Read to Achieve (R2A)

Why is R2A offered within W2C?

• Helps students improve reading fluency and comprehension
• Develops one-to-one relationship with a non-family member who cares about student’s reading success

What is involved with R2A?

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• Reading tutor paired with students from grades 5 – 8
• Continuity of pairing is maintained when appropriate and feasible

--Weekly throughout school year, and in some cases year by year

--Familiarity of tutor and student eliminates need for repeated� assessment and rapport building

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How does W2C staff provide support for R2A tutors?

• W2C staff pairs tutor with students according to desired grade level
• Tutor fills out a volunteer intake form
• Staff arranges and accompanies first meeting of tutor, student and parent
• Tutor and parents exchange phone numbers for communication purposes
• W2C staff tracks student attendance
• Tutor signs in attendance binder in children’s section librarians’ section of Waukegan Library
• W2C staff can assist tutor in corresponding with student’s teachers about any questions or concerns

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When and how does R2A tutoring take place through W2C?

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• At Waukegan Public Library (County Street location)

--Lower level (Children’s Section) has tables available

--Study rooms on first floor can be reserved for a quieter meeting place

• Sessions are 45 minutes each week throughout school year

--No tutoring during winter, spring and summer breaks

--Tutors and students/parents exchange contact information to communicate absences due to illness, weather or unforeseen circumstances

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When and how does R2A tutoring take place through W2C? (cont’d)

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• Student responsible for bringing a book each week

--Student chooses book (typically a novel but non-fiction acceptable); guidance from tutor suggested

--If the book is too difficult (more than 5 errors per page) or too easy, reading progress is diminished

--Tutor given information about student’s reading level by W2C; choosing book one level lower fosters reading success and momentum

--Material that complements classroom work can help student build much-needed background knowledge

--Tutor should have own copy of book (through library)

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What does a reading session include?

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• Get to know student better, asking about school, home, interests, etc.
• Student and tutor “buddy read”, taking turns reading aloud by paragraph or page

--Reading aloud and listening to a proficient reader are effective strategies for building fluency

--Typical for students to read too quickly, omit pauses at commas and periods. Leads to problems in comprehension. Gentle reminders to slow down are helpful.

--Tutor corrects errors as needed

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What does a reading session include? (cont’d)

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• Tutor checks comprehension in various ways

--Periodically asking questions about the reading during session

--Have student retell in own words what happened

--Attention to unfamiliar vocabulary & idioms (figures of speech)

--Rather than give student definitions, student should first try to determine meaning using context around word

--Additional reading comprehension training material available to tutors; see Attendance Binder

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What does a reading session include? (cont’d)

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• Additional ideas to supplement session

--Help with homework assignment or study for a test

--Provide information on literary genre to help assist in book selection

--If reading fluency is very good, reading silently allows for more time spent discussing reading and getting through book more quickly (particularly in higher grades when books are longer)

--Read an article or a weather map in a newspaper (lead to related discussions, math problems and geography)

--Simple projects or writing assignments corresponding to student’s classwork or book being read. For example:

--Venn diagram to compare two concepts

--Write a different ending

--Student creates a quiz for tutor on the reading