Reading Recovery |
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What is Reading Recovery® ?
teaching for the lowest-achieving first graders.
- Reading Recovery students receive 30-minute lessons each school day for 12 to 20
weeks from a specially trained teacher.
As soon as students can read and write at grade level and demonstrate that they
can continue to achieve, their lessons are discontinued and new students receive
individual instruction.
What Can Reading Recovery Do For My Child?
A key premise of Reading Recovery is that early intervention in first grade is critical. Research shows that children who fall behind in Grade 1 tend to remain below grade level in later school years.
Early intervention is important because the gap between the lowest and highest performing children is narrow in lower grades but widens later in elementary school.
Numerous studies have examined the effectiveness of Reading Recovery for children with reading difficulties.
Although all children progress during their Reading Recovery lessons, a few do not make the accelerated progress needed to succeed without extra help. These children may be recommended for additional evaluation.
What Happens During Reading Recovery Lessons?
Each lesson consists of:~ re-reading familiar stories
~ working with letters and words using magnetic letters
~ writing a story
~ assembling a cut-up story, and
~ reading a new book.
The teacher teaches, demonstrates problem-solving strategies, and provides just enough support to help the child develop effective reading and writing strategies and work as independently as possible.
Accelerated learning is possible because Reading Recovery teachers base their instruction on carefully documented daily observations of what each child already knows about reading and writing. This is an efficient approach that allows all future instruction to work from the child=s strengths.
There are two possible outcomes after a full series of Reading Recovery lessons, both positive:
1. The child makes accelerated progress and continues to progress thereafter with classroom instruction.
2. Additional evaluation is recommended and further action is initiated to help the child continue making progress. This is a positive outcome because Reading Recovery's diagnostic teaching helps identify children who need more help and provides a documented record of the child's knowledge and strengths as a base for future teaching.
How Does The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board Promote Reading Recovery?
The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board provides excellent reading and writing opportunities for all students in the regular classroom program.
Whenever possible, students who have not progressed as anticipated will be given the opportunity to catch up through participation in the Reading Recovery program.
How Are Students Selected?
The school team uses a set of literacy tasks called "The Observation Survey" to help them identify the lowest achieving six-year-old students in the Grade 1 class.
When these students have developed the skills in reading and writing that will enable them to function independently in their classrooms, they have successfully completed the program.
The Reading Recovery teacher will continue to read with them from time to time to ensure that they maintain their gains.
The small number of children who do not successfully complete the program, and therefore need more specialized support, are recognized early, and a wealth of information about their learning capabilities can be shared with the school team to help with future planning.
How Can I Help My Child Succeed In Reading Recovery?
1. Keep in close contact with the Reading Recovery teacher.
2. Listen to your child read the books he brings home each night.
3. Encourage him as he reassembles the cutup story from that day's lesson.
How Can I Help My Child After The Program Is Completed?
Spend 20-30 minutes each night reading and writing with your child.
Here is a list of some things you can do during this special time:
2. Suggest that your child use the pictures as an aid.
3. Put a note in your child's lunch bag for her to read.
4. Invite your child to write notes to grandparents or friends.
5. Make regular visits to the library.
6. Remember, reading and writing is fun! Enjoy!
8 Ways Parents Can Promote Reading at Home
History Of Reading Recovery
Reading Recovery was developed in New Zealand by Dame Marie Clay, an educator and psychologist. It has been successfully implemented in New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, United States of America, Bermuda and Canada. The program is constantly being refined and evaluated based on over 20 years of ongoing research.
The HSCDSB is implementing Reading Recovery in the 2011-12 school year.
We are proud to be able to offer this valuable early literacy intervention to all students who need it.
More Information
If you would like more information about Reading Recovery, please contact your school principal or Maria Esposito the Superintendent of Education responsible for the program’s implementation:
Phone: 705-945-5602
Special thank you to Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board for sharing this information.
