REACHING AND TEACHING OUR STRUGGLING READERS

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REACHING AND TEACHING OUR STRUGGLING READERS
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GOALS

• To support standards-based instruction across the
  curriculum
• To present methods for reaching and teaching our
  struggling readers
• To focus on comprehension strategies with
  connected text instead of isolated skill
  activities

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• I believe that strong word recognition skills
  are a major component of comprehending a text
  however, they alone dont ensure comprehension.
  If you arent sure of that, pick up a medical
  textbook. You might be able to decode all the
  words, but once finished, might not have any idea
  what the text is saying.
• --Kylene Beers

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Margaret Blevins in Engaging Adolescent
ReadersAdolescent Literacy In Perspective
(January, 2005)

• explains that adolescent learners need time at
  school where the distractions are greatly
  reduced, time when reading and writing are
  supported and socially acceptable. As well, they
  need extensive, diverse reading selections from
  which appropriate materials can be chosen.
  Further, students need browsing time - - time to
  sample the merchandise, so to speak. They can
  accept limited choices as long as they have some
  choice. Teachers must remember that the time
  students take in order to choose a book or
  magazine is not wasted.

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Components necessary to help struggling readers

• time
• choice
• resources
• support
• connections