key points in the passage and call on students to
relate their mental imagery evoked by the passage or to give their
interpretation of the significance of illustrations or pictures.
Step 4: When students are
able to use mental imagery independently, use a prompt at the start of reading
assignments to cue them to use the strategy. You might say, for example,
"Now we are going to read about what life is like in a country village in Zimbabwe. Remember
to make pictures in your head about what you are reading and study the pictures
carefully."
References
Gambrell, L.B. & Bales,
R.B. (1986). Mental imagery and the comprehension-monitoring performance of
fourth- and fifth-grade poor readers. Reading
Research Quarterly, 21, 454-464.
Gambrell, L.B. & Jawitz, P.B. (1993). Mental imagery, text illustrations,
and children's story comprehension and recall. Reading Research Quarterly, 23,
265-273.
Oral Recitation Lesson
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
This intervention builds student motivation and interest by having them
participate along with the teacher in repeated public readings of a story across several
days. Throughout the process, the entire class discusses the work as
literature.
Reserve several instructional sessions to introduce the steps in this
comprehension strategy. (For effective-teaching tips, consult the guidelines
presented in Introducing
Academic Strategies
to Students: A Direct-Instruction Approach).
Materials:
- Teacher and student copies of
reading series or literature books
Preparation:
- Select and become familiar with a
story to be read by the class across multiple days.
Steps in Implementing This Intervention:
Step 1: On day 1, introduce
the story, giving general information about the characters, setting, and plot.
Engage students in a discussion about what they predict might happen in the
story.
Read the entire story aloud to the class while
students follow along in their own books. Read in an expressive manner (e.g.,
using a dramatic voice to emphasize dire or urgent situations, changing
inflection and tone of voice to reflect the dialog of various characters,
etc.). Stop periodically in your reading to ask reaction questions ("How
do you feel about the predicament that Mr. Blaha finds himself in? Has anything
like that ever happened to you?") and prediction questions ("OK, we
know that Mr. Blaha is in trouble because he is lost in the cave with no
flashlight. What do you think he will do next?").
At the conclusion of the story, discuss its narrative elements with the class.
For example, you might ask students to:
- describe the personality of the
main character
- talk about other important
characters in the story and their foibles or qualities
- give details about the time and
setting of the story
- pinpoint the central problem(s) or
challenge(s) that the main character faces
- describe how the main character
responded to various plot developments
- decide what overarching theme or
lesson the story might convey.
Wrap up the lesson by summarizing the story. Be
sure to fold into your summary key points that came up in class discussion. Use
this opportunity to highlight and define new vocabulary that appeared in the
story.
Step 2: On day 2, give
a thumbnail review of the story that you read to the class on Day 1.
Inform students that in this session they will have the chance to practice
reading the story aloud. Their goal is to read selections from the story with
fluency, and feeling.
Read an opening passage from the story. As you read, stop occasionally to point
out to students how you use expressive qualities of your voice to make the
story "come alive."
Read another short passage. Then direct the entire class to read the same
passage aloud. Next, select a single student to read the passage, directing him
or her to use an expressive voice. If the student reader has difficulty, model
by reading the passage aloud again. At the end of the student's reading, gently
correct any reading mistakes that interfere with the story's meaning and praise
the student. Ask other students to read additional passages aloud as time
allows.
Assign each student in the class a short passage from the story that they will
be responsible for reading aloud at the next session. (Day 3). Allow them time
to practice their passage (or assign as homework).
Step 3: On day 3, read an
introductory passage from the story aloud, again with expression. As you come
to a passage assigned to a student, ask that student to read his or her section
aloud. Provide supportive feedback to the student about his or her performance
and ask other students to comment on the reading as well. Continue through the
story until all students have read their assigned selections.
References
Hoffman, J.R. (1987).
Rethinking the role of oral reading in basal instruction. The Elementary School Journal,
87, 367-373.
Reutzel, D.R. & Hollingsworth, P.M. (1993). Effects of fluency training on
second graders' reading comprehension. Journal
of Educational Research, 86, 325-331.
Prior Knowledge:
Activating the 'Known'
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Through a series of guided questions, the instructor helps students activate
their prior knowledge of a specific topic to help them comprehend the content of a story
or article on the same topic. Linking new facts to prior knowledge increases a
student's inferential comprehension (ability to place novel information in a
meaningful context by comparing it to already-learned information).
Reserve at least a full instructional session to introduce this comprehension
strategy. (For effective-teaching tips, consult the guidelines presented in Introducing
Academic Strategies to Students: A Direct-Instruction Approach).
Materials:
- Overhead transparencies of practice
reading passages and sample Text Prediction questions, transparency
markers
- Student copies of practice reading
passages (optional) or reading/text books, blank paper and pencil or pen
Preparation:
- Prepare overheads of sample
passages.
- Locate 3 main ideas per passage
and-for each idea-develop a prior knowledge question and a prediction
question (see below).
Steps in Implementing
This Intervention:
Step 1: Introduce
this strategy to the class:
Explain the Benefit of Using Prior Knowledge to
Understand a Reading
Passage: Tell students that
recalling their prior experiences ("their own life") can help them to
understand the content of their reading. New facts make sense only when we
connect them to what we already know.
Demonstrate the Text Prediction Strategy. Select a sample passage and use a
"think-aloud" approach to show students how to use the
text-prediction strategy. (Note: To illustrate how the strategy is used, this
intervention script uses the attached example,Attending
Public School in Japan.)
Prompt
Students to Think About 'What and Why': Describe
what strategy you are about to apply and the reason for doing so. You might
say, for example, "I am about to read a short article on public schools in
Japan. Before I read the article, though, I should think about my life
experiences and what they might tell me about the topic that I am about to read
about. By thinking about my own life, I will better understand the
article."
Preview
Main Ideas from the Reading and Pose Prior Knowledge and Prediction Questions. One at a time, pose three main
ideas that appear in the article or story. For each key idea, present one
question requiring that readers tap their own prior knowledge of the topic and
another that prompts them to predict how the article or story might deal with
the topic.
Here is a typical question cycle, composed of a main idea statement, prior
knowledge question, prediction question, and student opportunity to write a
response.
Assign
Students to Read the Story or Article Independently. Once you have presented three main ideas and students
have responded to all questions, have them read the selection independently.
Step
2: When students have learned the Text Prediction
strategy, use it regularly to introduce new reading assignments.
References
Hansen,
J. & Pearson, P.D. (1983). An instructional study: Improving the
inferential comprehension of good and poor fourth-grade readers. Journal of Educational Psychology,
75, 821-829.
Question-Generation
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Students
are taught to boost their comprehension of expository passages by (1) locating the
main idea or key ideas in the
passage and (2) generating questions based on that information.
Reserve at least a full instructional session to introduce this comprehension
strategy. (For effective-teaching tips, consult the guidelines presented in Introducing
Academic Strategies to Students: A Direct-Instruction Approach).
Materials:
Preparation:
Steps
in Implementing This Intervention:
Step
1: Introduce this
strategy to the class:
- Locating
Explicit Main Idea: Tell students that some passages have summary sentences that
state the main idea or "gist" of the paragraph or passage.
Using examples of passages with explicit main ideas, train students to
identify and underline main-idea sentences.
- Finding
Key Facts. In some
passages, the main idea is implied rather than explicitly stated. Readers
must first identify the key facts or ideas of the passage before they can
summarize the passage's main idea. Using examples of passages with
implied main ideas, locate and circle key facts or ideas. Describe to
students how you distinguished this central information from less
important details. Have students practice this skill on additional
practice passages.
- Writing
a "Gist" Sentence. Show students a passage with an implied main idea. Circle all key
ideas or facts. Demonstrate how to write a "gist" sentence (one
that is built from the identified key ideas and summarizes the
paragraph's main idea). Emphasize that the reader may have link
information from different sections of the passage to build a gist
sentence. Have students practice this skill on additional practice
passages.
- Generating
Questions. Tell students that careful readers often
construct questions about what they are reading to help them learn. Put
up a list of 'signal words' that can be used as question-starters: e.g.,
who, what, where, when, why, how. Using sample passages, show students
how to convert explicit main-idea sentences or reader-created
"gist" sentences into questions. Point out that these questions
can be a good study tool because they are linked to answers that the
student has already located in the passage.
Step
2: Give students selected practice passages and instruct
them to apply the full question-generation strategy. Provide feedback and
encouragement as needed.
References
Davey,
B., & McBride, S. (1986). Effects of question-generation training on
reading comprehension. Journal of Educational Psychology, 78, 256-262.
Rosenshine, B., Meister, C., & Chapman, S. (1996). Teaching students to
generate questions: A review of the intervention studies. Review of Educational Research,
66, 181-221.
Reciprocal Teaching: A Reading Comprehension Package
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
The
intervention package teaches students to use reading comprehension strategies
independently, including text prediction,
summarization, question generation, and clarification of unknown or unclear
content.
For effective-teaching tips to use when introducing this strategy,
consult the guidelines presented in Introducing
Academic Strategies to Students: A Direct-Instruction Approach.
Materials:
Preparation:
Steps
in Implementing This Intervention:
Step
1: Set aside at least four successive instructional days to
introduce students to each of the following comprehension strategies:
As
you introduce each strategy, "think aloud" as you apply the technique
to a sample passage, write down responses on the Reciprocal
Teaching Strategies Worksheet, and check for student understanding
of key concepts. (NOTE: See the
student handout, Be
a Careful Reader!: Four Strategies to Better Understand What You Are Reading,
for a review of the core concepts of Reciprocal Teaching.)
