MODULE 3: REMEDIATION IN READING SKILLS
Remediation in reading skills is a specialized, individualized approach that
addresses specific weaknesses in underperforming readers through targeted
instruction and practice. It involves assessing a student's difficulties in areas like
decoding, fluency, and comprehension, then creating a customized plan using
research-based strategies such as explicit phonics, vocabulary development,
comprehension activities, and sometimes assistive technology. The goal is to help
students catch up to their peers by providing extra time and support to build essential
reading competencies.
Key Components of Reading Remediation:
1. Assessment: A comprehensive evaluation identifies specific areas of
difficulty, such as decoding, fluency, comprehension, and language skills.
2. Individualized Plan: A specialized reading remediation plan is developed
based on the assessment to address the student's unique needs.
3. Targeted Instruction: Instruction focuses on specific weaknesses,
using research-validated methods.
4. Multi-Sensory Techniques: Methods may include phonics,
explicit phonemic awareness training, sight word recognition, and vocabulary
development.
5. Fluency Building: Strategies like re-reading texts, assisted reading, and
reading with listening are used to build reading speed and smoothness.
6. Comprehension Strategies: Techniques such as asking
questions, predicting, and summarizing are taught to improve understanding.
7. Intensive and Consistent Practice: Instruction is consistent, with time for
teacher modeling, guided practice, and independent practice.
8. Assistive Technology: Tools like text-to-speech software and audiobooks
can support students in accessing written material.
The Five Pillars of Reading Remediation
According to the National Reading Panel, proficient reading involves five key
skills that remedial programs must address:
1. Phonemic awareness: The ability to hear, identify, and manipulate the individual
sounds (phonemes) in spoken words.
Remediation activities: Sound isolation games, blending sounds to form words,
and segmenting words into individual sounds.
2. Phonics: The understanding of how letters and their corresponding sounds are
used to form words.
Remediation activities: Explicitly teaching letter-sound relationships and
syllabication rules through systematic, multisensory instruction.
3. Reading fluency: The ability to read text accurately, quickly, and with proper
expression.
Remediation activities: Repeated reading of familiar texts, assisted reading
(like paired or echo reading), and providing corrective feedback to build
accuracy and speed.
4. Vocabulary: Knowledge of words and their meanings.
Remediation activities: Contextualizing new words with real-life examples,
teaching word-learning strategies using context clues, and encouraging wide
reading.
5. Reading comprehension: The ability to understand and interpret the meaning of
what is being read.
Remediation activities: Pre-reading strategies like "picture walks," teaching
specific comprehension strategies (e.g., questioning, summarizing), and using
graphic organizers.
How it Helpls Struggling Readers
1. Identifies Learning Gaps: Remediation pinpoints the specific skills that are
hindering a student’s progress.
2. Provides Catch-Up Support: It help students “catch-up” by providing extra
time and practice in areas where they are falling behind.
3. Builds Foundational Skills: It strengthens essential reading skills that are
crucial for academic success.
4. Corrects Inefficient Habits: It corrects inefficient reading habits, enabling
students to become more proficient and effective readers.
REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION IN READING
Remediation Through Phonemic Awareness
Remedial Vocabulary Instruction
Vocabulary is initially acquired in four ways:
- Incidentally, through reading and conversation.
- Through direct instruction, as when a teacher or auto-instuctional
program is used intentionally build vocabulary power.
- Through self-instruction, as when words are looked up in a dictionary
or their meaning are sought from others in a conscious manner.
- Through mental manipulation while thinking, speaking, and writing.
Remedial instruction can take many forms depending on student needs,
but some common strategies include:
One-on-one or small-group tutoring: This allows for more personalized and focused
attention on the student's specific areas of struggle.
Multi-sensory methods: Teachers use creative strategies that engage multiple
senses to help students grasp fundamental skills in subjects like literacy or math.
Differentiated instruction: Modifying instruction and activities to meet the diverse
learning needs within a group.
Peer support programs: Training students who excel in a subject to become "little
teachers" to help struggling classmates.
Push-in or pull-out services: A remediation teacher can either enter the general
classroom to provide support or remove students to work in a separate setting.
