Please read and then reply if interested...

Good Evening Everyone,
Hope all of you are enjoying a few days off for the Easter holiday. My district had spring break first week of April so we only had Friday off, back to work Monday.

I am posting in hopes to introduce myself and ask if anyone else is dealing with similar problems/situations. I'd just like to hear from you and then perhaps get some dialog going.

I am a special education teacher (E.I.) but I am servicing students with ASD, cognitive impairments, and of course students with emotional/behavioral problems. There are a wide variety of reading levels in my classroom from students who do not know all of their letter names and sounds, to students who are at a DRA 28.

Please reply if you can relate to this and/or if you have low level readers that you have had success with.

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Julie

Hi Julie,

I've had all types of readers as well, from kids with mild learning disabilities to severe autism or Down Syndrome. Every child's needs are different and require different types of help. I can definitely relate - is there something we can help you with?

I was lucky enough to have the entire week as well as Easter Monday off. 30 work days to go!!!

Jamie

I'm in that same position. I'm an 8th grade teacher with students who reading levels from early 2nd grade through levels beyond 8th grade. It's always a challenge, but well worth it! :)

Thanks for the responses. The biggest difficulty I am having now is feeling as though I am not meeting the needs of all students in my room. When some of my students are unable to identify all the letters of the alphabet while others are able to read at an upper 2nd grade level. I find that I am not servicing those higher end kids as well as I should.

The lower functioning students require so much more of my time. Many of my kids are foster kids, etc. So the home situation at home is not supportive either.

Just wondering if anyone one else dealt with these issues, and what works for them. I'd like to be able to do some Daily-5 in my room, and think I'll get working on that over the summer so that it is ready to go in the fall.

Thanks again for listening,
Julie

Hi Julie,
I haven't been on for a few weeks, but I read your April & May entries. It's hard when there isn't support at home, but one thing I've found is that sending books home that kids can read on their own is helpful in keeping them reading over the weekends and vacation weeks. These are usually my low-income, ELL, sped, and academically low kids that don't have access to reading materials at their independent level at home. I use a ziplock baggie as a bookbag, include two/three books they've already read in school (or have the same characters & format, i.e., Arthur, Magic Tree House, Nate the Great, etc.), and I add a 1/4 sheet checklist that encourages a family member to enjoy the book with their child and a signature line, or the student signs that they read it and writes a sentence or two about their favorite part or character. I tell students that when they return the books, I'll refresh their bookbaggie with new books. I keep an informal list of dates and book titles for each student so I don't resend the same book, and if they haven't brought the books back in awhile, I give them a friendly reminder. I've found that older brothers and sisters sometimes listen to the student read and sign the form - and sometimes they write me a note, too!
Hope you find this helpful,
Linda