Instructional Principles for Delayed Readers

Instructional Interventions for Delayed Readers

Overview of Instructional Principles

  • Focus on foundational concepts essential for aiding delayed readers.
  • Discuss the logistics and management of remedial reading programs.
  • Emphasize teacher responsibilities in creating effective learning environments.

Principle #1: Begin Early

  • Early intervention is crucial for catching reading difficulties before they evolve into ingrained behaviors.
    • Reading Recovery Program: Targets below-average 1st graders (lowest 20% of the class) to prevent improper reading habits.
    • Preventive Tutoring: Generally consists of one-on-one tutoring sessions.

Principle #2: Benefits of One-to-One Tutoring

  • Advantages of One-to-One Tutoring:
    • Provides undivided attention from the teacher.
    • Allows immediate recognition and feedback on students' confusions.
    • Increases active student response correlated with better achievement rates.
    • Research indicates students receiving one-on-one instruction score significantly higher than those in groups (98% vs. group scores).
    • Positive outcomes in attitudes towards reading were noted as well.

Principle #3: Teacher's Instructional Actions in Group Learning

  • While one-to-one instruction is ideal, many teachers employ small group settings.
    • Small Group Benefits:
    • Facilitates individualized instruction when the group is kept small (3-6 students).
    • Research by Hiebert and Taylor:
      • 85% success rate in one-to-one instruction.
      • 75% for groups of 3, 66% for groups of 6 (low-achieving students).

Principle #4: Independent Work Implications

  • Independent work without supervision can hinder academic progress.
    • Effective independent practice should immediately follow teacher-directed instruction, be at an appropriate level, and be conducted for short periods, interspersed with teacher-led activities.
  • Data shows low-achieving students benefit from higher teacher-directed instruction percentages (72% vs. 49% for average readers).

Principle #5: Opportunities for Collaborative Learning

  • Group instruction can yield positive results when collaborative learning is used.
    • Encourages students to engage, discuss, and problem-solve in pairs or small groups.
    • Cross-age collaborations are beneficial as well.

Principle #6: Consider Time on Task

  • Engagement rates:
    • 84% during teacher-led vs. 70% during independent tasks (Rosenshine, 1980).
  • Engaged time is a key determinant of learning success.

Principle #7: Let the Students Read

  • It’s vital to let students practice reading skills in real contexts rather than focusing solely on skill acquisition.
    • Reading time is directly correlated with success in reading.
    • Studies show students benefit more from direct reading experiences than mere skills instruction.

Principle #8: Encourage Outside Reading

  • High correlation between free-time reading and growth in reading ability.
    • Strategies to promote outside reading:
    • Create engaging theme bags with books and related activities for students to take home.

Principle #9: Incorporate High-Quality Literature into the Classroom

  • Struggling readers should be exposed to high-quality literature through:
    • Read-aloud sessions that build vocabulary and comprehension.
    • Diverse genres (fiction, non-fiction)
    • Motivating and engaging material that captures interest.

Principle #10: Model Effective Reading Behaviors

  • Use demonstration and think-aloud strategies to show how readers cope with new words and comprehend texts effectively.

Principle #11: Stimulate Motivation and Engagement

  • Motivation can be cultivated through identifiable success expectations and the perceived value of tasks.
    • Differences in attributions for success (ability) and failure (luck/lack of ability) impact student motivation.
    • Plans to enhance motivation:
    • Create valuable experiences and use positive reinforcement that leads to intrinsic motivation.

Principle #12: Enlist Parent Involvement

  • Suggestions for parental involvement include:
    • Reading aloud to children regularly.
    • Encouraging daily reading sessions for oral practice.

Principle #13: Let Research Guide Your Instruction

  • Effective reading instruction should be informed by rigorous research rather than anecdotal evidence.
    • Focus on proven strategies to ensure the highest instructional quality for students in remedial reading programs.