Step 2: After students have been introduced to the key
strategies, the group is now ready to apply all four strategies from the Reciprocal Teaching package to a sample reading passage.
For each strategy (prediction, summarization, question generation, clarifying),
briefly review the technique. Then randomly select a student
"instructor" to guide the group to apply the strategy and complete
the relevant section of the Reciprocal
Teaching Strategies Worksheet. (Be prepared to offer assistance to the
student "instructor" as needed.) Give specific praise to students for
appropriately using comprehension strategies.
Step 3: As
the group shows an increased mastery of the strategies, assign students to read
text segments silently. Then take the students as a group through the four
strategies, calling on different students to discuss how they applied the
strategies to the passage.
Step 4: Give
students copies of the Reciprocal
Teaching Strategies Worksheet and
instruct them to read a passage silently without interruption. Prior to their
starting, remind students to take time occasionally during reading to make
predictions about the text, note main ideas, formulate key questions, and
clarify unclear material.
Troubleshooting:
While they participate in the large-group instruction, some
students do not appear to use the comprehension strategies in their independent
reading. After
independent reading assignments, pair students off to compare their completed
Reciprocal Teaching worksheets. Have individuals in each student pair alternate
in discussing how they applied the strategies. Walk around the room observing
discussion. If you notice that a student has failed to complete his or her
worksheet, pull him or her aside later for a private conference to discover
what problems might be preventing the student from using these strategies.
Students do not use the Reciprocal Teaching strategies across instructional settings. Let other teachers know
that you have taught your students to use this package of comprehension
strategies. Share copies of the Reciprocal Teaching Strategies Worksheet with
your fellow instructors and invite them to use it. Share a copy of the
worksheet with students' parents and encourage them to see that their child
uses it for all reading assignments.
References
Lysynchuk,
L.M., Pressley, M., & Vye, N.J. (1990). Reciprocal teaching improves
standardized reading comprehension performance in poor comprehenders. The Elementary School Journal,
90, 469-484.
Listening,
Reading, And Receiving Corrective Feedback (Rose
& Sherry, 1984; Van Bon, Boksebeld, Font Freide, & Van den Hurk, J.M.,
1991)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
The
student ‘rehearses’ a text by first following along silently as a more
accomplished reader (tutor) reads a passage aloud; then the student reads the
same passage aloud while receiving corrective feedback as needed.
The
student and tutor sit side-by-side at a table with a book between them. The
tutor begins by reading aloud from the book for about 2 minutes while the student
reads silently. If necessary, the tutor tracks his or her progress across the
page with an index finger to help the student to keep up. At the end of the 2
minutes, the tutor stops reading and asks the student to read aloud. If the
student commits a reading error or hesitates for longer than 3-5 seconds, the
tutor tells the student the correct word and has the student continue reading.
For each new passage, the tutor first reads the passage aloud before having the
student read aloud.
References
Rose,
T.L., & Sherry, L. (1984). Relative effects of two previewing procedures on
LD adolescents’ oral reading performance. Learning Disabilities Quarterly, 7,
39-44.
Van
Bon, W.H.J., Boksebeld, L.M., Font Freide, T.A.M., & Van den Hurk, J.M.
(1991). A comparison of three methods of reading-while-listening. Journal of
Learning Disabilities, 24, 471-476.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Paired
Reading (Topping,
1987)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
The
student builds fluency and confidence as a reader by first reading aloud in
unison with an accomplished reader, then signaling that he or she is ready to
read on alone with corrective feedback.
The
more accomplished reader (tutor) and student sit in a quiet location with a
book positioned between them. The tutor says to the student, “Now we are going
to read aloud together for a little while. Whenever you want to read alone,
just tap the back of my hand like this [demonstrate] and I will stop reading. If
you come to a word you don’t know, I will tell you the word and begin reading
with you again.” Tutor and student begin reading aloud together. If the student
misreads a word, the tutor points to the word and pronounces it. Then the
student repeats the word. When the student reads the word correctly, tutor and
student resume reading through the passage. When the child delivers the
appropriate signal (a hand tap) to read independently, the tutor stops reading
aloud and instead follows along silently as the student continues with oral
reading. The tutor occasionally praises the student in specific terms for good
reading (e.g., “That was a hard word. You did a nice job sounding it out!”).
If, while reading alone, the child either commits a reading error or hesitates
for longer than 5 seconds, the tutor points to the error-word and pronounces
it. Then the tutor tells the student to say the word. When the student
pronounces the error-word correctly, tutor and student resume reading aloud in
unison. This tandem reading continues until the student again signals to read
alone.
References
Topping,
K. (1987). Paired reading: A powerful technique for parent use. Reading
Teacher, 40, 608-614.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Repeated
Reading (Herman,
1985; Rashotte & Torgesen, 1985; Rasinski, 1990)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
The
student increases fluency in decoding by repeatedly reading the same passage
while receiving help with reading errors.
A
more accomplished reader (tutor) sits with the student in a quiet location with
a book positioned between them. The tutor selects a passage in the book of
about 100 to 200 words in length. The tutor directs the student to read the
passage aloud. If the student misreads a word or hesitates for longer than 5
seconds, the tutor reads the word aloud and has the student repeat the word
correctly before continuing through the passage. If the student asks for help
with any word, the tutor reads the word aloud. If the student requests a word definition,
the tutor gives the definition. When the student has completed the passage, the
tutor directs the student to read the passage again. The tutor directs the
student to continue rereading the same passage until either the student has
read the passage a total of 4 times or the student reads the passage at the
rate of at least 85 to 100 words per minute. Then tutor and student select a
new passage and repeat the process.
References
Herman,
P.A. (1985). The effects of repeated readings on reading rate, speech pauses,
and word recognition accuracy. Reading Research Quarterly, 20, 553-565.
Rashotte,
C.A. & Torgesen, J.K. (1985). Repeated reading and reading fluency in
learning disabled children. Reading Research Quarterly, 20, 180-188.
Rasinski,
T.V. (1990). Effects of repeated reading and listening-while-reading on reading
fluency. Journal of Educational Research, 83(3), 147-150.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Assisted Reading Practice
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
In
this very simple but effective intervention, the student reads aloud while an
accomplished reader follows along silently. If the student commits a reading
error, the helping reader corrects the student error.
Materials:
Preparation:
Steps
in Implementing This Intervention:
Step
1: Sit with the student
in a quiet location without too many distractions. Position the book selected
for the reading session so that both you and the student can easily follow the
text. (Or get two copies of the book so that you each have your own copy.)
Step 2: Instruct the student
to begin reading out loud. Encourage him or her to "do your best
reading."
Step 3: Follow along silently
in the text as the student reads.
Step 4: If the student
mispronounces a word or hesitates for longer than 5 seconds, tell the student
the word. Have the student repeat the word correctly. Direct the student to
continue reading aloud through the passage.
Step 5: Occasionally, praise
the student in specific terms for good reading (e.g., "You are doing a
really great job of sounding out the words that you don't know. Good
work!").
References
Shany,
M.T. & Biemiller, A. (1995). Assisted reading practice: Effects on
performance for poor readers in grades 3 and 4 . Reading Research Quarterly, 30,
382-395.
Kids as Reading Helpers: A Peer Tutor
Training Manual
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Perhaps
the most pressing challenge that schools face is that of ensuring that all
children become competent readers. Young children who experience problems in
reading quickly fall behind their more skilled classmates in their ability to decode
and comprehend text. This gap in reading skills can emerge as early as first
grade-and, once present, tends to be quite stable over time (Stanovich, 1986).
First-grade teachers can predict with some confidence, for example, that those
children in their classrooms with significant reading deficits by the end of
the school year will very likely have continuing difficulties in reading in the
fourth grade.
While the long-term negative impact of poor readers can be enormous, the good
news is that schools can train their own students to deliver effective tutoring
in reading to younger peers. Kids
as Reading Helpers: A Peer Tutor Training Manual is a complete package for
training peer reading tutors. Peer tutoring answers the nagging problem of
delivering effective reading support to the many struggling young readers in
our schools. Furthermore, peer tutoring programs can improve the reading skills
of tutors as well as tutees (Ehly, 1986) and - in some studies-have been shown
to build tutor's social skills as well (Garcia-Vazquez & Ehly, 1995). Young
children tend to find the opportunity to read aloud to an older peer tutor to
be quite reinforcing, adding a motivational component to this intervention.
Elements of an Effective
Peer Tutoring Program
While schools can exercise considerable creative freedom as they put together a
peer tutoring program in reading, they should also take care to adhere to a
core set of tutoring guidelines to ensure success (Garcia-Vazquez & Ehly,
1995). These guidelines include:
- selecting
peer tutoring activities that supplement classroom instruction. Peer tutors are not reading teachers, so they do
not teach new reading skills. However, peer tutors are ideal for the role
of 'reading helpers', who motivate and encourage struggling readers to
practice reading skills that were previously taught. Just as important,
the tutor can give immediate corrective feedback whenever the child being
tutored makes a reading error.
- providing
thorough training to peer tutors in the essential elements of the tutoring
process. Peer tutors cannot carry out the key components
of their tutoring assignment unless they have been carefully trained
beforehand. Schools organizing a peer tutor training should assume that
tutors require lessons in behavioral expectations (e.g., how to move
politely and respectfully through the hallway to and from tutoring
sessions), use of praise (e.g., congratulating the tutee on having read a
difficult passage), and simple academic intervention strategies (e.g.,
paired reading).
