THE BIG PICTURE

Objectives

As a result of reading and studying this chapter students will be able to:

• Describe the state of reading today and how initiatives such as NCLB and Reading First have affected the Reading Deficit
• Compare the brain activation patterns of good and poor readers and explain how this information might inform reading instruction
• Identify how to recognize effective reading research
• Describe the essential components of reading instruction
• Identify and define the four types of assessments used to inform reading instruction
• Outline the components of a Comprehensive Assessment Plan
• Recognize the stumbling blocks to becoming a proficient reader
• Describe the four levels of learners that are used to target reading instruction and intervention
• Describe effective instruction for the three types of adolescent struggling readers
• Identify recommendations for ELL reading instruction

Key Terms

• Curriculum Based Measurement (CBM)
• Matthew Effects
• the Fourth Grade Slump
• Academic language
• Differentiated Instruction
• Alliterate
• Functional illiterate
• English Language Learners

Assessment

Instructional PowerPoint

Web Resources

The following websites and resources may be useful to reading teachers in planning and implementing their lessons.

• 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
  The full NAEP report that presents the disappointing results of the 2007 NAEP in reading at grades 4 and 8. The report includes results for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
• Understanding the Brain and Reading
  A brief overview of how the brain functions during the reading process. The material also contains a few scanned images of the brain.
• Reading and the Brain
  This 30 minute video is hosted by Henry Winkler and explores why some children experience difficulty reading.
• "Structural Brain Differences in Kids with Dyslexia" by Dr. Gordon Sherman
  An interesting article about the neuroscience of the brain and structural differences in the brains of children who suffer from Dyslexia and other reading difficulties.
• Scientifically Based Reading Research
  The criteria for scientifically based reading instruction and evaluation criteria useful for selecting a scientifically based reading program.
• Phonics Based Reading Test
  This phonics based screening test, created by Academic Therapy Press, can be used to evaluate students' phonics, fluency, and comprehension skills.
• "Differentiated Instruction" by Tracey Hall, Ph.D.
  A detailed description of this popular instructional approach presented by CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology).