How to Start a Reading Tutorial Reading Program
Struggling readers at any level can receive a huge boost to their skills when they are enrolled in a reading tutorial program. By engaging students in a one-on-one learning situation with a trained tutor, they will receive the opportunity they need to proceed at their own pace while improving skills with methods designed especially for them. In addition, kids' self-confidence, including their willingness to read aloud, is increased measurably when they work with a reading tutor in a private setting.
Instructions
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How to Start a Reading Tutorial Reading Program
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Decide which students would most benefit from reading tutorials. Although that decision should be made based on reading scores and reading ability as demonstrated in the classroom, other factors, such as the child's willingness to cooperate, should be considered. With limited space and a limited number of volunteer tutors, it's important to single out willing participants for the tutorial program. In addition, if the program will be held before or after to school, the students selected for tutorials may need to have parents willing to provide transportation if the school can't.
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Assign or hire an individual to serve as director for the reading tutorial program; this person might be the district's reading specialist or an elementary classroom teacher. The director will supervise all aspects of the program, from selecting the students to recruiting and training the volunteers to oversee the actual tutoring. A monitoring and evaluating system should be set up, and it will be the director's job to assess how the program is progressing and to make regular reports to the school administration.
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Survey parents and prospective tutors as to what time of day they think would be best for the tutorials. Some schools set up tutoring sessions before school, although this tends to be a little early for some kids who already have trouble getting out of bed in the morning. After school is the most common time for reading tutorials; however, after a full day of school, some students are less receptive. Another idea is an early evening tutorial, which works best for many volunteer tutors. This arrangement may require the tutoring program to be set up somewhere other than the school, such as a library or community center.
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Find volunteers who show an interest in tutoring kids struggling to read. Reading tutors do not have to be educators; explain to prospective tutors that they will be trained and supervised while they work with students. High school students are often interested in working with younger kids, and primary school students often respond well to teenagers. Think about recruiting senior citizens from retirement communities who often are doting grandparents and have current experience interacting with children. Ask a local service organization if it would be interested in taking on reading tutorials at your school as a group project.
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Recruit a reading specialist from your school district to train tutors in the basics, providing a lot of specific tips and a variety of materials to use. The most important aspect of the training is to explain how the tutor will implement the instructions that the child's teacher will provide as to what reading skills in particular need to be tackled. Sometimes an online reading tutorial will be just the ticket for a reluctant reader. In this case, all that is needed is for the child to have access to a computer and an appropriate program that the teacher has picked out; the job of the tutor will be to simply monitor and assist as the child works.
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Tips & Warnings
Plan occasional treats and surprises for kids during the tutorials; do the same for tutors, remembering to frequently express your appreciation.
Keep in mind that most states require that all adults working with students in a school district, even as volunteers, must be given a thorough background check. Make sure that volunteers understand that the work they do with children will be kept totally confidential.
