Unlocking the Power of Words: Literacy as the Bedrock of Education

By: Sophia Brown, Guest Author

Imagine a world where every word is a puzzle, every sentence a labyrinth. For some, this  is a daily reality. Literacy, the ability to decode the mystery of words and weave them  into meaningful communication, is the cornerstone of education. It’s a magical key that  unlocks a world of possibilities, and it’s one of the most precious gifts we can bestow  upon our children. 

Yet, the path to literacy is not a race, and every child embarks on this journey at their own pace. Some may find themselves lost in the maze of alphabets and syllables,  struggling to master the art of reading and writing. But fear not, for there is a beacon of  hope in this challenging terrain – Response to Intervention (RTI). 

RTI is not just a strategy; it’s a multi-tiered fortress built to safeguard students  grappling with learning and behavioral needs. It’s an early warning system, a support  network, and a guiding light all rolled into one. It ensures that no student is left behind  in the quest for literacy, providing the necessary tools and resources to overcome their  unique challenges. 

So, let’s delve deeper into the world of RTI, and explore how it’s revolutionizing the way  we approach literacy and education. Because every child deserves the chance to unlock  the power of words. 

Tier 1: Universal Instruction

The first tier of RTI involves high-quality instruction in the general education  classroom. All students receive this instruction, and teachers monitor progress  regularly. Here are some strategies that can be used: 

• Explicit Instruction: Teachers should clearly model and explain the skills  being taught. This includes demonstrating the process, providing guided practice,  and giving feedback. 

• Differentiated Instruction: Instruction should be tailored to meet the diverse  needs of students. This could involve adjusting the content, process, product, or  learning environment based on the student’s abilities, interests, and learning  styles.

 • Incorporating Technology: Using educational software or online resources  can make learning more engaging and personalized.

Lesson Example: Using a Shared Reading Approach

In a shared reading lesson, the teacher and students read a text together. The  teacher models fluency and comprehension strategies, and students join in. For  example, the class might read a short story together. The teacher can pause at  strategic points to model predicting (“I wonder why the character is acting this  way?”), questioning (“Why did the author choose this word?”), and summarizing  (“So far, the character has…”).

Tier 2: Targeted Interventions

Students not making adequate progress in Tier 1 will receive additional support in Tier  2. These interventions are more targeted and often occur in small group settings. Some  effective Tier 2 interventions include: 

• Guided Reading: This involves a teacher working with a small group of  students who are at similar reading levels. The teacher provides support as  students read texts that are slightly above their independent reading level. 

• Repeated Reading: Students read a short, meaningful passage several times  until a certain level of fluency is reached. This helps improve reading speed,  accuracy, and expression. 

• Vocabulary Instruction: Explicitly teaching vocabulary words can enhance  reading comprehension. This can be done through direct instruction, word maps,  or semantic feature analysis. 

Lesson Example: Guided Reading Groups

In a guided reading lesson, the teacher works with a small group of students who  are reading at a similar level. The teacher selects a text that is slightly above the  students’ independent reading level. The lesson might start with a brief  introduction to the text, followed by the students reading the text quietly to  themselves. As the students read, the teacher provides individual support,  prompting students to use decoding strategies as needed. After reading, the  teacher leads a discussion about the text, asking questions to check  comprehension and encourage deeper thinking. Instruction should be direct and  explicit.

Tier 3: Intensive Interventions

Tier 3 is designed for students who need more intensive support. These interventions  are often delivered one-on-one and are tailored to the specific needs of the student.  Some strategies for Tier 3 include: 

• Individualized Instruction: Instruction is tailored to the specific needs of the  student. This could involve more intensive versions of Tier 2 interventions or  specialized programs for students with learning disabilities. 

• Progress Monitoring: Regular assessments are used to track the student’s  progress and adjust instruction as needed. This ensures that the intervention is  effective and the student is making progress towards their literacy goals. 

Lesson Example: Individualized Reading Instruction

In an individualized reading lesson, the teacher works one-on-one with a student.  The teacher selects a text that is at the student’s instructional level and focuses on a specific skill that the student needs to work on. For example, if the student is  struggling with phonics, the teacher might select a text that contains many words  with the target phonics pattern. The teacher would then model the strategy, guide  the student in trying it, and provide feedback. Instruction should be direct and  explicit here as well.

Thank you, Ms. Brown for the valuable information! If you would like to learn more on how to support your students, request a demo today!