- ensuring
that peer tutors have mastered the essentials of tutoring before allowing
them to meet with their tutees. When training tutors, schools should give them
opportunities to practice, and to demonstrate their mastery of, the
various skills taught. Trainers can exercise their imaginations to come up
with fun ways that tutors can practice skills under the watchful eye of
the trainer. Group responding, pairing off students to complete
cooperative learning activities, and use of role-play are only some of the
strategies that students can be invited to 'show what they know'.
- adopting
research-based treatments to improve the reading skills of tutees.Peer tutors can be especially useful in helping
their tutees to develop fluency in reading. The peer-tutoring program
outlined in this manual trains tutors to use either paired reading
(Topping, 1987) or 'listening while reading'. Both approaches are simple
rehearsal techniques with corrective feedback that have been shown to
increase reading fluency.
The importance of reading fluency to literacy skills was underscored in
the recent report issued by the National Reading Panel (2000). In a
comprehensive review of effective techniques for teaching students to
read, the NRP concluded that "classroom practices that encourage
repeated oral reading with feedback and guidance leads to meaningful
improvements in reading expertise for students-for good readers as well as
those who are experiencing difficulties (NRP, 2000, p.3-3).
- conducting
periodic 'tutoring integrity checks'. The active treatment components of most peer
tutoring programs consist of (1) activities that give the tutee lots of
opportunities to practice targeted academic skills. (2) praise, and (3)
the timely use of corrective feedback. Adults who supervise peer tutors
should occasionally drop in to observe tutoring session, using a
structured 'integrity checklist' to rate the quality of the tutoring.
These periodic integrity checks can inform the supervisor of any tutors
who are lapsing from the prescribed tutoring format and need additional
'refresher' training to improve their tutoring skills.
- monitoring
the effectiveness of peer tutoring. The purpose of peer tutoring is to improve the reading skills of
tutees and tutors alike. Schools should select academic measures to use to
track students' reading levels both before tutoring begins (baseline) and
during the tutoring program (ongoing progress monitoring). An ideal,
research-based method for tracking student growth in reading fluency is
Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM). CBM is an ideal measure for peer
tutoring programs and can be used to monitor reading growth in both tutors
and tutees. For a free online manual with guidelines on how to use CBM,
view Curriculum-Based Measurement: A
Manual for Teachers (Wright, 1992).
References
Ehly,
S. (1986). Peer Tutoring: A
guide for school psychologists. Washington, DC: National Association of
School Psychologists.
Garcia-Vazquez, E., & Ehly, S. (1995). Best practices in facilitating peer
tutoring programs. In A. Thomas & J.Grimes (Eds.), Best Practices in School
Psychology-III (pp.403-411).
Washington, DC: National Association of School Psychologists.
Stanovich, K.E. (1986). Matthew effects in reading: Some consequences of
individual differences in the acquisition of literacy. Reading Research Quarterly, 21, 360-407.
Topping, K. (1987). Paired reading: A powerful technique for parent use. Reading Teacher, 40, 608-614.
Wright, J. (1992). Curriculum-based
measurement: A manual for teachers. Available
online at: http://www.jimwrightonline.com/pdfdocs/cbmManual.pdf
Listening Passage Preview
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
The
student follows along silently as an accomplished reader reads a passage aloud.
Then the student reads the passage aloud, receiving corrective feedback as needed.
Materials:
Preparation:
Steps
in Implementing This Intervention:
Step
1: Sit with the student in a quiet location without too
many distractions. Position the book selected for the reading session so that
both you and the student can easily follow the text. (Or get two copies of the
book so that you each have your own copy.)
Step 2: Say to the student, "Now we are going to read
together. Each time, I will read first, while you follow along silently in the
book. Then you read the same part out loud."
Step 3: Read aloud from the book for about 2 minutes while
the student reads silently. If you are working with a younger or less-skilled
reader, you may want to track your progress across the page with your index
finger to help the student to keep up with you.
Step 4: Stop reading and say to the student, "Now it is your turn to read.
If you come to a word that you do not know, I will help you with it." Have the student read aloud. If
the student commits a reading error or hesitates for longer than 3-5 seconds,
tell the student the correct word and have the student continue reading.
Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have finished the
selected passage or story.
References
Rose,
T.L., & Sherry, L. (1984). Relative effects of two previewing procedures on
LD adolescents' oral reading performance. Learning
Disabilities Quarterly, 7, 39-44.
Van Bon, W.H.J., Boksebeld, L.M., Font Freide, T.A.M., & Van den Hurk, J.M.
(1991). A comparison of three methods of reading-while-listening. Journal of Learning Disabilities,
24, 471-476.
Drilling
Error Words (Jenkins & Larson, 1979)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
When
students practice, drill, and receive corrective feedback on words that they
misread, they can rapidly improve their vocabulary and achieve gains in reading
fluency.
Here
are steps that the teacher or tutor will follow in the Error Word Drill: (1) When
the student misreads a word during a reading session, write down the error word
and date in a separate “Error Word Log”. (2) At the end of the reading session,
write out all error words from the reading session onto index cards. (If the
student has misread more than 20 different words during the session, use just
the first 20 words from your error-word list. If the student has misread fewer
than 20 words, consult your “Error Word Log” and select enough additional error
words from past sessions to build the review list to 20 words.) (3) Review the
index cards with the student. Whenever the student pronounces a word correctly,
remove that card from the deck and set it aside. (A word is considered correct
if it is read correctly within 5 seconds. Self-corrected words are counted as
correct if they are made within the 5-second period. Words read correctly after
the 5-second period expires are counted as incorrect.) (4) When the student
misses a word, pronounce the word for the student and have the student repeat
the word. Then say, “What word?” and direct the student to repeat the word once
more. Place the card with the missed word at the bottom of the deck. (5) Error
words in deck are presented until all have been read correctly. All word cards
are then gathered together, reshuffled, and presented again to the student. The
drill continues until either time runs out or the student has progressed
through the deck without an error on two consecutive cards.
References
Jenkins,
J. & Larsen, D. (1979). Evaluation of error-correction procedures for oral
reading. Journal of Special Education, 13, 145-156.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Tackling
Multi-Syllabic Words (Gleason, Archer, & Colvin, 2002)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
The
student uses affixes (suffixes and prefixes) and decodable ‘chunks’ to decode
multi-syllabic words.
The
instructor teaches students to identify the most common prefixes and suffixes
present in multi-syllable words, and trains students to readily locate and
circle these affixes. The instructor also trains students to segment the
remainder of unknown words into chunks, stressing that readers do not need to
divide these words into dictionary-perfect syllables. Rather, readers
informally break up the word into graphemes (any grouping of letters including
one or more vowels that represents a basic sound unit—or grapheme--in English).
Readers then decode the mystery word by reading all affixes and graphemes in
the order that they appear in that word.
References
Gleason,
M. M., Archer, A. L., & Colvin, G. (2002). Interventions for improving
study skills. In M. A. Shinn, H. M. Walker & G. Stoner (Eds.),
Interventions for academic and behavior problems II: Preventive and remedial
approaches (pp.651-680). Bethesda, MD: National Association of School
Psychologists.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Teach
a Hierarchy of Strategies (Haring, Lovitt, Eaton & Hansen, 1978)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
The
student has a much greater chance of successfully decoding a difficult word
when he or she uses a ‘Word Attack Hierarchy’--a coordinated set of strategies
that move from simple to more complex.
The
student uses successive strategies until solving the word. (1) When the student
realizes that he or she has misread a word, the student first attempts to decode
the word again. (2) Next, the student reads the entire sentence, using the
context of that sentence to try to figure out the word’s meaning--and
pronunciation. (3) The student breaks the word into parts, pronouncing each
one. (4) If still unsuccessful, the student uses an index card to cover
sections of the word, each time pronouncing only the part that is visible. The
student asks ‘What sound does ___ make?, using phonics information to sound out
the word. (5) If still unsuccessful, the student asks a more accomplished
reader to read the word.
References
Haring,
N.G., Lovitt, T.C., Eaton, M.D., & Hansen, C.L. (1978). The fourth R:
Research in the classroom. Columbus, OH: Charles E. Merrill Publishing.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
SMART - Start Making a Reader Today
(Volunteer tutoring program for at-risk
readers in early elementary school)
Randomized
controlled trial shows that this low-cost intervention has sizable
positive impacts on students' reading ability.
Description of
the intervention: Developed in 1992 in Oregon, SMART (Start Making a
Reader Today) recruits community volunteers to tutor low-performing K-2
students in reading. The program operates statewide, serving
approximately 11,000 students in 260 elementary schools each year. The
Oregon business community provides significant financial assistance to the
program, and many of the volunteer tutors are recruited from the business
community.
Volunteers receive
minimal training (1-2 hour orientation and introduction to reading
strategies), and are encouraged to use their own judgment when tutoring.
The program also provides volunteers with a handbook describing four reading
strategies a volunteer can use with the student: 1) reading to the
student; 2) reading along with the student; 3) reading a passage and having the
student re-read it; and 4) asking the child questions during reading.
Teachers
identify students at-risk of reading failure to participate in the
program. These students attend 30-minute sessions twice a
week during school hours, and can take home two books per month to
build a home library.
Each school
has a part-time SMART coordinator with no formal training in elementary reading
instruction who manages the logistics of the program. In the version of
SMART that was rigorously evaluated, each student participated in tutoring
for six months in both first and second (but not third) grade.
