YLV 40 Behind the Scenes- 3 secrets I used to help students make 1 years progress in 3 months and what was missing

Assessment is important to measure and support progress
I share my experience as a one-to-one reading tutor and how I was able to efficiently help students improve their reading skills. Assessment in guiding the learning process and achieving desired outcomes.

While it is important for students to enjoy the learning process, there is also value in being able to make progress in a short span of time. If there are strategies or methods that can help children make quick progress, it is worth exploring and implementing them. This mindset is essential in understanding the significance of assessment in driving progress.

In my role as an online reading tutor, I initially had a few students, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, I gained more students who needed support during the time of remote learning. Assessments were crucial because they provided a starting point and allowed me to understand where each student was in their learning journey.

Assessments do not have to be formal exams but can take various forms. The goal is to gather information about the students’ abilities and identify their strengths and weaknesses. By doing so, we can tailor their instruction to meet the specific needs of each student. This personalised approach is essential in making progress as it allows for targeted interventions and support.

 After the initial assessment, I conducted follow-up assessment to measure the progress my students had made. This allowed me to track their growth and adjust me teaching strategies accordingly. Within a three-month period, my students were able to make approximately a year’s worth of progress. This significant improvement demonstrates the effectiveness of assessment in driving progress.

Progress made may vary depending on the individual student’s starting point and their specific needs. However,  assessments are particularly beneficial for students who are struggling. These assessments can help identify the barriers to learning and provide focused support to address those challenges. I had one parent who wanted their child to be able to read chapter books like their peers and to be able to help this little boy, I needed to efficeintly find out what he needed in order to help him not feel left out from his friends. 

Efficient personalised reading support
While phonics programs provide a structured framework, they may not capture the unique reading needs of every child. Personalised support allows us to address specific challenges and cater to individual learning styles. By understanding each child’s unique personality and needs, tutors and educators can tailor their instruction to maximize effectiveness.

Efficiency is another key aspect of personalized reading support. The podcast highlights the effectiveness of shorter, more frequent sessions compared to longer, less frequent ones. By spacing out sessions and providing consistent practice, children are able to make significant progress in a shorter period of time. This approach also helps maintain focus and engagement, as children know what to expect and can concentrate on the skills being taught.

Consistency and routine are also important. Following a predictable structure allows children to feel more comfortable and confident in their learning. When they know what to expect, their minds are free to focus on the actual skills being taught. This routine also helps move towards mastery, as children can practice and reinforce their skills consistently.

Reading mileage is another important part of creating progress. While games and activities can be helpful, it is essential to have actual reading practice. Reading words, sentences, and texts is crucial for developing reading fluency and comprehension. By providing opportunities for children to read and practice regularly, we can help them build their reading skills and increase their reading mileage.

Reading practice 
Being able to decode words does not necessarily mean that a child can read a whole sentence. It is crucial for children to practice reading in order to develop understanding and prepare for more advanced stages of reading, such as fluency and comprehension.

I have used games to hide reading practice, making it more enjoyable for children. This approach not only provides reading mileage but also makes the learning process more engaging. Additionally, it is important to immerse in books. 

During the reading practice sessions, I coached the children through their reading, helping them when they got stuck on a word and guiding them to use strategies to continue reading. This approach allowed children to apply their skills in a meaningful context. The host emphasises that the more context children use in their reading, the more mastery they develop.

We must also be giving children choice in their reading materials. Many children will chose non-fiction books, which can help them overcome reading difficulties. By allowing children to choose books they are interested in, they feel empowered and motivated to read.

What was missing 

But there were some aspects missing in my approach. I was always concerned about what was happening outside of the tutoring sessions and the level of family support. It was challenging to communicate what was done in the sessions and why it was important. Some parents asked for additional activities to do at home, but she struggled to provide them due to time constraints. It is essential to support parents and provide them with resources and guidance to help their children develop reading skills.

Assessments can often be confusing for parents, with lots of jargon and little practical application. 

I also share with the details of the new little readers village!