IGR Methodology What is Fundamental

Integrated Group Reading Integrated Group Reading is a teaching-learning model incorporating an integral Teacher-TA model Both the teacher-led IGR lessons and the next-day TA follow-up sessions take place in the classroom within the normal school organisational structuring of group or guided reading

Fundamental Aspects of IGR IGR is above all a therapeutic approach for children in need of careful, close, expert teaching ie children whose reading delay means that they are as yet unable to fully access key aspects of the literacy curriculum

A purpose-built Methodology This close teaching takes place within a refined, purpose-built methodology with its own materials, including story-specific games IGR Methodology has been designed to allow for close, observant teaching which in turn brings the teacher a detailed knowledge of the reading strengths and weaknesses of the children in his or her group

Working in Depth IGR involves working in depth with short books so that every book becomes the hub of a complete learning cycle Children experience the same text at several linguistic levels, including the phonic level The playing of story-specific games at each of these levels helps consolidate learning and secures children’s engagement

The IGR learning Sequence The IGR approach involves a learning sequence that goes from that which is easier to that which is more difficult (ie recognition is easier than reading words in context, which is easier than reading words out of context, which is easier than reading unfamiliar non-story-specific words out of context etc)

A non-analytic approach for the children IGR is a non-analytic, non-metacognitive approach for the children (but is analytic and metacognitive for the teacher)

Teacher-TA communications Close teacher-TA communications (the observation and recording of the fine detail of children’s progress and difficulties) are a fundamental aspect of IGR methodology The respective roles of Teacher and TA are unified by the model

Use of standardised assessments Use of standardised assessments of accuracy and comprehension helps determine point of entry onto the programme and/or keep track of children’s progress over time

Delivery of the IGR Lesson Delivery of the IGR Lesson is always the responsibility of the class teacher