The program,
which has primarily been paid for by donations, costs $300 per child per year
(2004 dollars), making it a very low-cost intervention.
Click here for the SMART website.
Reference:
Baker,
Scott, Russell Gersten and Thomas
Keating. When less may be more: A 2-year longitudinal
evaluation of a volunteer tutoring program requiring minimal training. Reading Research Quarterly, Volume 35,
Number 4; Oct-Dec. 2000.
PALS
(Peer
Assisted Learning Strategies)
Peer
Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS) is a
class-wide peer-tutoring program providing
supplemental practice and instruction on key reading skills. K-PALS focuses on phonemic awareness,
alphabetic principle and sight word reading. First
Grade PALS focuses on alphabetic principle, fluency and sight word
reading. Second-Eighth Grade PALS focuses
on fluency and accuracy in connected text and reading comprehension strategies
of summarization, main idea and predication. High
School PALS focuses on Fluency and comprehension skills within the
context of a career, job oriented structure. Lessons are provided to train
students to be “readers and coaches.” Students are taught correction procedures
and instructional cues. K=8 PALS can be
used in general or special educational classrooms.
High
School PALS has only been validated in special
education and remedial settings.
Program:
PALS (Peer Assisted Learning Strategies)
Publisher/Source:
Vanderbilt University
Educational
level: K, 1, 2-6, 7-12
Author:
Lynn and Doug Fuchs
QuickReads
QuickReads
is a research-based fluency program that features
short, high interest nonfiction texts designed to be read quickly and
meaningfully. It is designed for students who read at grade levels 2 – 4. QuickReads
can improve fluency, comprehension, background
knowledge and vocabulary.
QuickReads
has a classroom-validated instructional routine
that takes 15 minutes and is done with students daily. QuickReads promotes fluent reading by:
1.
Supporting automaticity through the use of grade level, high frequency words
and phonics/syllabic patterns necessary for success at each grade level.
2. Developing
content-rich vocabulary, consistent comprehension strategies and critical
background knowledge.
3. Helping
students learn more about critical curriculum areas with a focus on social studies
and science.
4. Helping
students build background knowledge by reading five connected text passages
around one topic.
5. Modeling
fluent reading by teacher model.
Evidence of
Positive Effects on Reading Achievement: Field-testing in classrooms demonstrated
significant fluency gains for both native English speakers as well as English
language learners. For additional information see website: www.textproject.org.
Local
evidence of positive effects: Local School districts within Heartland have data
available
on fluency gains of students.
Program:
QuickReads
Source/Publisher:
Pearson Learning
Educational
Level: 2nd – 4th
grade and remedial 5th – 7th
Educational
Level: 2nd – 4th
grade and remedial 5th – 7th
Author: Alfrieda
Hiebart
REWARDS
(Reading Excellence: Word Attack and Rate Development Strategies)
The
REWARDS method is a flexible strategy to
move students from early elementary reading level to one of increased fluency
and comprehension. Many student having mastered basic readings skills have
difficulty with multisyllabic words. The REWARDS
method of decoding words by segmenting their parts is key to this
program. It has been field tested with positive results in intensive remedial
programs as well as in general and special education classrooms.
Program:
REWARDS (Reading Excellence: Word Attack and Rate Development Strate3gies)
Publisher/Source:
Sopris West
Education
level: Grades 3-7
Author:
Anita Archer
Tutoring with the Lindamood Phonemic
Sequencing Reading Curriculum
(An
intervention for at-risk readers in grades K-2)
Randomized
controlled trial shows sizable positive impacts on reading ability for
students with poor phonological processing (e.g., letter naming, and awareness
of the sounds within words).
Description of
the intervention: Lindamood Phonemic Sequencing is a curriculum for K-2
students with poor phonological processing. The curriculum provides
intense instruction in word-level skills -- including building awareness of the
sounds within words (”phonemic awareness”) and letter-sound correspondences --
to enable students to “decode” individual words. After the children
demonstrate mastery in decoding words, they begin reading text that is readily
decodable, followed by oral reading of regular books with tutors focusing on
comprehension skills.
In the version
of this intervention that was rigorously evaluated, students were provided
one-on-one tutoring using Lindamood Phonemic Sequencing, in four 20-minute
sessions per week for 2.5 years beginning in the second semester of
kindergarten. Two of the sessions were conducted by a certified reading
teacher and two by a teacher's aide who followed the teacher's written
instructions. The teachers received 18 hours of training prior to the
intervention, and three hours of in-service training bi-weekly during the intervention.
Their tutoring sessions were periodically videotaped and reviewed by project
consultants to identify areas for improvement. The aides were provided
less extensive training.
The cost of
the Lindamood Phonemic Sequencing manual and initial 18-hour training
is $649 per teacher. Additional costs include (i) the teachers' time
spent tutoring (about one hour per student per week); (ii) the aides' time
tutoring (also an hour per student per week); (iii) the bi-weekly in-service
training of teachers; and (iv) the training of aides.
Click here for the
curriculum's website.
Source
Torgesen,
Joseph, Richard
Wagner, Carol Rashotte, Elaine Rose, Patricia
Lindamood, Tim Conway,
& Cyndi
Garvan (1999). “Preventing reading failure in young
children with phonological processing disabilities: Group and individual
responses to instruction.” Journal of
Educational Psychology, 91, 579-593.
Teaching
Phonemic Awareness: Phonemic Awareness programs and materials
Phonemic Awareness materials should:
- Progress
from easier phonemic awareness activities to more difficult (rhyming,
sound matching to blending, segmentation, and manipulation).
- Focus
on segmentation or the combination of blending and segmenting.
- Start
with larger linguistic units (i.e., words and syllables) and proceed to
smaller linguistic units (i.e., phonemes).
- Begin
instruction that focuses on the phonemic level of phonological units
with short words (2-3 phonemes: at, mud, run).
- Focus
first on initial (sat), then final (sat), and lastly the medial sound
(sat) in word).
- Introduce
continuous sounds (e.g., m, r, s) before stop
sounds (t, b, k), as stop sounds are more difficult to
elongate and isolate.
- Add
letter-sound correspondence instruction to phonological awareness
interventions after children demonstrate early phonemic awareness.
- Provide
brief instructional sessions. Significant gains in phonemic awareness
are often made in 15-20 minutes of daily instruction and practice over a
period of 9-12 weeks.
|
Source
Smith
S. B., Simmons, D. C., & Kame'enui, E. J. (1998). Phonological awareness:
Instructional and curricular basics and implications. In D. C. Simmons & E.
J. Kame'enui (eds.), What reading
research tells us about children with diverse learning needs: Bases and basics.
Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
The
Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing® Program
A
program that stimulates phonemic awareness. Individuals become aware of the
mouth actions which produce speech sounds. This awareness becomes the means of
verifying sounds within words and enables individuals to become self-correcting
in reading and spelling, and speech.
It is common for individuals to gain several grade levels in decoding ability
in four weeks to six weeks of intensive instruction, or to make further gains
in speech-language after hitting a plateau under traditional speech therapy.
Source
Pokorni,
Judith L.; Worthington,
Colleen K.; Jamison,
Patricia J. (2004). Phonological Awareness Intervention: Comparison of
Fast Forword, Earobics, and Lips. Journal
of Educational Research, 97, 3.
147-158.
Strategies
for Phonemic/Phonological Awareness Instruction
When
the reader’s problem is:
Obtained
from http://www.educationoasis.com/curriculum/Reading/Resources_reading/ISphonolog.htm on
12/8/2008.
Encourage
Students to Draw to Clarify Understanding
(Van Essen & Hamaker, 1990)
Description: Making a drawing of an
applied, or ‘word’, problem is one easy heuristic tool that students can use to
help them to find the solution. An additional benefit of the drawing strategy
is that it can reveal to the teacher any student misunderstandings about how to
set up or solve the word problem.
Materials: Math worksheet containing at
least six word problems.
Reference: Van Essen, G., &
Hamaker, C. (1990). Using self-generated drawings to solve arithmetic word
problems. Journal of Educational Research, 83, 301-312.
Steps:
1.
To introduce students to the drawing strategy, the teacher hands out a
worksheet containing at least six word problems. The teacher explains to
students that making a picture of a word problem sometimes makes that problem
clearer and easier to solve.
2.
The teacher and students then independently create drawings of each of the
problems on the worksheet.
3.
The students show their drawings for each problem, explaining each drawing and how
it relates to the word problem. The teacher also participates, explaining his
or her drawings to the class or group.
4.
Students are directed independently to make drawings as an intermediate
problem-solving step when they are faced with challenging word problems.
NOTE:
This strategy appears to be more effective when used in later, rather than
earlier elementary grades.
Math
Vocabulary: Preteach, Model, and Use Standard Math Terms
Description: These three strategies can
help students learn essential math vocabulary: preteaching key vocabulary
items, modeling those vocabulary words, and using only universally accepted
math terms in instruction.
Materials: key math vocabulary
Reference: Chard, D. (n.d..) Vocabulary
strategies for the mathematics classroom. Retrieved November 23, 2007, from
http://www.eduplace.com/state/pdf/author/chard_hmm05.pdf
Steps:
1.
Preteach key math vocabulary. Math
vocabulary provides students with the language tools to grasp abstract
mathematical concepts and to explain their own reasoning. Therefore, do not wait to teach that
vocabulary only at ‘point of use.’
Instead, preview relevant math vocabulary as a regular part of the
‘background’ information that students receive in preparation to learn new math
concepts or operations.
