Paired Reading and the Literacy Club

1. Paired Reading and the Literacy Club Kath Pearson Advisory Teacher Epals Tameside

2. The Literacy Club allows the ability to initiate an Individual Learning Programme for literacy skills within an inclusive environment. • It is a training DVD aimed at SENCo’s, T.A’s, parents and pupils.

3. Paired Reading: • Aims: • To target pupils with reading ages below 8 years. • To target pupils who are not receiving extra provision for their reading skills. • To place pupils in an environment that allows them to develop their skills.

4. Environment: • The Learning Resource Centre which is a natural habitat for reading and learning. • An environment where they do not feel threatened and working with other pupils in a ‘club’ scenario. • Socially able to mix with their peers and with older year 10 pupils.

5. Screening: • Pupils are screened when they enter the secondary school. • Reading ages below 8 years give cause for concern. • Information gleaned from their primary school. • Requests from pupils themselves. • Information from parents, mainstream and support teachers.

6. Induction: • Explaining the object of the exercise. • To improve confidence in reading. • To increase skill level. • To improve fluency. • To socially mix with pupils in other year groups.

7. To give responsibility to year 10 pupils. • To improve self esteem. • To feel valued and part of a team.

8. When it takes place: • During registration Tuesday-Friday. • The pupils are in form time once a week so they can receive any relevant information. • They do not miss any curriculum time.

9. Most importantly, it conforms with inclusion. They are not being withdrawn individually but working within a ‘club’ environment just like any other club within the school.

10. The development of the Literacy Club. • Other literacy skills taken into account: • Addressing poor comprehension skills, pupils using Stile Comprehension.

11. Spelling skills addressed through the introduction of Scrabble. • Keyboard training for pupils using Alpha Smarts. • The development of a writing group

12. Pupils using Success Maker. • Using the Wellington Square CD Rom for consolidation. • Trialing new software for companies such as Pearson-Longman’s Digitext.

13. Every Child Matters:Change for children in schools.2003.DfEE • Section: we want every child to fulfil their potential regardless of their background or circumstances. ‘ensuring attendance encouraging pupils to behave responsibly, giving them a strong voice in school and encouraging them to volunteer to help others’.

14. ‘encouraging and helping parents in actively supporting their children’s learning and development’.

15. Conclusion: • The Literacy Club provides the opportunity for pupils in years 7-9 to continue to develop reading, spelling and comprehension skills through a variety of mediums.

16. It is an excellent example of wave three literacy intervention.