Reading: Tutoring
8 Steps to Great
After-School Literacy Tutors
Today's
Snack: Have
eight baby carrots, and drink your milk in eight swallows.
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Today's Supplies:
For background
information, get the book,
Tutoring Programs for Struggling Readers: The America Reads
Challenge
edited by Lesley Mandel
Morrow and Deborah Gee Woo
With more than four out of 10 of our nation's
fourth-graders reading below grade level, the need for outside one-on-one
tutors is critical. It can really make a difference for kids of all ability
levels. But for now, let's focus on kids who need extra help, who are enrolled
in an after-school program, or want to start a regular "date" with a literacy
tutor.
Here are the features of a successful tutoring
program, according to research on the nation's most effective programs for
reluctant readers:
1.
Structured lesson planning that focuses on a balanced approach that
includes:
§ reading familiar texts to
build fluency - the more familiar the student is with the text, the easier it is
to read and build confidence;
§ specific word and phonics
studies that build vocabulary and comprehension skill;
§ writing exercises that build
on the reading,
§ and exposure to a wide range
of new materials to stretch the student's reading skills and thinking patterns.
2.
A certified reading specialist who supervises tutors is a big help.
These professionals are well-schooled in the processes of literacy development
and in overcoming problems and obstacles, so they make a great "coach" for a
literacy tutor. A dedicated after-school program could ask for a reading
specialist's help on a volunteer basis, or, if funds are available, pay that
person on contract to supervise the literacy tutoring program.
3.
Ongoing training and feedback for tutors is also helpful from a reading
professional. Many programs offer one-time training, but that's not enough. As
situations or problems come up, it is helpful for the tutor to have a
three-ring binder of anticipatory articles, or the phone number of the "coach"
to talk through solutions.
4.
Consistent and intensive tutoring sessions are optimal. A half-hour to
an hour is a good session length. The tutor's high degree of attendance is
crucial since students need reliability in order to trust. Twice a week is ideal,
though many volunteers can't spare that much time.
5.
Access to high-quality materials; besides always having paper or a
notebook and writing implements, access to interesting books at an appropriate
level of reading challenge is a huge key for students and tutors. The school
librarian or public librarian can be a huge help here in recommending books.
Note that many disadvantaged children do not have library cards because the
parent or guardian doesn't want to risk fines, or the family has moved a lot;
it can be a huge difference-maker if the tutor checks out the books and assumes
the risk.
6.
Some form of ongoing assessment of student progress and also the tutor's
effectiveness can help shape the tutoring sessions to the student's maximum
advantage.
7.
Some form of coordination with classroom instruction is also helpful.
If the tutoring session seems "out of context" or is isolated from the
challenges the student is facing in class, even the best tutoring relationship
will fall short of meeting that student's needs. Communication with the
classroom teacher is a must.
8.
Everybody likes rewards and parties; some form of recognition and/or
reward for both the tutor and the student helps make the shared goal of
improving the student's reading performance more fun and exciting. Maybe an
end-of-semester pizza party? It's important that the cost NOT be borne directly
by the tutor, for tutors of all incomes are to be encouraged to participate.
Perhaps a nonprofit organization or foundation would donate tangible rewards or
a party to encourage the tutoring relationships.