2.
Model the relevant vocabulary when new concepts are taught. Strengthen
students’ grasp of new vocabulary by reviewing a number of math problems with
the class, each time consistently and explicitly modeling the use of
appropriate vocabulary to describe the concepts being taught.
Have
students engage in cooperative learning or individual practice activities in
which they too must successfully use the new vocabulary—while the teacher
provides targeted support to students as needed.
3.
Ensure that students learn standard, widely accepted labels for common math
terms and operations and that they use them consistently to describe their math
problem-solving efforts.
Improving
Performance Through a 4-Step Problem-Solving Approach (Pólya, 1957; Williams, 2003)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Description: Students can consistently
perform better on applied math problems if they follow an efficient 4-step plan
of understanding the problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and
looking back.
Materials: 4-step plan – Understand the
problem, Devise a plan, Carry out the plan, Look back
References: Pólya, G. (1957). How to
solve it (2nd ed.). Princeton University Press: Princeton, N.J. Williams, K. M.
(2003). Writing about the problem solving process to improve problem-solving
performance. Mathematics Teacher, 96(3), 185-187.
Steps:
1.
UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM. To fully grasp the problem, the student may restate the
problem in his or her own words, note key information, and identify missing
information.
2.
DEVISE A PLAN. In mapping out a
strategy to solve the problem, the student may make a table, draw a diagram, or
translate the verbal problem into an equation.
3.
CARRY OUT THE PLAN. The student implements the steps in the plan, showing work
and checking work for each step.
4.
LOOK BACK. The student checks the results. If the answer is written as an
equation, the student puts the results in words and checks whether the answer
addresses the question posed in the original word problem.
Using
Question-Answer Relationships (QARs) to Interpret Math Graphics
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Description: Struggling learners in math
often misread or misinterpret math graphics.
One instructional strategy is to have them apply reading
comprehension. Teachers use a 4-step
instructional sequence to teach students to use Question-Answer Relationships
(QARs) to better interpret math graphics.
Teachers
need an instructional strategy to encourage students to be more savvy
interpreters of graphics in applied math problems. One idea is to have them
apply a reading comprehension strategy, Question-Answer Relationships (QARs) as
a tool for analyzing math graphics. The four QAR question types (Raphael, 1982,
1986) are as follows:
Materials:
·
Examples
of different types of graphics.
·
Series
of data questions and correct answers.
·
Set
of 4 index cards with titles and descriptions of each of the 4 QAR questions
for each student: Right There, Think and Search, Author and You, On My Own.
(TMESAVING TIP: Students can create their own copies of these QAR review cards
as an in-class activity.)
·
A
laminated reference card with 6 steps to follow whenever they attempt to solve
an applied problem that includes a math graphic:
References:
Mesmer,
H.A.E., & Hutchins, E.J. (2002). Using QARs with charts and graphs. The
Reading Teacher, 56, 21–27.
Raphael,
T. (1982). Question-answering strategies for children. The Reading Teacher, 36,
186-190.
Raphael,
T. (1986). Teaching question answer relationships, revisited. The Reading
Teacher, 39, 516-522.
Steps
Teachers
use a 4-step instructional sequence to teach students to use Question-Answer
Relationships (QARs) to better interpret math graphics:
- Distinguishing
Among Different Kinds of Graphics
Students are first taught to differentiate between five common types of
math graphics: table (grid with information contained in cells), chart
(boxes with possible connecting lines or arrows), picture (figure with
labels), line graph, bar graph.
Students note significant differences between the various types of
graphics, while the teacher records those observations on a wall chart.
Next students are shown examples of graphics and directed to identify the
general graphic type (table, chart, picture, line graph, bar graph) that
each sample represents.
As homework, students are assigned to go on a 'graphics hunt', locating
graphics in magazines and newspapers, labeling them, and bringing them to
class to review.
- Interpreting
Information in Graphics
Over
several instructional sessions, students learn to interpret information
contained in various types of math graphics. For these activities, students are
paired off, with stronger students matched with less strong ones.
The
teacher sets aside a separate session to introduce each of the graphics
categories. The presentation sequence is ordered so that students begin with
examples of the most concrete graphics and move toward the more abstract. The
graphics sequence in order of increasing difficulty is: Pictures > tables
> bar graphs > charts > line graphs.
At
each session, student pairs examine examples of graphics from the category
being explored that day and discuss questions such as: "What information
does this graphic present? What are strengths of this type of graphic for
presenting data? What are possible weaknesses?" Student pairs record their
findings and share them with the large group at the end of the session.
3.
Linking
the Use of Question-Answer Relations (QARs) to Graphics
In
advance of this lesson, the teacher prepares a series of data questions and
correct answers. Each question and answer is paired with a math graphic that
contains information essential for finding the answer.
At
the start of the lesson, students are each given a set of 4 index cards with
titles and descriptions of each of the 4 QAR questions: RIGHT THERE, THINK AND
SEARCH, AUTHOR AND YOU, ON MY OWN. (TMESAVING TIP: Students can create their
own copies of these QAR review cards as an in-class activity.)
Working
first in small groups and then individually, students read each
teacher-prepared question, study the matching graphic, and 'verify' the
provided answer as correct. They then identify the type of question being posed
in that applied problem, using their QAR index cards as a reference.
4.
Using
Question-Answer Relationships (QARs) Independently to Interpret Math Graphics
Students
are now ready to use the QAR strategy independently to interpret graphics. They
are given a laminated card as a reference with 6 steps to follow whenever they
attempt to solve an applied problem that includes a math graphic:
Students
are strongly encouraged NOT to read the answer choices offered on a
multiple-choice item until they have first derived their own answer-to prevent
those choices from short-circuiting their inquiry.
References
Mesmer,
H.A.E., & Hutchins, E.J. (2002). Using QARs with charts and graphs. The Reading Teacher, 56, 21-27.
Raphael,
T. (1982). Question-answering strategies for children. The Reading Teacher, 36,
186-190.
Raphael,
T. (1986). Teaching question answer relationships, revisited. The Reading Teacher, 39, 516-522.
Boost
Fluency Through Explicit Time-Drills
(Rhymer, Skinner, Jackson, McNeill, Smith & Jackson,
2002; Skinner, Pappas & Davis, 2005; Woodward, 2006)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Explicit
time-drills are a method to boost students’ rate of responding on math-fact
worksheets.
The
teacher hands out the worksheet. Students are told that they will have 3
minutes to work on problems on the sheet. The teacher starts the stop watch and
tells the students to start work. At the end of the first minute in the
3-minute span, the teacher ‘calls time’, stops the stopwatch, and tells the
students to underline the last number written and to put their pencils in the
air. Then students are told to resume work and the teacher restarts the
stopwatch. This process is repeated at the end of minutes 2 and 3. At the
conclusion of the 3 minutes, the teacher collects the student worksheets. TIPS:
Explicit time-drills work best on ‘simple’ math facts requiring few computation
steps. They are less effective on more complex math facts. Also, a less
intrusive and more flexible version of this intervention is to use time-prompts
while students are working independently on math facts to speed their rate of
responding. For example, at the end of every minute of seatwork, the teacher
can call the time and have students draw a line under the item that they are
working on when that minute expires.
References
Rhymer,
K. N., Skinner, C. H., Jackson, S., McNeill, S., Smith, T., & Jackson, B.
(2002). The 1-minute explicit timing intervention: The influence of mathematics
problem difficulty. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 29(4), 305-311.
Skinner,
C. H., Pappas, D. N., & Davis, K. A. (2005). Enhancing academic engagement:
Providing opportunities for responding and influencing students to choose to
respond. Psychology in the Schools, 42, 389-403.
Woodward,
J. (2006). Developing automaticity in multiplication facts integrating strategy
instruction with timed practice drills. Learning Disability Quarterly, 29,
269-289.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Motivate
With ‘Errorless Learning’ Worksheets
(Caron, 2007)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Reluctant
students can be motivated to practice math number problems to build
computational fluency when given worksheets that include an answer key (number
problems with correct answers) displayed at the top of the page.
In
this version of an ‘errorless learning’ approach, the student is directed to
complete math facts as quickly as possible. If the student comes to a number
problem that he or she cannot solve, the student is encouraged to locate the
problem and its correct answer in the key at the top of the page and write it
in. Such speed drills build computational fluency while promoting students’
ability to visualize and to use a mental number line. TIP: Consider turning
this activity into a ‘speed drill’. The student is given a kitchen timer and
instructed to set the timer for a predetermined span of time (e.g., 2 minutes)
for each drill. The student completes as many problems as possible before the
timer rings. The student then graphs the number of problems correctly computed
each day on a time-series graph, attempting to better his or her previous
score.
References
Caron,
T. A. (2007). Learning multiplication the easy way. The Clearing House, 80,
278-282.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Two
Ideas to Jump-Start Active Academic Responding
(Skinner, Pappas & Davis, 2005)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Research
shows that when teachers use specific techniques to motivate their classes to
engage in higher rates of active and accurate academic responding, student
learning rates are likely to go up.
Here
are two ideas to accomplish increased academic responding on math tasks. First,
break longer assignments into shorter assignments with performance feedback
given after each shorter ‘chunk’ (e.g., break a 20-minute math computation
worksheet task into 3 seven-minute assignments). Breaking longer assignments
into briefer segments also allows the teacher to praise struggling students
more frequently for work completion and effort, providing an additional
‘natural’ reinforcer. Second, allow students to respond to easier practice
items orally rather than in written form to speed up the rate of correct
responses.
