Things You'll Need:
- Binder
- Developmentally appropriate reading books
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Step 1
Create a reading record for each student. Set up a table that includes the following headings: Date, Level, Book, Comments, Date Book Returned. Print out one reading record for each student, and write the student’s name on the top of the page.
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Step 2
Set up a reading binder for each student. If a team is going to work together to teach elementary students reading, then information about the reading progress of each student must be stored in one location.
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Step 3
Assess the reading level of each student. Write the reading level on the student’s reading record. One or more team members can do these reading assessments, but the results must be recorded in the reading binder so that all members of the reading team have access to this information.
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Step 4
Select reading books. Many elementary schools have reading books set aside in the library for students who are reading at different levels. Elementary school teachers also often have their own set of books for this purpose. Set aside a place in the classroom to store the books being used for elementary reading, and store the reading binder with the books.
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Step 5
Train each member of the team how to use the books and reading binder. Whenever a member of the team reads with a student, she should fill out one row in the reading record for that student. This includes the date, the level of the book, the title of the book and comments about the student’s reading. In addition, if books will be sent home with students, then the team member is responsible for recording that the book was returned to the classroom.
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Step 6
Explain how to write down comments. Comments about the student’s reading must be specific, such as “Practice the R sound” or “Needs to be coached to sound out words.” Team members must be able to read over the comments and apply them to future reading sessions with the child.
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Step 7
Set up a schedule. If all reading team members want to work with the students at one time, it might be challenging to find a quiet space for all of the children to work. Instead, work out a schedule, preferably one in which students get to read with different members of the reading team on a regular basis.
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Step 8
Review the reading binders regularly. One person (preferably the teacher) must be in charge of reviewing the reading binders periodically to make sure the students are progressing in elementary reading. In addition, the teacher should write down in the binder when a student is ready to move on to a higher level in elementary reading.
