Reading Recovery (First Grade)

  • ReadingRecovery is an early literacy intervention that provides trained one to one teaching for children who have made slower than average progress learning to read and write in their first year of school.

    Why does my child need Reading Recovery?
    There are many reasons why a child may find reading and writing difficult at first. The children taken into Reading Recovery are those who have made least progress relative to their classmates. With one to one teaching children make faster progress because the teacher can design the lessons to suit a particular child's strengths.

    How does it work?
    Your child will be taught in a one to one situation with a specially trained teacher for 30 minutes every day for a period of about 12-20 weeks, depending on how long is needed. In each day's lesson they will write a story and read many little books. Most children catch up quickly with the average level of their class. A small number of children are identified for further assessment and ongoing specialist help.

    What can I do to help my child?
    School Attendance: Daily lessons are essential for children who have found literacy learning hard. In Reading Recovery each day's lesson builds on the learning of the day before so it is very important that your child attends school every day.

    Home Support:After the first few lessons the teacher will begin to send home some easy books for independent reading. By taking an interest in and discussing what your child is reading you will provide valuable extra support. The teacher may also send home an envelope containing a cut-up version of the story your child has written that day. It is helpful if your child puts the story together again at home and reads it.

    What is a Reading Recovery lesson like?
    You are encouraged to visit the school and see how your child and their teacher work together in a Reading Recovery lesson. It is usual to wait a couple of weeks before visiting so that teacher and child have got used to working with one another. You are welcome to discuss your child's progress at any time during their series of lessons. Your interest and support will help your child make good progress in Reading Recovery.

    See Below for a link to a video of a Reading Recovery lesson