Tutoring a child in the area of literacy?

Question

I'm going to be tutoring a student about 4 hours a week this summer. He is a special ed student (LD) going to be in 8th grade and we will work on everything literacy (phonics/ word attack skills, reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, test taking skills, etc). Reading is his deficient area and the parent's goal is for him to make dramatic progress so that he can be mainstreamed into a regular class. The child reads on probably a 4th grade level.

What can I do to maximize the results with such little time? I agreed to work with him but any additional tips?

*I know the parents are poor and it's going to be a struggle for them to pay me. I'm not trying to break their pockets but he needs a lot of intensive instruction in this area.

Answer 1

Here are some very good resources that you could adapt.

Teaching Resources

http://www.pbs.org/

http://www.learnnc.org/

http://www.wacona.com/

http://www.2020site.org/

http://www.abcteach.com/

http://www.4teachers.org/

http://www.mste.uiuc.edu/

http://www.btinternet.com/

http://www.mrnussbaum.com/

http://www.englishforums.com/

http://www.schoolexpress.com/

http://www.sitesforteachers.com/

http://www.4teachers.org/archive/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/teachers/

http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/3-5.htm

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.ht...

Answer 2

I had good results by finding Word Frequency Lists online... these lists will have the 1,000 most common words in the English language.  And that's a great place to start.  As for reading, I interviewed the child to find out what interested him.  Then I went to the library and found plenty of books (yes, many with pictures)  for us to read TOGETHER.  I would read the first page, for example, and he would then read the second page.  I would always help with any word he didn't know... I would just give it to him... I did not work on word attack skills at this time (it takes away from my goal of comprehension).  After reading, I'd ask questions over what we read together... we'd go back and look if unsure.  By the way, since you mentioned this was a boy, I strongly recommend you begin by focusing on NONFICTION.  Educational research shows that boys prefer nonfiction to fiction.

Answer 3

Have you used leveled readers before?  I've used Goodman's Five-Star Readers with great success http://www.glencoe.com/  (select Jamestown Reading Supplemental Materials, then select Reading Fiction, then select Goodman's).  The great thing about leveled readers is that you can choose a book on his level.  You can read with him in class, showing him the reading strategies he needs for success, but then he can take the book home and read and practice on his own.  The text won't be too hard and he will be successful right away.  These books will come in levels of half-year increments - 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5.  I would get at least 4th - 6th grade to start.  You will be amazed at the progress he will make.  Incorporating these books will serve to extend your teaching time because he can do some of his practice on his own.  That will allow you to spend tutoring time reading more challenging books with him, providing him with the one-on-one support he will need for that.