Reflections on Success

1. Reflections on Success Group 1 and Group 2 Trained by: Shirley Gott ECaR Consultant At: Preston ECaR Centre 2009-2010 Compiled by Kylie Stott – Teacher in Training

2. Owen started the programme at Level 1. Reading was a real effort for him and not an enjoyable experience. He was part of an able class and during Guided Reading sessions you could see the panic set in. His favourite part of RR was a new book every day. He completed the programme at Level 17. At the school awards assembly the Head Teacher asked how he felt about his success, his reply,“I’m just so proud of myself! I can’t believe it!” Owen

3. “Success Breeds Success” When doing a final assessment of a child, he was bubbly and very excited. His self-esteem was sky high and he said to me, “This is the best day EVER!” Reading Recovery has been a privilege for me. Time to teach children what they really need, using my own professionalism and the RR programme. I feel valued again!

4. For the Love of Reading! My RR children used to hate reading. Now they love it so much they come to me and ask for extra books to take home! When a little girl started RR she couldn’t even blend cvc words. She discontinued at 20 weeks on Level 19!

5. Taking a word literally! “We’re going to keep this word in our head for tomorrow,” I said 1. We made it with magnetic letters. 2. We ‘quick wrote’ it on the board. 3. I wrote it on a piece of card and pressed it against his head and said, “This word is going to be in your head tomorrow!” I took the card away and realised it had actually imprinted on his forehead!!

6. Jordan Jordan was a struggling Year 1 child. His behaviour in class was poor. He loved coming out of class for RR and having great conversations about his grandparents, who featured in all of his writing. Upon completing the course his class teacher said, “Jordan will try to read anything! He reads all that I write on the board. He can’t get enough of words and reading!”

7. Training I really enjoy our training sessions. In school I can feel quite isolated, it’s nice to be able to share experiences with people who know what we do in RR. I always take something new away from each session to try out in school. This is a wonderfully effective programme with such a high level of success. My Year 2 children achieved Level 2b in SATs My Year 1 children returned to class in the second top reading group. They’ve all changed from timid and shy, to very confident readers and writers

8. Parents Point of View "As a Mother whose child has taken part in the RR Programme I am really pleased with the outcome it has had on my child. My child learnt to read more confidently on his own and explore with his imagination. He is more confident when reading and doesn’t look puzzled when reading a new book like he used to. In a short space of time my child's reading was improving everyday, it felt like I woke up one morning and my son could read and recognise words he had never heard of. On top of everything its all the time and effort the RR Teacher gave to my son and I would like to thank you again for all your help and patience!" Parent

9. Independence It’s lovely to see children grow into independent and confident learners. Children who before RR would do nothing without adult support, now attempt all tasks confidently. Callam, who believed he couldn’t write, progressed from a Level 3 to a Level 16 in a very short time. He got a full score on his final CAP test and he got top marks in the Observation Survey Writing Test!

10. Discoveries Bradley could only read his name when he started. Although he didn’t make Level 16, it was only through RR lessons that it was discovered that he is dyslexic and short sighted. However he still continues to make progress back in class! I have had the best teaching year of my career so far. It is a dream job. I have had such a journey this year, with seeing and experiencing so many ‘light bulb’ moments. I can’t wait to further develop my ECaR role in school next year.

11. Real Life Applications A wedding card from one of the RR children

12. Through all obstacles ‘Little Pete’ (who’s name has been changed) will always stick in my mind as an amazing success story. He was a perfect Year 1 candidate for RR: low stanines, not reading anything & unwilling to speak to a teacher let alone have anything to write. He started the programme, however he was missing a lot of school due to poor health, then at one point parental support ceased. The Head Teacher managed to talk his parent round and off we went again with continuing home support. By the New Year Pete was 'eating up' books, bounding through the levels and telling funny stories before eagerly writing them down. Clearly life had improved at home but it coincided with the opportunity to learn at school and Pete made the most of it, confidently reading at Level 17 by the end of 20 weeks. Both his class teacher and Head were amazed by his progress and the school governors made a special point of thanking me for the achievement.

13. Keeping in the Loop "The RR Programme has helped my child to focus on the words better. He has started to read with lots of confidence. He used to always say “I don’t want to read” but now he likes to read and talks more about the words and the pictures. I'm quite happy with my sons ability to read independently and  he is also enjoying what he's reading. I am also grateful for the Teachers to take time out to do this programme because it is working very well.  I am kept in touch about his progress so I am very happy. Thank you for your help." Parent

14. A small pea in a large pod Matthew was a child from a HUGE joined family. He joined RR and absolutely soared! Not only gaining confidence in reading and writing, but put his hand up in class more times than his teacher actually wanted! Every night he stuck his cut up sentence into his book and read everything I sent home. I often asked him who he read to at home, his replies varied, however one day he said,“Everyone was too busy, so I read to my dog.” Matthew finished RR at 18 weeks on Level 22. I actually ran out of books for him to read!

15. Dr. Seuss RULES! Jacob couldn’t read and wouldn’t read. He made progress quickly from the start, but when he discovered Dr. Seuss his reading REALLY TOOK OFF!! Not only does he read everything on the classroom walls, and around the supermarket, but he’s working his way through the Dr. Seuss book box-set he was given for his birthday.

16. A Class Teacher’s view “Zac improved immediately when placed in RR. He gained both confidence and ability in terms of his decoding but he also learnt valuable strategies to support his reading and writing. His progression dipped slightly when coming off RR, but has since gained a new sense of self-motivation, which has also encouraged his parents to ensure that he continues to progress. This programme was not a ‘quick fix’ to drive up attainment. It is far more valuable than that, as Zac is now accessing the curriculum independently at a level way beyond where he finished RR, simply due to his confidence in his own ability and the strategies he’s learnt.” Year 1 Class Teacher

17. Life Changing!! A little boy will always stay in my mind who was considered to be “naughty” and disruptive in class. His teacher was relieved he would be spending less time in class, yet his mum was desperate for help. On entry into RR he was a non-reader. We soon discovered that he needed glasses, and he LOVED non-fiction books and he couldn’t read too many books about ‘fish’! At the end of the programme he was a fluent reader and he was concentrating and behaving really well in class. His mum cried when she came to watch a lesson and heard him read. She was so proud. I really feel that Reading Recovery has changed his life.