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Action Factor, Inc. presents the workshop for teachers and parents…

Presenter: Dr. Myrna R. Gifford

Workshop overview: Building a Reading Tutoring Program from the Ground Up is a uniquely crafted tutor training program that includes three vital components: organization, communication, and documentation. Tutoring sessions are organized to target weaknesses and maximize student engagement. Weekly communication between tutor, teacher, parent, and student facilitate transfer of concepts and skills to the regular classroom. And students themselves participate in  goal setting and documenting their own progress. Tutors help students overcome reading problems through enjoyable games and activities. A special feature of this program is the signature piece—a technique for developing reading fluency so necessary for comprehension.

Objectives of the presentation: Participants will learn:

• how to plan, organize, and manage reading tutoring sessions to maximize time on task, motivation, and improvement;
• how to diagnose and remediate common impediments to progress in reading,
• how to develop effective circles of communication between tutor, teacher, student, and parents.

Participants will receive a packet of ready-to-use forms and activities that can be adapted to individual needs and curricula.

Format of the presentation: Workshop with audience participation. This is an interactive workshop where participants gain practice in diagnosing reading impediments, try out activities designed to improve reading skills, and engage in simulated tutoring sessions.

Target age group: Grades 1-6

The target audience: Classroom teachers, reading specialists, and administrators interested in improving the quality of reading tutoring programs and promoting student progress and interest in reading and writing.

Brief summary of content: The Blueprint program incorporates five basic principles of effective tutoring:  motivate, build confidence, make it fun, provide the tools, and cement with consistency. Participants will learn how to motivate students by aligning reading tasks with student interests and by collaborating with students in setting realistic short and long term goals. Because confidence is built upon success, large goals are broken into smaller achievable increments, ensuring that students succeed every step of the way. An array of novel tools for diagnosis and remediation are available for tutors to provide students with a painless and enjoyable road to reading improvement. Consistency and effectiveness are build into tutoring sessions that are clearly divided into discrete periods of time, each with a different focus--building fluency, building tools and strategies (decoding, word recognition, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension), transfer of learning (through games and activities), and review of progress and goals. And because relevance and ongoing support are priorities, tutoring session content is aligned with expectations in the regular classroom through regular written communication with students’ teachers and parents.

To request a customized workshop at your location, please use our online form.