Instructional Services
What Is Reading Recovery™?
Reading Recovery™ is an effective, preventative, early literacy intervention program designed to dramatically reduce the number of children with reading and writing difficulties.
Program creator Dame Marie Clay's research has shown us that we can:
- Identify children who need help in the early years when the learning gap between low achievers and average achievers is still comparatively narrow;
- Teach children to use the skills and strategies successful readers use, emphasizing meaning and structure with as much phonetic instruction as they need to ensure understanding;
- Help most children reach the average level of their classmates within 12-20 weeks.
What Are The Key Features of Reading Recovery™?
A daily 30 minute uninterrupted Reading Recovery™ lesson is individually designed to meet the needs of each student. It is delivered by the teacher to one child at a time, in addition to the regular classroom program. A focus on strategy and skill-building enables children to make accelerated progress.
How Does The York Catholic District School Board Promote Reading Recovery™?
The York Catholic District School Board provides excellent reading and writing opportunities for all students in the regular classroom program.
Whenever possible, students who have not progressed as anticipated will be given the opportunity to catch up through participation in the Reading Recovery™ program.
How Are Students Selected?
The school team uses a set of literacy tasks called "The Observation Survey", designed by Marie Clay, to help them identify the lowest achieving six-year-old students in the Grade 1 class.
When these students have developed the skills in reading and writing that will enable them to function independently in their classrooms, they have successfully completed the program.
The Reading Recovery™ teacher will continue to read with them from time to time to ensure that they maintain their gains.
The small number of children who do not successfully complete the program, and therefore need more specialized support, are recognized early, and a wealth of information about their learning capabilities can be shared with the school team to help with future planning.
How Can I Help My Child Succeed In Reading Recovery?
1. Keep in close contact with the Reading Recovery teacher.
2. Listen to your child read the books she brings home each night.
3. Encourage her as she reassembles the cutup story from that day's lesson
. How Can I Help My Child After The Program Is Completed?
Spend 20-30 minutes each night reading and writing with your child. Here is a list of some things you can do during this special time:
1. Listen to your child read the books he brings home.
2. Suggest that your child use the pictures as an aid.
3. Put a note in your child's lunch bag for him to read.
4. Invite your child to write notes to grandparents or friends.
5. Make regular visits to the library.
6. Remember, reading and writing is fun! Enjoy!
History Of Reading Recovery™
Reading Recovery™ was developed in New Zealand by Dame Marie Clay, an educator and psychologist. It has been successfully implemented in New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, United States of America, Bermuda and Canada. The program is constantly being refined and evaluated based on over 20 years of ongoing research.
Marie Clay granted The Canadian Institute of Reading Recovery™, created in 1992, the right to register the royalty-free Reading Recovery™ trademark in order to ensure quality control.
Currently, Canada has two Reading Recovery™ trainers, 55 active teacher leaders and 1,000 Reading Recovery™ teachers working in nine provinces and one territory.
History Of Reading Recovery™
Reading Recovery™ was developed in New Zealand by Dame Marie Clay, an educator and psychologist. It has been successfully implemented in New Zealand, Australia, United Kingdom, United States of America, Bermuda and Canada. The program is constantly being refined and evaluated based on over 20 years of ongoing research.
Currently, Canada has two Reading Recovery™ trainers, 55 active teacher leaders and 1,000 Reading Recovery™ teachers working in nine provinces and one territory.
Reading Recovery™ At Our Board
Our Board was one of the provincial leaders in the implementation of Reading Recovery™. The program has been expanding steadily within our system since 1993. We hope that we will be able to offer this valuable early literacy intervention to all students who need it in the near future.
Teacher Training
The teachers selected for Reading Recovery™ are experienced, successful primary teachers who are certified based on an intensive yearlong training course. After the initial year of training, they maintain their certification through attending monthly teaching sessions and consultation with the teacher leader and their colleagues.
More Information
If you would like more information about Reading Recovery™, please contact your school principal or the Reading Recovery TM™ Teacher Leaders:
Sandy Hallarn at (905) 713-1211 x 13651- Melanie Parke at (905) 713-1211 x 13626