How Do We Best Do Literacy Interventions?

Literacy intervention has been weighing heavily on my mind this year as I vow to do a better job for all of my students.  I think most of us would agree that we are willing to move heaven and earth to help students become successful, yet there are times where it seems like every great idea we have is simply not enough.

And I keep wondering; what do we first focus on; engagement or strategies?  I know I always tend to lean toward student engagement first and finding a way to combine it with strategies, but I still wonder is it okay to use a program that may teach students incredible strategies to bolster their reading skills, thus making reading more accessible, even though we hear students dislike the program?  Do we focus first on re-connecting students with a like or love of reading and writing and then worry about the strategies?  I know that ideally the programs that we use would be a combination of both, but is that even possible?  Are there intervention programs out there that students actually like?  Or is it on a case by case basis?

As you can see, I have more questions than answers.  I have thoughts, sure, and I know where I tend to fall; student engagement above all, but what if this isn’t enough?  What if a child will never be fully engaged until they have mastered better reading strategies that can only be taught through repetitive means?

Therefore I wonder; what would the ideal literacy intervention program look like?  I have seen many variations, some amazing, some not so much.  I have seen an incredible combination of ideas that have worked incredibly for some students, and not so much for others.  And while I doubt that there is one right answer, there has to be an overall approach that gives us a better result for many students.  I am hoping with this post that you will share your ideas.  Lend your thoughts.

Where do we start?  Do we worry about students loving reading or writing or do we worry more about giving them the tools to master the skills needed?  Is there a right way to bolster students?

If you are looking for a great book club to join to re-energize you in January, consider the Passionate Learners book club on Facebook.  We kick off January 10th.  

Filed under: being a student, being a teacher, Literacy, questions, Reading, Student Engagement, students choice