TLC Monthly Webinar for Tutor Coordinators May 10, :00 – 2:00 pm

Agenda Refresher on use of webinar platform, Collaborate Assisting volunteer tutors with the content of instruction – Reading – Writing Sharing Next TC webinar – DATE CHANGE: June 20, 2012, 1:00–2:00pm

Navigation of Collaborate To talk… To type… To note approval, etc… Raise hand… Yes/no

Assisting Tutors with the Content of Instruction Topic chosen as a result of survey completed by Tutor Coordinators Specific questions? Identifying needs of learners – Assessment Strategies and Reading Profiles: Tutor support

Encouraging Reading Practice Ensure that your learner understands the importance of reading practice through frequent discussions. Help your learner figure out a time and a place to practice. Help your student identify and access reading material at the independent level. Remind your student to use fix up strategies when encountering difficult words or when comprehension breaks down.

Helping People Learn to Read Provide models, allow learners to see others read or have others read to them. Have a purpose for reading and learning. Reinforce the learner’s confidence in his or her ability to learn. Have access to interesting, stimulating reading materials. Provide support and encouragement as well as reinforcement from others. Teach reading skills.

Techniques for Teaching Reading to Low Level Adult Readers - Activity The goal is to create a lesson to use with the learner whom you tutor. As you develop your lesson keep the following things in mind: On what component(s) of reading do you want to focus? – decoding – fluency – vocabulary – comprehension What SMART goal does the learner have that is connected to the purpose of this lesson? What is/are the measurable objective(s) for your lesson? – At the end of this session, the learner will be able to … What strategy or strategies will you use to teach the skill? What materials will you use to present this lesson? How will you directly teach the skill(s) and present it/them in a variety of manners? How will you provide direct, intensive instruction that actively engages the learner? Have you included guided practice in the lesson? Have you included independent practice? Have you allowed for multiple opportunities for the learner to practice the skill? How will you present the task in parts and then put it back together? How will you demonstrate to the learner that this is an important skill to learn? Have you allowed for reflection time at the end of the session to discuss the effectiveness of the lesson?

Helping People Learn to Write Provide models, allow learners to see others write. Have a purpose for writing. Reinforce the learner’s confidence in his or her ability to learn. Use many examples of writing, show different kinds of writing used for different purposes. Provide support and encouragement as well as reinforcement from others. Teach writing skills.

Helping People Learn to Write Those with good verbal communication skills may be frustrated with their writing abilities because they are not able to write at the same level at which they can talk. Writing is an expressive language which requires recall, unlike reading which is a receptive language, requiring recognition. Writing is a more difficult task than reading so weak readers usually avoid writing. Students with weak spelling skills may have difficulty choosing a topic to write about because they look for something with words that they can spell.

Real Life Applications for Writing  Writing checks  Paying bills  Making a grocery list  Writing a phone message  Leaving a note to someone  Filling out an application  Completing a form  Requesting information  Writing a letter  Sharing thoughts

Techniques for Applying Writing  Make a list  Language experience stories  Write an advertisement  Do an advice column  Create a bedtime story  Give directions  Write down a dream  Predict a weather forecast  Free writing  Paraphrasing  Write a journal

Online Support for Tutors Reading and Writing Wiggio, facilitated by Dianne Baycich: The Writing Center, Capella: ProLiteracy’s EdNet Online Courses: Writing Lessons: Tutoring Adult Learners Using the Internet – Reading Section: – Writing Section: – Low Level Learner Sites: learner-sites learner-sites

Highlights and Challenges Please share highlights of your past month. Are you facing any challenges for which you would like input from your peers?

Thank you! Next Tutor Coordinator Webinar Wednesday, June 20, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (please note this is a date change, June 20 is the correct date)