Remedial Reading Teacher

I thought the whole "No Child Left Behind" initiative basically prohibited schools from having different skill-level classes, especially in elementary schools. So how is it that you only deal with the lowest 20%? Shouldn't all of the students be in the same classes?

Asked by RyGuy almost 13 years ago

Yes, you are correct! All children are in heterogeneous classes in my school, which houses 950 students, Grades K- 4. That being said, my job as an Intervention Teacher is to work with the lowest achievers and try to bring them up to grade level. There aren't any different skill level classes. I only "pull-out" or "push-in" to remediate students. My job is to work with all students if necessary, and more often, to work individually with students who need it the most.

How do you determine the appropriate approach to teaching your remedial students? If they need your services one would assume their homeroom teacher is not able to meet the range of learning levels within the classroom setting. Do you personally assess students or does the homeroom teacher? Also what is the typical class size in a K-4 school

Asked by oscar1049 almost 13 years ago

The skills/strategies that I use are based upon the needs of the students as I am advised by their homeroom teacher and my assessment as well. Once I am apprised of their reading level and writing skills, I use my professional judgment in designing an appropriate remedial program which, oftentimes, includes the use of specific materials requested by the homeroom teacher. The homeroom teacher is generally always teaching on grade level. In spite of a teacher’s competency in delivering understanding to students with a range of learning skills, some children may struggle at times to keep up with the class. The real trick is being able to identify the needy student early so as not to let him/her fall too far behind the class. For this, I start by working together with the teacher by reviewing the student’s assessments from the previous year. Former assessments performed by the classroom teachers give us a baseline of where their weaknesses might lie. The students that I teach often rotate in and out during the course of the year based on need. The best part about my position is that I typically work with only 2-5 students at a time. In contrast to the larger classroom environment, which ranges from about 23 to 30 students, they are much more likely to ask for the "help" they need or to comfortably accept corrective instruction. This is often confidence building as well as knowledge building.

Besides reading to them often, what else can parents do to help their kids develop healthy language skills?

Asked by Kyle almost 13 years ago

Listening and communicating with other children and adults helps a child to understand and use language. Most importantly, parents/or caregivers, must engage in healthy language skills themselves, so that they are modeling for their children at all times. it is also of utmost importance that children are reading each day for enjoyment. The more they read, especially children's classics, the better. Reading, at its best, promotes better speaking as well as writing skills. At the elemementary level, that should entail at least 20 minutes per day, and of course, longer periods the older the child. Curb the tv watching in hours spent watching as well as the programs watched. There is such a variety of tv out there that does not model proper language or language skills. Some tv programs, in fact, encourage rudeness and lack of etiquette which is totally inappropriate. Not what we want our children to emulate. Reading to your child at every age exposes your child to the sounds and rhythm of language. It also helps stimulate the imagination and introduces children to things and places they may not have a chance to learn about otherwise. Children develop language skills by being around other people. So providing them with opportunities to talk with others is key in the development of healthy language skills.

Do you think that overexposure to TV & video games is at all to blame for poor reading skills of grade-schoolers, or is that an old wives' tale?

Asked by Ponderthis almost 13 years ago

No, it certainly isn't myth! Being an advocate in education for decades, I've witnessed the demise of students who have been couch potatoes as well as videophiles. While it is true that children can handle enjoying the pleasures of tv and video "what have yous," many are spending far less time on activities that help develop language skills necessary for reading, speaking, writing, as well as develoing creative and questioning minds. Children need to be outdoors, to exercise, ride their bikes, be exposed to nature. Most importantly, develop social skills by being with other children "live" instead of texting and "being on the computer." Kids learn to speak, read and write by participating in "live"conversations with "live" people or even a pet. This can be initiated in a plethora of ways such as playing "good old fashioned" games like tag or hide-and-seek. Or how about following a set of directions such as in making a recipe with an adult or silbing? Or how about just picking up a good book? So, in answer to your question.....yes! I do believe overexposure to the above really has take its toll in retarding the development of good reading skills.

