I will put a technical word, or term on the board and using the text book, read through the word or term as it is used in the book. I will then try to find a comparable general word to related it too. Sometimes that is difficult, but if I can use a word or term in a general descriptive manner associated with something they know, I have found that it helps those who have reading issues.
Refer to studnet tutoring
I give four major writing assignments and I stress to the students that reading their papers aloud will help them "hear" what other people see. This is a great way for students to effectively correct grammatical mistakes as well as confusing text. Our brains process things that we hear and read differently. Try this - read something you have written aloud to yourself. Did you find any mistakes that you didn't notice when you simply read it silently?
Karen
I have had this happen with a few of my students. I pull them aside privately and discuss what we can do, if they have had this issue in the past and what works for them. Sometimes I create quizzes, or worksheets just for the student to focus in on the areas where they are having trouble. I have also talked with reading specialists on what techniques we could try during tutoring to help the student improve. Sometimes just the individual attention and one on one time helps the student to focus and ask questions without the thought of being ridiculed.
You can help students with reading deficiencies by providing word association. You an also give them visuals, provide details with examples. You can encourage their input to show them their progress. You can also implement a study buddy to assist student.
In addition to Janson's usage of oral presentations, I've asked students to prepare a written report (what we call a mini-paper) which is one or two pages long. The students are then given a 5-minute block of time to give an oral presentation on the significant findings presented on their mini-paper. Reluctance disappears and students eventually look forward to their turn to present.
MOTIVATION! Reading deficiencies greatly improve when the reader is interested in what he/she is reading. This is also true if you can show the relevance of the material to accomplishing their goals.
I like to have my students have a friend, family member, or myself proof read their papers before they turn it in. I like to give them feedback on their paper so they know what and why they need to make corrections.
Offering visual learning guides helps students with reading deficiencies. I also tell them to utilize online resources for spelling and pronunciation of words that they do not recognize.
Explain things in the simplest fashion, make the student feel comfortable enough to ask you a question, if they don't understand what something means. Use visual and hands-on learning tools rather than reading and listening.
This is great technique that I will implement in the future. Thanks, great feedback.
students do like to hear some type of feedback so they can have an open idea of what is expected of them
Most schools have academic assistance for such issues
Give them something to read that interests them. This will get them in the mindset of readiing
Vocabulary assignments are helpful for all students, especially those with reading deficits. It can help them grasp key words and theories and help familiarize them with words used in the classroom.
I've offered this with several report writing classes and to date only one student (out of maybe two dozen) took me up on it. Are there any tricks to encourage more students to allow me to help them sooner than the day a paper is due?
First you have to make the student understand that a reading deficiencies is a problem that can be solved. The student has to become aware that it first will take some time and the student has to be determined to become a better reader. The problem can be solved by a multi-level approach. A tutor is a valuable aid. Reading magazines, newspapers and their text books will aid the process. Insuring that they do their written assignments. Rereading and refining their assignments will improve their skills. Working in groups will also speed up the process.
Students, no mater what they are learning, do so because they want to be successful in life and often times this means that they want to get a good paying job once they get out of school. We are all familiar with motivating students to improve in any given aspect by re enforcing how improving in a certain area will ultimately lead to the success they want. This approach often has a positive result from the student, my suggestion is to use that same motivation to get them to read and communicate better.
Heidi:
I like your ideas....students thrive on feedback!! What are some strategies that you take in giving positive feedback on matters that need to be improved?
Best,
I have taught middle school student with reading deficiencies for many years and what I have learned by teaching this to NEVER ASSUME the student knows about what you are reading. Thus, I am always providing supplemental material to help with reading skills in any class I teach. One item that works really well is to give students reading strategies like SQR3. Many students were not taught strategies as children and explicitly teaching these skills can open up the reading for students.
