This is the final part of a three-part series as I considered how much longer Maddie would need ongoing tutoring sessions.
In this post, I will be looking at how Maddie is dealing with challenges in a new test.
In Literacy Lessons for Individuals, Part 2, Marie Clay suggests that a child of Maddie’s age should be reading at about a Level 16 book.
I have just begun working with level 16-18 books with Maddie and she is doing well with them. I have noticed her consistently monitoring her reading, detecting errors herself, and correcting many of those errors. I am also pleased with how well she is searching searches for different kinds of information at difficulty. I see her rereading, checking the pictures, and taking complex words apart.
Here, Maddie is reading Space Monster’s Birthday Party (Level 16). I am pleased to see her checking her reading and quickly correcting words (monster, maybe). She also does some fast problem solving (wonder). I see her doing this kind of independent problem solving on a regular basis, which is very exciting. I remember when at difficulty she would just stop and do nothing.
My time with Maddie has been very inconsistent lately with my move from Florida back to our home in Massachusetts. Despite the lack of weekly tutoring, I have noticed that Maddie is continuing to read and try new things, a great sign that her self-extending system is continuing to develop. Her parents and I have decided I will work with Maddie every other week during the summer. This will give me a chance to monitor her progress and provide the family with some books that will be a good fit for Maddie. I also hope to make some videos to illustrate useful ways to support beginning readers and writers. In particular, I hope to make some videos using magnetic letters. Look for those in the fall!
Michèle Dufresne is author of many Pioneer Valley Books early readers (including the Bella and Rosie series), Word Solvers (Heinemann), and an early literacy and literacy intervention consultant.
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