How does one get a 1st/2nd/3rd/4th grader to read for fun these days? Seems like it's getting harder and harder.

Asked by BloominJudy almost 13 years ago

I like the "good old fashioned" way of reading for fun........go to the school or town library and take out a few fun books as opposed to reading on-line. There is nothing like cozying up to a good book in bed or on the couch, turning the pages and imagining what will transpire next! In the district I am employed, we require students on those grade levels to read "AT LEAST" 20 minutes a night. In fact, our administrators speak schoolwide to the classes at the end of each day, reminding them to do so. Student's parents (or an adult family member) have to initial that they have accomplished this task each night. Students are given the opportunity each week to visit the school library which houses thousands of books on all reading levels. Allowed to take as many as three books, kids are encouraged to pick out any genre of reading material they wish, which indeed, makes for fun reading! Old faithfuls like Judy Bloom and Beverly Cleary books never go out of style for Grades 2 and 3. And then, of course, for real beginner readers, you can never resist Dr. Seuss' assortment! The Mudge books or The Kid Who Ran for President are favorites amongst the 3rd and 4th grades. There are a multitude of great authors of fiction as well as non fiction out there who will capivate the child's interest in reading, hence encouraging a lifelong love of reading.

How do you increase student confidence?

Asked by senoritapage almost 13 years ago

One of my favorite issues as a teacher and student advocate! Increasing student confidence really is such a crucial issue in the early childhood and elementary years. My practice has always been to make the "troubled child" or "lacking in confidence student" feel special about themselves. How I do this is by making the student "my assistant" as soon as I am aware of his/her insecurity. A seasoned teacher can spot this early. The student’s eyes light up with pride and excitement as soon as I "secretly" talk to them about being "picked" as my assistant or special helper. It seems most kids will do anything to be acknowledged as being "the one", the "special one" that was hand picked by the teacher to assist in his/her duties. It can be the simplest thing from handing out papers, to collecting them, to being the line leader or cleaner-upper. Children thrive on being accepted by the teacher and in turn, the other students. This most definitely encourages students to work to their potential, whatever that might be. As confidence grows, so do their grades. Feeling "good" about oneself begins with the formative years. That being said, it is my conviction as a teacher to continue to stay "positive" at all times, difficult as that might be. As the years go by, teachers who practice this or similar techniques are themselves rewarded by the feedback that they receive from their former students who often regard them as their "favorite teacher."

How does what you do differ from what the classroom teacher does in a reading group, in which there is a small group of children homogeniously grouped?

Asked by diane over 11 years ago

Great question! Thanks for asking!

As an intervention teacher, I work with the lowest 20% of class that are struggling readers. That being said, my group is usually as few as 2 or as many as 5. Working in a 45 minute window gives each child the opportunity to have one-on-one remediation according to their DRA (Diagnostic Reading Assessment). The DRA is a prescriptive way of truly assessing what reading level the student is functioning at not only reading-wise but comprehension as well. I am able to administer the test as is our Reading Specialist.

The classroom teacher does not necessarily gear his or her efforts utilizing the DRA as the principal guideline. My job is to bring the student up to grade level using this tool.

The teacher works with a thematic reading series for the grade level, whereas I can a choose from a multitude of short supplementary fiction and non-fiction books.

 

It is extremely rewarding to watch students growth over a 10 month period! It's what makes my job the best!

Not to be rude but I have noticed all but 1 reading teacher where very boring. I remember speech being much more fun (some of them where overly serious and boring too though) why? Also, I assume your awesome so how are you awesome?

Asked by Jamie over 4 years ago

How often is it appropriate for students to be pulled out of their regular classroom on a daily and weekly basis? Can students be pulled out too much causing it to hinder their confidence and, therefore, success?

Asked by Newbie RI Teacher over 11 years ago

i have started a new job as a RR teacher and was shown the classroom. It is large and empty. I would like help figuring what areas to set up in the classroom and what are the big needs there.

Asked by Trish over 11 years ago

What do you think of this rant?


https://rantrampage.com/story-mean-teacher-87263

Asked by Jdjdjdjdjd about 5 years ago