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Step 1
Choose a good time. Starting a new program makes the most sense at the beginning of the school year so that students get its maximum benefit. If that's not possible, starting after a break can also work.
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Step 2
Introduce the program. Allow the students to explore the materials and to understand the program's components. This way they will know what to expect and you won't have to waste later learning time while they exclaim over new books and activities.
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Step 3
Assess the students. Hopefully, the reading program has an initial assessment that will allow you to put students in the proper place in the program. If it doesn't, use the first unit's assessment to target what students need to work on.
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Step 4
Read ahead. Spend time reading all the materials involved with the program. If you can't read the entire program ahead of time, at least familiarize yourself with the first 10 lessons. If possible, observe another teacher using the program and get tips from him.
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Step 5
Prepare the supplements. If you need worksheets, flashcards, picture books or other materials to supplement the new reading program, make or obtain them before you start teaching the program. Have all the materials for at least the first 10 lessons.
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Step 6
Develop helpful lesson plans. When you start a new reading program, it's hard to gauge how much time you and the students will need to complete each day's lesson. It will also require more preparation on your part. To make these challenges easier, plan familiar activities in other subjects so that students don't get overwhelmed. Also, make sure the activities on either side of the new reading lesson plan are flexible so that you can expand or condense them depending on how long the new reading lesson takes.