References
Skinner,
C. H., Pappas, D. N., & Davis, K. A. (2005). Enhancing academic engagement:
Providing opportunities for responding and influencing students to choose to
respond. Psychology in the Schools, 42, 389-403.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Cover-Copy-Compare
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Students
who can be trusted to work independently and need extra drill and practice with
math computational problems, spelling, or vocabulary words will benefit from
Cover-Copy-Compare.
Preparing Cover-Copy-Compare Worksheets:
The teacher prepares worksheets for the student to use independently:
Using Cover-Copy-Compare Worksheets for
Student Review:
When first introducing Cover-Copy-Compare worksheets to the student, the
teacher gives the student an index card. The student is directed to look at
each correct item (e.g., correctly spelled word, computation problem with
solution) on the left side of the page.
Promote Mastery of Math Facts Through Incremental Rehearsal
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org.
Incremental
rehearsal builds student fluency in basic math facts ('arithmetic
combinations') by pairing unknown computation items with a steadily increasing collection
of known items. This intervention makes use of concentrated practice to promote
fluency and guarantees that the student will experience a high rate of success.
Materials
Steps
to Implementing This Intervention
In
preparation for this intervention:
- The
tutor first writes down on an index card in ink each math fact that a
student is expected to master-but without the answer. NOTE: Educators can
use the A-Plus Math Flashcard Creator, a free on-line application, to make
and print flashcards in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division. The web address for the flashcard creator is: http://www.aplusmath.com/Flashcards/Flashcard_Creator.html
- The
tutor reviews the collection of math-fact cards with the student. Any of
the math facts that the student can orally answer correctly within two
seconds are considered to be known problems and are separated into one
pile. Math facts that the student cannot yet answer correctly within two
seconds are considered 'unknown' and collected in a second pile -- the
'unknown facts' deck.
- The
tutor next randomly selects 9 cards from the pile of known math facts and
sets this subset of cards aside as the 'known facts' deck. The rest of the
pile of cards containing known math facts is put away ('discard deck'),
not to be used further in this intervention.
During
each day of the intervention:
The
tutor follows an incremental-rehearsal sequence each day when working with the
student:
- First,
the tutor takes a single card from the 'unknown facts' deck. The tutor
reads the math fact on the card aloud, provides the answer, and prompts
the student to read off and answer the same unknown problem.
- Next
the tutor takes one math fact from the 'known facts' deck and pairs it
with the unknown problem. When shown the two problems in sequence, the
student is asked during the presentation of each math fact to read off the
problem and answer it. The student is judged to be successful on a problem
if he or she orally provides the correct answer to that problem within 2
seconds. If the student commits an error on any card or hesitates for
longer than two seconds, the tutor reads the math fact on the card aloud,
gives the answer, then prompts the student to read off the same unknown
problem and provide the answer. This review sequence continues until the
student answers all cards within two seconds without errors.
- The
tutor then repeats the sequence--taking yet another problem from the
'known facts' deck to add to the expanding collection of math facts being
reviewed ('review deck'). Each time, the tutor prompts the student to read
off and answer the whole series of math facts in the review deck, beginning
with the unknown fact and then moving through the growing series of known
facts that follow it.
- When
the review deck has expanded to include one 'unknown' math fact followed
by nine 'known' math facts (a ratio of 90 percent 'known' material to 10
percent 'unknown' material), the last 'known' math fact that was added to
the student's review deck is discarded (put away with the 'discard deck').
The previously 'unknown' math fact that the student has just successfully
practiced in multiple trials is now treated as a 'known' math fact and is
included as the first item in the nine-card 'known facts' deck for future
drills.
- The
student is then presented with a new math fact to answer, taken from the
'unknown facts' deck. With each new 'unknown' math fact, the review
sequence is again repeated as described above until the 'unknown' math
fact is grouped incrementally with nine math facts from the 'known facts'
deck-and on and on.
Daily
review sessions are discontinued either when time runs out or when the student
answers an 'unknown' math fact incorrectly three times.
References
Burns,
M. K. (2005). Using incremental rehearsal to increase fluency of single-digit
multiplication facts with children identified as learning disabled in
mathematics computation. Education
and Treatment of Children, 28, 237-249.
Increase
Accuracy by Intermixing Easy and Challenging Computation Problems
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org.
Teachers
can improve accuracy and positively influence the attitude of students when
completing math-fact worksheets by intermixing 'easy' problems among the
'challenging' problems. Research shows that students are more motivated to
complete computation worksheets when they contain some very easy problems
interspersed among the more challenging items.
Materials
Steps
to Implementing This Intervention
- The
teacher first identifies one or more 'challenging' problem-types that are
matched to the student's current math-computation abilities (e.g.,
multiplying a 2-digit number by a 2-digit number with regrouping).
- The
teacher next identifies an 'easy' problem-type that the students can
complete very quickly (e.g., adding or subtracting two 1-digit numbers).
- The
teacher then creates a a series of student math computation worksheets
with 'easy' computation problems interspersed at a fixed rate among the
'challenging' problems. (NOTE: Instructions are included below for creating interspersal
worksheets using a free online application from
www.interventioncentral.org.)
Directions
for On-Line Creation of Worksheets With a Mix of Easy and Challenging
Computation Problems ('Interspersal Worksheets')
By
following the directions below, teachers can use a free on-line Math Worksheet
Generator to create computation worksheets with easy problems interspersed
among more challenging ones:
- The
teacher goes to the following URL for the Math Worksheet Generator: http://www.interventioncentral.org/htmdocs/tools/mathprobe/allmult.php
- Displayed
on that Math Worksheet Generator web page is a series of math computation
goals for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Teachers
can select up to five different problem types to appear on a student
worksheet. Each problem type is selected by clicking on the checkbox next
to it.
- It
is simple to create a worksheet with a 1:1 ratio of challenging and easy
problems (that is, with an easy problem following every challenging
problem). First, the teacher clicks the checkbox next to an 'easy' problem
type that the student can compute very quickly (e.g., adding or
subtracting two 1-digit numbers). Next the teacher selects a 'challenging'
problem type that is instructionally appropriate for the student (e.g.,
multiplying a 2-digit number by a 2-digit number with regrouping). Then
the teacher clicks the 'Multiple Skill Computation Probe' button. The
computer program will then automatically create a student computation
worksheet and teacher answer key with alternating easy and challenging
problems.
- It
is also convenient to create a worksheet with a higher (e.g., 2:1, 3:1, or
4:1) ratio of challenging problems to easy problems. The teacher first
clicks the checkbox next to an 'easy' problem type that the student can
compute very quickly (e.g., adding or subtracting two 1-digit numbers).
The teacher then selects up to four different challenging problem types
that are instructionally appropriate to the student. Depending on the
number of challenging problem types selected, when the teacher clicks the
'Multiple Skill Computation Probe' button, the computer program will
create a student computation worksheet and teacher answer key that contain
2 (or 3 or 4) challenging problems for every easy problem.
Because
the computer program generates new worksheets each time it is used, the teacher
can enter the desired settings and -in one sitting-- create and print off
enough worksheets and answer keys to support a six- or eight-week intervention.
References
Hawkins,
J., Skinner, C. H., & Oliver, R. (2005). The effects of task demands and
additive interspersal ratios on fifth-grade students' mathematics accuracy. School Psychology Review, 34,
543-555.
Increase
Accuracy and Productivity Rates Via Self-Monitoring and Performance Feedback
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org.
Students
can improve both their accuracy and fluency on math computation worksheets by
independently self-monitoring their computation speed, charting their daily
progress, and earning rewards for improved performance.
Materials
Steps
to Implementing This Intervention
In
preparation for this intervention:
At
the start of the intervention, the teacher
meets with the student. The teacher shows the student a sample math computation
worksheet and answer key. The teacher tells the student that the student will
have the opportunity to complete similar math worksheets as time drills and
chart the results. The student is told that he or she will win a reward on any
day when the student's number of correctly computed digits on the worksheet
exceeds that of the previous day.
During
each day of the intervention:
- The
student is given one of the math computation worksheets previously created
by the teacher, along with an answer key. The student first consults his
or her progress-monitoring chart and notes the most recent charted computation
fluency score previously posted. The student is encouraged to try to
exceed that score.
- When
the intervention session starts, the student is given a pre-selected
amount of time (e.g., 5 minutes) to complete as many problems on the
computation worksheet as possible. The student sets a timer for the
allocated time and works on the computation sheet until the timer rings.
- The
student then uses the answer key to check his or her work, giving credit
for each correct digit in an answer. (A 'correct digits' is defined as a
digit of the correct value that appears in the correct place-value
location in an answer. In this scoring method, students can get partial
credit even if some of the digits in an answer are correct and some are
incorrect.).
- The
student plots his or her computational fluency score on the
progress-monitoring chart and writes the current date at the bottom of the
chart below the plotted data point. The student is allowed to select a
choice from the reward menu if he or she exceeds the most recent,
previously posted fluency score.
References
Bennett,
K., & Cavanaugh, R. A. (1998). Effects of immediate self-correction,
delayed self-correction, and no correction on the acquisition and maintenance
of multiplication facts by a fourth-grade student with learning disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior
Analysis, 31, 303-306.
Shimabukuro,
S. M., Prater, M. A., Jenkins, A., & Edelen-Smith, P. (1999). The effects
of self-monitoring of academic performance on students with learning
disabilities and ADD/ADHD.Education and Treatment of Children, 22,
397-414.
