Have you looked at Scholastics Phonics Inventory? It can assess their phonetic 
ability and give you a sense where they are in the continuum.  We use it for 
placement into System 44 which is a scholastic program used for students who 
are below Read 180.  Contact me off list for more information. 
[email protected]

Kathleen Ambrose
Reading Specialist
Hampton Bays Middle School
________________________________________
From: [email protected] 
[[email protected]] On Behalf Of Hugh & 
Lawrie McKeith [[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 9:49 PM
To: Mosaic: A Reading Comprehension Strategies Email Group
Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] phonics/RTI advice needed

I don't often post, but I can totally relate to your dilemma. I have a small
group of students who can all decode (some close to their grade levels, at
8/9) in the purest sense, but not to make meaningful words, and who all have
serious gaps in comprehension. They have had a lot of specific
interventions, but none of it has resulted in an increase in actual reading
skills. In other words, they have the decoding skills, but they can't apply
them meaningfully.

This year, we are using a guided reading/ Daily Five/readers workshop
combination (for 85 minutes a day). We do a mini-lesson introduction to our
day (based on a comprehension skill) then we do guided/independent-
reading/written response (2-column notes, sketch and stretch, T-charts, etc)
activity for about 45 minute (two 20 minute groups); then we apply the
mini-lesson instruction again in a group read-aloud (I read, they discuss
and respond). So far... an increase for most in the application of
comprehension strategies, an increase in ownership of reading material, and
an increase in quality and quantity of written response (we also do two 80
minute writers' workshop session a week, and focus on the same genres as
we're reading in our group read-alouds). It's a slow process, but we're
seeing growth.

It's not perfect, by any means, but the reading levels have increased for
all but one student, and they are WAY MORE engaged in Language Arts than
they were at the beginning of the year. They use the language, and they can
actually talk about what they're reading in specific terms!

Cheers,

Lawrie


On 11-02-08 5:33 PM, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote:

>  Hi all, I am currently working with a couple of 5th grade students.  I have
> them each day during a 30 min RTI slot.  My dilemma is that I've explicitly
> taught to fill in the gaps that they have in phonics.  The problem is that
> they can use the info correctly while doing word sorts or phonics activities
> during instruction time, but they don't apply it when being assessed.  I
> already am torn because I've read so much saying that struggling readers need
> to read more rather than skill and drill.  And I am of that mindset as well.
> This is supplemental instruction and isn't supplanting reading instruction,
> but............ I've contemplated several other courses of instruction:
> guided reading, independent reading, instruction that focuses on strategy
> instruction (a la Stephanie Harvey) or instruction that focuses on non-fiction
> text structure.  But, am unsure of what would be the most beneficial so am
> hoping to glean some info from someone's expertise in this situation. One
> student in particular I'm beginning to wonder if she will ever "own" the
> phonics concepts that she lacks and would be best served in learning how to
> compensate for her deficit.  She still struggles with comprehending in class.
> I'd love to hear how any of you have successfully dealt with this situation.
> I guess I've always worked with students that are on a lower level rather than
> ones who only have a few gaps and/or ones that seem to be able to apply what
> they learn even if it takes some repetition. Thanks in advance!! norma Let us
> be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who
> make our souls blossom.  ~Marcel Proust
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