Learning For All

As a tier 3 interventionist, working with the lowest 20% of readers and writers in my K-2 building, most of our instructional time is working in text, writing with markers, and manipulating magnetic letters. Incorporating digital technology into my intervention groups was something at first I was a bit hesitant about. However, wow has it been WORTH it! Not only for my students, but for myself as well! 

I know the importance of implementing research based programs to fidelity to help yield the most successful results. I kept this in mind while incorporating digital learning into my lessons. Students write every other day in the Leveled Literacy Program. They write “short stories" about the texts that we read. We used Book Creator to create books composed of the “stories” the students have written. Allowing students to have choice in which stories would go into their book, gave them choice and a sense of ownership to their learning. Students were able to record their voice on their digital book. Allowing students opportunities to hear how their own reading sounds, has given them a chance to reflect on their own reading. Many times, students were saying, “I can make that sound smoother, let me record it again!” Such a powerful way to increase students' phrasing and intonation in their reading! Student-made digital books are able to be printed! We printed our books and added them to our independent reading bags. When students use their own writing as familiar reading, it helps support speeded recognition and a sense of achievement. 

As for me, I tried something out of my comfort zone. My students watched me learn something new, we worked together, and most importantly I’ve taught them more than just reading skills, I’ve taught them you can do anything if you just TRY.