Consolidate
Student Learning During Lecture Through the Peer-Guided Pause
(Hawkins, & Brady, 1994)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
During
large-group math lectures, teachers can help students to retain more
instructional content by incorporating brief Peer Guided Pause sessions into
lectures.
Students
are trained to work in pairs. At one or more appropriate review points in a
lecture period, the instructor directs students to pair up to work together for
4 minutes. During each Peer Guided Pause, students are given a worksheet that
contains one or more correctly completed word or number problems illustrating
the math concept(s) covered in the lecture. The sheet also contains several additional,
similar problems that pairs of students work cooperatively to complete, along
with an answer key. Student pairs are reminded to (a) monitor their
understanding of the lesson concepts; (b) review the correctly math model
problem; (c) work cooperatively on the additional problems, and (d) check their
answers. The teacher can direct student pairs to write their names on the
practice sheets and collect them as a convenient way to monitor student
understanding.
References
Hawkins,
J., & Brady, M. P. (1994). The effects of independent and peer guided practice
during instructional pauses on the academic performance of students with mild
handicaps. Education & Treatment of Children, 17 (1), 1-28.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Increase
Student Engagement and Improve Group Behaviors With Response Cards
(Armendariz & Umbreit, 1999; Lambert, Cartledge, Heward
& Lo, 2006)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org.
Response
cards can increase student active engagement in group math activities while
reducing disruptive behavior.
In
the group-response technique, all students in the classroom are supplied with
an erasable tablet (‘response card’), such as a chalk slate or laminated white
board with erasable marker. The teacher instructs at a brisk pace. The
instructor first poses a question to the class. Students are given sufficient
wait time for each to write a response on his or her response card. The teacher
then directs students to present their cards. If most or all of the class has
the correct answer, the teacher praises the group. If more than one quarter of the
students records an incorrect answer on their cards, however, the teacher uses
guided questions and demonstration to steer students to the correct answer.
References
Armendariz,
F., & Umbreit, J. (1999). Using active responding to reduce disruptive
behavior in a general education classroom. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions,
1(3), 152-158.
Lambert,
M. C., Cartledge, G., Heward, W. L., & Lo, Y. (2006). Effects of response
cards on disruptive behavior and academic responding during math lessons by
fourth-grade urban students. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 8(2),
88-99.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Maintain
a Supportive Atmosphere for Classroom “Math Talk”
(Cooke & Adams, 1998)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Teachers
can promote greater student ‘risk-taking’ in mathematics learning when they
cultivate a positive classroom atmosphere for math discussions while preventing
peers from putting each other down.
The
teacher models behavioral expectations for open, interactive discussions,
praises students for their class participation and creative attempts at problem-solving,
and regularly points out that incorrect answers and misunderstandings should be
celebrated—as they often lead to breakthroughs in learning. The teacher uses
open-ended comments (e.g., “What led you to that answer?”) as tools to draw out
students and encourage them to explore and apply math concepts in group
discussion. Students are also encouraged in a supportive manner to evaluate
each other’s reasoning. However, the teacher intervenes immediately to prevent
negative student comments or ‘put-downs’ about peers. As with any problem
classroom behavior, a first offense requires that the student meet privately
with the instructor to discuss teacher expectations for positive classroom
behavior. If the student continues to put down peers, the teacher imposes
appropriate disciplinary consequences.
References
Cooke,
L B. & Adams, V. M. (1998). Encouraging "math talk" in the
classroom. Middle School Journal, 29(5), 35-40.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Support
Students Through a Wrap-Around Instruction Plan
(Montague, 1997; Montague, Warger & Morgan, 2000)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org.
When
teachers instruct students in more complex math cognitive strategies, they must
support struggling learners with a ‘wrap-around’ instructional plan.
That
plan incorporates several elements: (a) Assessment of the student’s
problem-solving skills. The instructor first verifies that the student has the
necessary academic competencies to learn higher-level math content, including
reading and writing skills, knowledge of basic math operations, and grasp of required
math vocabulary. (b) Explicit instruction. The teacher presents new math
content in structured, highly organized lessons. The instructor also uses
teaching tools such as Guided Practice (moving students from known material to
new concepts through a thoughtful series of teacher questions) and
‘overlearning’ (teaching and practicing a skill with the class to the point at
which students develop automatic recall and control of it). (c) Process
modeling. The teacher adopts a ‘think aloud’ approach, or process modeling, to
verbally reveal his or her cognitive process to the class while using a
cognitive strategy to solve a math problem. In turn, students are encouraged to
think aloud when applying the same strategy—first as part of a whole-class or
cooperative learning group, then independently. The teacher observes students
during process modeling to verify that they are correctly applying the
cognitive strategy. (d) Performance feedback. Students get regular performance
feedback about their level of mastery in learning the cognitive strategy. That
feedback can take many forms, including curriculum-based measurement, timely
corrective feedback, specific praise and encouragement, grades, and brief
teacher conferences. (e) Review of mastered skills or material. Once the
student has mastered a cognitive strategy, the teacher structures future class
lessons or independent work to give the student periodic opportunities to use
and maintain the strategy. The teacher also provides occasional brief ‘booster
sessions’, reteaching steps of the cognitive strategy to improve student
retention.
References
Montague,
M. (1997). Cognitive strategy instruction in mathematics for students with
learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 30, 164-177.
Montague,
M., Warger, C., & Morgan, T. H. (2000). Solve it! Strategy instruction to
improve mathematical problem solving.. Learning Disabilities Research &
Practice, 15, 110-116.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Unlock
the Thoughts of Reluctant Students Through Class Journaling (Baxter,
Woodward & Olson, 2005)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org.
Students
can effectively clarify their knowledge of math concepts and problem-solving
strategies through regular use of class ‘math journals’.
Journaling
is a valuable channel of communication about math issues for students who are
unsure of their skills and reluctant to contribute orally in class. At the
start of the year, the teacher introduces the journaling assignment, telling
students that they will be asked to write and submit responses at least weekly
to teacher-posed questions. At first, the teacher presents ‘safe’ questions
that tap into the students’ opinions and attitudes about mathematics (e.g.,
‘How important do you think it is nowadays for cashiers in fast-food
restaurants to be able to calculate in their head the amount of change to give
a customer?”). As students become comfortable with the journaling activity, the
teacher starts to pose questions about the students’ own mathematical thinking
relating to specific assignments. Students are encouraged to use numerals,
mathematical symbols, and diagrams in their journal entries to enhance their
explanations. The teacher provides brief written comments on individual student
entries, as well as periodic oral feedback and encouragement to the entire
class on the general quality and content of class journal responses. Regular
math journaling can prod students to move beyond simple ‘rote’ mastery of the
steps for completing various math problems toward a deeper grasp of the math
concepts that underlie and explain a particular problem-solving approach.
Teachers will find that journal entries are a concrete method for monitoring
student understanding of more abstract math concepts. To promote the quality of
journal entries, the teacher might also assign them an effort grade that will
be calculated into quarterly math report card grades.
References
Baxter,
J. A., Woodward, J., & Olson, D. (2005). Writing in mathematics: An
alternative form of communication for academically low-achieving students.
Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 20(2), 119–135.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Math
Problem-Solving: Help Students Avoid Errors with the “Individualized
Self-Correction Checklist” (Zrebiec
Uberti, Mastropieri & Scruggs, 2004)
Description: Help students avoid errors with the
‘Individualized Self-Correction Checklist.’
Students can improve their accuracy on particular types of word and
number problems by using an ‘individualized self-instruction checklist’ that
reminds them to pay attention to their own specific error patterns.
Materials: Samples of student’s typical
errors
Reference: Zrebiec Uberti, H., Mastropieri, M. A., &
Scruggs, T. E. (2004). Check it off: Individualizing a math algorithm for
students with disabilities via self-monitoring checklists. Intervention in
School and Clinic, 39, 269-275.
Steps:
1.
Teacher meets with the student to create the ‘individualized self-correction
checklist.’ Together they analyze common
error patterns that the student tends to commit on a particular problem type
(e.g., ‘On addition problems that require carrying, I don’t always remember to
carry the number from the previously added column.’).
2.
For each type of error identified, the student and teacher together describe
the appropriate step to take to prevent the error from occurring (e.g., ‘When
adding each column, make sure to carry numbers when needed.’).
3.
These self-check items are compiled into a single checklist. Students are then
encouraged to use their individualized self-instruction checklist whenever they
work independently on their number or word problems.
NOTE:
As older students become proficient in creating and using these individualized
error checklists, they can begin to analyze their own math errors and to make
their checklists independently whenever they encounter new problem types.
Memorize
a Story Grammar Checklist
(Reid & Lienemann, 2006)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org
Students
write lengthier stories that include greater detail when they use a memorized
strategy to judge their writing-in-progress.
These
young writers are taught a simple mnemonic device with 7 elements: ‘WWW,
What=2, How = 2’. This mnemonic translates into a story grammar checklist: WHO
the main character is; WHERE the story takes place; WHEN the story occurs; WHAT
the main character(s) do or plan to do; WHAT happens next; HOW the story
concludes; and HOW the character(s) feel about their experiences. Students are
taught this strategy through teacher demonstration, discussion, teacher
modeling; and student use of the strategy with gradually fading teacher
support. When students use the ‘WWW, What=2, How = 2’ tactic independently,
they may still need occasional prompting to use it in their writing. NOTE:
Teachers can apply this intervention idea to any genre of writing (e.g.,
persuasive essay), distilling its essential elements into a similar short,
easily memorized checklist to teach to students.
