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Six Pillars of Effective Reading Instruction.pdfNova Scotia's Six Pillars of Effective Reading Instruction
Nova Scotia's Six Pillars of Effective Reading Instruction
There are many components that contribute to skilled reading. Often, at the middle level, we focus on the instruction of comprehension strategies and literary devices. There are many additional pieces, however, that we should not neglect; when any one of the pillars is shaky, it affects all others.
Reading Screener Assessments
Reading Screener Assessments
Knowing our middle level readers starts with the screening process. In order to make decisions about instruction, further assessment, or intervention, we need to have an understanding of where our students are starting.
There are several screeners that quickly assess students' reading comprehension. But what happens if the assessment shows that comprehension is breaking down? Where should our instruction begin?
The graphic to the left is a helpful decision tree for reading assessment. It shows the logical progression, or "drill down," of assessment when our initial screener shows that there may be an issue with a student's overall comprehension of a text. Click the image to open the higher-quality PDF document.
When we view reading as a pyramid, the graphic above starts to make even more sense. Phonemic awareness, an understanding of phonics, and the ability to decode are the foundational elements of reading. It is very difficult to build fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension in our readers when the foundation is shaky.
Below, you will find links to several assessments, as well as a brief overview of their purpose. To learn more about reading and reading development, see Professional Development.
Universal Screening: CORE Reading Resources
Universal Screening: CORE Reading Resources
Step 1: CORE Reading Maze
Step 1: CORE Reading Maze
Purpose: Screener
Focus: Comprehension
When to Use: Beginning, middle, and end of year
This Reading Maze-style assessment is taken from the CORE Literacy Library. It is comparable to the DIBELS Reading Maze, which you will see below. This can be used as an initial screener to get a quick profile of your class' strengths and challenges in the area of reading comprehension.
Step 2: Oral Reading Fluency Assessments
Step 2: Oral Reading Fluency Assessments
Purpose: Screener
Focus: Oral reading fluency
When to Use: Priority - Students who have not met grade level benchmarks in reading; Ideal - All students at three points throughout the year.
When a student's reading comprehension breaks down, the next logical step is to assess their reading fluency. For middle level readers, this is often the area of struggle. The issue presents itself on the Maze assessment when readers are unable to meet their grade level benchmark because they are not reading at an adequate rate or, in some cases, accuracy. The ORF assessment gives more information about the areas of fluency in which a student may be experiencing problems. It could be decoding (the ability to read the words on the page), especially multisyllabic words. It could be a lack of familiarity with vocabulary and content.
Grade 6 Benchmark Reading Assessments.pdfGrade 6 Oral Reading Fluency Assessments
Grade 6 Oral Reading Fluency Assessments
Adapted from 3 Minute Reading Assessments by Tim Rasinski, this document combines Grade 6 packages with the AVRCE Reading Assessment Rubric and comprehension questions.
4. CORE Phonics SurveyCORE Phonics Survey
CORE Phonics Survey
Purpose: Screener
Focus: Phonics and Phonemic Awareness
When to Use: With students who have demonstrated significant challenge, first on their CORE Reading Maze assessment, and possibly in their Oral Reading Fluency assessment.
While this assessment is appropriate for full-class use at the lower elementary level, it would not be used as a full-class screener at the middle level. Our Reading Maze is a more grade- and developmentally-appropriate measure for most middle level students. If a student's Maze results show that they are reading at an intensive level or below, it may be time to conduct a CORE Phonics Survey with the student. These assessments can also be done by Learning Support Teachers (e.g. Resource teacher, instructional coach, etc.).
AVRCE Benchmark Reading Assessment Rubrics - 6-12
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