Credit for the program’s success is due in part to the high quality of the materials and the training provided to tutors. Trained professionals work with Reading Network tutors to make sure they know how best to help students improve their skills and their enjoyment of reading.

Tutors participate in ongoing training with a coordinator based at the school. Student progress is monitored weekly and appropriate support and feedback are provided to the tutors.

Each tutorial session follows a scripted format so tutors and students know what to expect and can move comfortably through each lesson. Materials include a tutor guidebook, student activity book, and a high-quality trade book.

Two, three-hour tutor training sessions are provided for all tutors. Volunteers may attend training sessions conducted by the school coordinator at the local school or attend systemwide training sessions conducted by central office staff.

Books

• The Tutor’s Guidebook provides detailed instructions for carrying out each lesson, passages to be read, and includes instructions and materials used with the post reading activity.
• The Tutee’s Guidebook provides passages to be read as tutors and tutees work together, and includes activity sheets and relevant materials.
• The trade books used are picture books that motivate and encourage active readers.

Phase 1: 15 Lessons

As tutees progress through the three phases of the program they accept more responsibility in independent reading. In Phase I during a read aloud of a trade book the tutors model and think aloud for their tutees. Tutors and tutees then share activities focusing on short reading passages. Tutors offer support as their tutees read selected passages.

Phase 2: 12 Lessons

During Phase II tutors and tutees take share responsibility as they take turns reading from carefully selected trade books.

Phase 3: 3 Lessons

Independent reading is the goal of the three lessons in Phase III. Tutees learn to select books from the school media center and/or public library.

Structure of the Tutorial Lesson (one hour)

1. Warm-up chat
2. Tutor reads aloud from a book to the tutee in order to improve listening and comprehension skills.
3. Before reading activities: tutee predicts content using picture and title, tutor asks questions, clarifies vocabulary, and leads discussion.
4. First reading of the passage by tutee: tutor encourages, corrects mistakes, and records on progress form.
5. Tutee responds to questions asked by the tutor, and tutor clarifies vocabulary.
6. Tutee re-reads the passage. Tutor encourages, corrects mistakes, and records on progress form.
7. Tutee retells the passage.
8. Tutee responds to comprehension questions and tutor clarifies vocabulary and leads discussion.
9. Tutor and tutee carry out the post-reading activity.
10. Tutor and tutee complete take-home letter and interact at tutor’s discretion.
11. Debriefing: tutors write in their journals and communicate with the coordinator about the lesson.