Objectives of Reading Lab:

·         Support students in their individual learning, esp. through development of reading and writing skills, tailored to their specific needs, interests, and abilities

·         Provide intervention for struggling or reluctant readers, increasing comprehension, phonemic awareness, word recognition, and critical and analytical thinking—thereby raising individual and school performance in assessments such as NWEA and HSPE

·         Provide breadth and enrichment of each student’s academic experience, through unique opportunities for self-directed studies, exploration into auxiliary topics, identification of connections between disciplines and topics, and providing a larger overall context for understanding of their own experiences and studies as these relate to the world at large

Methodologies of Reading Lab:

·         Shared, oral reading with students on topics and by authors identified by student as area of interest or need: materials include magazine and newspaper articles, on-line references, and fiction and non-fiction books

·         In-depth discussion and pursuit of follow-on studies, further reading to encourage intellectual investigation, give greater context to student’s reading, and promote better analytical and critical thinking skills

·         Develop word recognition/vocabulary lists specific to student: practice and promote mastery

·         Linguistic studies as directed or helpful, including origins and roots of English words (Latin, French, etc.), building word recognition and improved understanding of grammar, parts of speech, etc.

·         Use of on-line resources such as TeenTribune.com (reading/writing, blogging in a secure site); ImagineLearning.com (reading in an interactive format); YouTube.com (archival media materials, including writers reading in their own voice, etc.); Google.com (esp. articles and images for reinforcement of concepts, events, vocabulary, and specific references to works of art, etc.)

·         Game playing as appropriate, including Author’s (card game, based on literary titles/authors); Bananagrams and Scrabble (vocabulary/spelling/phonics)

Benefits to Students of Reading Lab:

·         Targeted support for those who need additional help with their regular class work

·         Self-paced and self-directed discussion and follow-up on related topics, leading to greater understanding in context, and helping student to make connections between ideas and topics and better analyze and evaluate writer’s purpose, meaning, and reasoning

·         Increased phonemic awareness and ability to make connections between written and spoken language through oral reading—providing model for student of inflection, pronunciation, etc., often boosting comprehension and confidence

·         Develop student’s commitment to and ownership of their own ongoing education, along a personal path of discovery and pursuit of their own goals/interests for the future, giving a sense of self-empowerment and control, building greater confidence and ambition, and nurturing a hunger and passion for lifelong learning

·         Provide another trusted and concerned adult in education, a positive role model for active and involved reading, and who has the benefit of 1-on-1 time during which the student can be mentored, supported, and encouraged according to their own needs

·         Snacks available at every session, Tiger Tickets for student store, incentive reward gift books for students who attend and participate throughout the school year