How to Use Dogs in the Classroom to Improve Students' Reading
Dogs are good for many things--from catching Frisbees to acting as companions. In some places, dogs are even assigned as reading partners for students. Since 1999, Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) and similar groups have pushed for integration of dogs into reading programs. R.E.A.D. cites standardized test data from numerous studies, including the Bennion Elementary pilot program of 2000-2001, that indicate that the presence of and interaction with a dog can be beneficial in helping students develop reading skills. While accommodating a dog in your classroom may seem arduous, it can be done easily and, if studies are correct, is highly effective.
Instructions
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Contact R.E.A.D or another reputable reading dog program to locate trained dogs in your area. To be effective, a reading dog must be docile and gentle. Reading program dogs receive special training to ensure that they have the skills necessary to be an effective additional to the classroom and not, instead, a destructive distraction.
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Allow students to bond with the dog. For your reading dog to be effective, students must care for the canine. When you first introduce the dog to the classroom mix, allow students some time to bond with him. Take the dog out to recess, or allow your students to feed him some doggy treats.
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Provide group time to greet the dog upon arrival in the classroom. Allow your students time to greet their friend each time he arrives in class. After having the opportunity to pet the pooch, your students will be more capable of focusing on the lesson.
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Allow the dog to join in during story time. Place the reading dog in the center of the students during reading time, allowing them to pet or rest upon the dog as they listen to the tale. This practice of engaging with the animal is relaxing to many students and will increase their ability to focus on the story.
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Create a rotating schedule, allowing students to read to the dog one-on-one regularly. Students benefit the most from the presence of a reading dog when they are allowed time to read aloud to the dog in a one-on-one setting. Create a schedule that rotates weekly, allowing 10 students to read a short story or picture book to the dog each week. On an off-week, students can practice the story that they intend to read to the dog in the upcoming week.
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Read dog-themed books to capitalize off of students' interest in the furry visitor. Make dogs a central element to your reading program by selecting as many dog-themed books as you can. Because you have a doggy visitor each week, you know that all students have experience with dogs. Use this shared experience as a benefit when selecting reading material.
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References
- Photo Credit dog image by Michal Tudek from Fotolia.com
