Hi Carolyn, I sympathize with your dilemma. There are some things you can do to help your 3rd grade student. First, I recommend downloading for free the DIBELS (Dynamic test of Basic Early literacy skills) test for free from the DIBELS web site. Google DIBELS> This is a controversial test, but as a dip stick --to help you get reliable data on what level the student is reading at-- it's very helpful. The test is a screening tool that can also be used to measure growth. If I were you, I'd give the K, 1 and 2 level tests. The K test is a test of phonemic awareness and phonics skills. This test will help you get a better glimpse into the student's weakness. It can also be helpful to show parents. I would bother doing the comprehension section as it is listed. But the rest is very good. DIBELS also has free progress monitoring stories. You could use the independent level stories to practice from. I'd also recommend making some modifications to how you teach. I am a Direct Instruction Consultant. And though I typically use DI materials, I have found great success with these techniques regardless of what I am teaching. Find some reading material that is at this student's independent level. (95% accuracy) Have her read out loud to you. Every time she makes an error, immediately provide a correction. And by correction, I mean tell the word. This is really a bottom up approach. A meaning based correction, for a student with dyslexia, will only reinforce that reading is a guessing game. There are clear rules to our language. And it's our job to take the mystery out of decoding . It's not an easy job. The english language has only 40 sounds that are used in very consistent and predictable ways. When correcting, The word "no" should not be used. Just let her know that you are going to help her when she has trouble. As soon as the error occurs, immediately tell her the misread word. If it is decodable, model sounding it out. Then have her sound it out and repeat the word. If it is not decodable, she should spell the word aloud and then say it again. She should always start the sentence over after every error. I also highly recommend that she follows along with her finger. A reader like this needs a clear focus to promote accuracy. I have spent 13 years of my career working with low readers. These techniques work. Treat self corrections as errors. She is probably beginning to over rely on guessing. So when she self corrects, compliment her for getting the word right. But then have her start the sentence again. This will help her with comprehension while also improving accuracy and fluency. I hope these tips help! Good luck. Amy > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected]> Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:43:07 -0400> Subject: [MOSAIC] Helping a third grade struggling reader> > > > > Hello!> > I was wondering if you can help me. I have a 3rd grade student whom I am currently servicing in a reading group. She has been with me for three years. She has been brought up for testing, but the parents will not allow us to test or classify her. I feel like I have exhausted my repertoire of strategies to suit her needs. She is reading approximately a year below her peers, and has a particularly hard time with decoding and spelling. She shows many of the signs of dyslexia. Can anybody give me any suggestions for materials or strategies I can try? The materials need to be relatively cheap b/c I will most likely be purchasing them out of my own pocket. Thus far, I have tried all the Reading Recovery and Pat Cunningham decoding strategies, as well as some of Bear's materials and various other eclectic resources. I have looked at Susan Barton's stuff (too expensive) Word Workout ( too high), Wilson ( too expensive), etc. (You see my dilemma!) Thank you for your feedback! > > Carolyn> > > > > > _________________________________________________________________> Want to do more with Windows Live? Learn “10 hidden secrets” from Jamie.> http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!550F681DAD532637!5295.entry?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_domore_092008> _______________________________________________> Mosaic mailing list> [email protected]> To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to> http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org.> > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > _________________________________________________________________ Stay up to date on your PC, the Web, and your mobile phone with Windows Live. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/msnnkwxp1020093185mrt/direct/01/ _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org.
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