References
Reid,
R. & Lienemann, T.O. (2006). Self-regulated strategy development for written
expression with students with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Exceptional Children, 73, 53-68.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Essentials
of Good Teaching Benefit Struggling Writers
(Gersten, Baker, & Edwards,1999)
School-Based
Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org.
Teachers
are most successful in reaching students with writing delays when their
instruction emphasizes the full writing process, provides strategy sheets,
offers lots of models of good writing, and gives students timely editorial
feedback.
Good
instructors build their written expression lessons around the 3 stages of
writing –planning, writing, and revision— and make those stages clear and
explicit. Skilled instructors also provide students with ‘think sheets’ that
outline step-by-step strategies for tackle the different phases of a writing
assignment (e.g., taking concise notes from research material; building an
outline; proofreading a draft). Students become stronger writers when exposed
to different kinds of expressive text, such as persuasive, narrative, and
expository writing. Teachers can make students more confident and
self-sufficient as writers when they give them access to plentiful examples of
good prose models that the student can review when completing a writing
assignment. Finally, strong writing teachers provide supportive and timely
feedback to students about their writing. When teachers or classmates offer
writing feedback to the student, they are honest but also maintain an
encouraging tone.
References
Gersten,
R., Baker, S., & Edwards, L. (1999). Teaching expressive writing to
students with learning disabilities: A meta-analysis. New York: National Center
for Learning Disabilities.
Copyright
©2008 Jim Wright
Stimulate Interest With an Autobiography Assignment (Bos & Vaughn, 2002)
School-Based Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org.
Assigning
the class to write their own autobiographies can motivate hard-to-reach
students who seem uninterested in most writing assignments.
Have students read a series of autobiographies of people who
interest them. Discuss these biographies with the class. Then assign students
to write their own autobiographies. (With the class, create a short
questionnaire that students can use to interview their parents and other family
members to collect information about their past.) Allow students to read their
finished autobiographies for the class.
References
Bos, C.S. & Vaughn, S. (2002). Strategies for teaching
students with learning and behavior problems. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Copyright ©2008 Jim Wright
Have Students Write Every Day (Graham, Harris & Larsen, 2001)
School-Based Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org.
Short daily writing assignments can build student writing fluency
and make writing a more motivating activity.
For struggling writers, formal writing can feel much like a
foreign language, with its own set of obscure grammatical rules and
intimidating vocabulary. Just as people learn another language more quickly and
gain confidence when they use it frequently, however, poor writers gradually
develop into better writers when they are prompted to write daily--and receive
rapid feedback and encouragement about that writing. The teacher can encourage
daily writing by giving short writing assignments, allowing time for students
to journal about their learning activities, requiring that they correspond
daily with pen pals via email, or even posting a question on the board as a
bell-ringer activity that students can respond to in writing for extra credit.
Short daily writing tasks have the potential to lower students’ aversion to
writing and boost their confidence in using the written word.
References
Graham, S., Harris, K. R., & Larsen, L. (2001). Prevention and
intervention of writing difficulties for students with learning disabilities.
Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 16, 74-84.
Copyright ©2008 Jim Wright
Self-Monitor
and Graph Results to Increase Writing Fluency (Rathvon,
1999)
School-Based Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org.
Students gain motivation to write through daily monitoring and charting
of their own and classwide rates of writing fluency.
At least several times per week, assign your students timed
periods of ‘freewriting’ when they write in their personal journals.
Freewriting periods all the same amount of time each day. After each
freewriting period, direct each student to count up the number of words he or
she has written in the daily journal entry (whether spelled correctly or not).
Next, tell students to record their personal writing-fluency score in their
journal and also chart the score on their own time-series graph for visual
feedback. Then collect the day’s writing-fluency scores of all students in the
class, sum those scores, and chart the results on a large time-series graph
posted at the front of the room. At the start of each week, calculate that
week’s goal of increasing total class words written by taking last week’s score
and increasing by five percent. At the end of each week, review the class score
and praise students if they have shown good effort.
References
Rathvon, N. (1999). Effective school interventions. New York:
Guilford Press.
Copyright ©2008 Jim Wright
Spelling:
Leverage the Power of Memory Through Cover-Copy-Compare (Murphy,
Hern, Williams, & McLaughlin, 1990)
School-Based Intervention Idea from www.interventioncentral.org.
Students increase their spelling knowledge by copying a spelling
word from a correct model and then recopying the same word from memory.
Give students a list of 10-20 spelling words, an index card, and a
blank sheet of paper. For each word on the spelling list, the student (1)
copies the spelling list item onto a sheet of paper, (2) covers the newly
copied word with the index card, (3) writes the spelling word again on the
sheet (spelling it from memory), and (4) uncovers the copied word and checks to
ensure that the word copied from memory is spelled correctly. If that word is
spelled incorrectly, the student repeats the sequence above until the word
copied from memory is spelled correctly--then moves to the next word on the
spelling list.
References
Murphy, J., Hern, C., Williams, R., & McLaughlin, T. (1990).
The effects of the copy, cover, and compare approach in increasing spelling
accuracy with learning disabled students. Contemporary Educational Psychology,
15, 378-386.
Copyright ©2008 Jim Wright
A
Spelling Study Strategy
Helping Students Learn Unknown Spelling Words
Procedures:
This spelling strategy is
intended to help students study unknown spelling words. Students need to be
trained in the study method. Training in the use of the wordstudy strategy
involves (1) modeling: the student watches the teacher model the procedure; (2)
practice with assistance: under the direction of the teacher, the student
practices using the procedure with several different words; and (3)
demonstration of proficiency: if the student is able to successfully apply the
wordstudy strategy to two consecutive words without any assistance, they may
continue independently.
1. Say the word.
2. Write and say the word.
3. Check the word
4. Trace and say the word.
5. Write the word from memory and
check your spelling
If the student misspells the
word in step 5, they need to repeat all the steps.
Spelling Self-Correction Methods
Overview: These strategies
are centered around self-correction techniques requiring students to check and
correct their own work, focusing directly on the task at hand. They are learner
centered, and have been validated and replicated empirically.
Reference:
Goddard, Y.L., & Heron, T.E. (1998, July/Aug). Please teacher, help me
learn to spell better – Teach me self-correction. Teaching Exceptional Children, 38-43.
Letter-by-Letter Proofing
·
Emphasizes the orthography
(sequencing) of letters, and students use common
proofreading marks to check their work.
·
A five-column paper, oriented sideways,
is provided to each student (see Figure 1).
·
1st column – stimulus words written by teacher,
parent, or scribe
·
The
other 4 columns are blank, providing spaces for students to write words from
dictation, proofread, and rewrite.
·
Before
dictation, students fold the Word List column under so that the stimulus words
cannot be seen.
·
As
words are dictated, students write them in the second column (Column 2, Figure 1).
·
After
all words in the spelling list have been dictated and written, students unfold
the Word List column to check each word and to correct misspellings with one of
four proofreading marks (^ = add; O = omit; ~ = reverse letters; and / = wrong
letter) that they have learned and practiced beforehand.
·
Then
they either write corrected words in the third column (Column 3, Figure 1) or
place a checkmark ( ) to signify that the word was spelled correctly on the
initial trial.
·
This
sequence is repeated for the final two columns (4 and 5) until the 15 –20
minute spelling period is over.
·
Figure one shows an example of how this
process is done
·
Words
can be personalized, or adapted to curriculum.
·
Students
can be paired to dictate to each other, or by tape recording.
·
Spelling
lessons take place daily (Monday through Thursday) for the same amount of time
each day (15 – 20 minutes), and tests on Friday.
·
Each
Monday through Thursday students receive a new sheet with the same words in the
Word List column (words may be shuffled).
·
Any
words misspelled on Friday are carried over for the next week.
Whole-Word Proofing
·
This is similar to
Letter-by-Letter Proofing, except that students use a different process that
doesn’t involve proofreading marks.
·
The same five-column format is used,
but each cell in columns 2-5 is divided in half horizontally (see Figure 2) and
students use one column for writing and proofing, as opposed to two columns in
the Letter-by-Letter method.
·
When
the students write the words initially in the second column (column 2, Figure
2), that use the bottom half of the cell, below the dotted line, for that word.
·
When
they unfold the Word List column to check the words, they place a checkmark ( )
in the top half of the cell, above the dotted line, for the words that were
spelled correctly.
·
For
misspelled words, they write the entire word above the misspelled one; no
proofreading marks are used.
·
Again,
this procedure continues throughout the 15–20 minute spelling period.


Source: Graham, S., & Freeman, S. (1986). Strategy training
and teacher- vs. studentcontrolled study conditions: Effects on LD students’
spelling performance. Learning Disability
Quarterly, 9, 15-22.
Written Expression: Defends
This writing strategy is
designed as a composition strategy. It is intended to help students
write a paper defending a position.
Decide
• Decide on an exact
position.
Examine
• Examine the reasons for the
positions.
Form
• Form a list of points that
explain each reason.
Expose
• Expose the position in the
first sentence.
Note
• Note each reason and
supporting points.
Drive
• Drive home the positioning
the last sentence.
Search
• SEARCH for errors and
correct.
·
See if it makes sense
·
Eject incomplete
sentences
·
Ask if it’s convincing
·
Reveal COPS errors & Correct
o
Capitalization
o
Overall
appearance
o
Punctuation
o
Spelling
·
Copy over neatly
·
Have a last look