Sharp Reading Workshop with Hilton Ayrey - 'The struggling older reader'

After attending the Sharp reading workshop it was great to talk with other teachers and people in the education sector about common problems identified with the 'struggling older reader'.

Some of the issues we identified were:

• Students mind set towards reading- 'I suck at reading', 'I hate reading' etc
• Personal vocabulary knowledge-personal word bank 
• Inferring skills, spending so much time decoding that they can't focus on the comprehension
• Finding suitable texts they enjoy
• Assessments to identify issues students might have

I have found from worker worth older students one of the biggest I face with students who are struggling with reading is their personal word bank. Their ability to recognise words and if not have quick decoding strategies. Some of these students have also not heard or been exposed to new vocabulary.

The Sharp Reading Course focuses by Hilton Ayrey and Chuck Marriot focuses on the struggling older reading. It aims to give students a decoding strategy that works for 60% of words and focuses on syllables. They identified that by a certain age if students haven't gained a sound phonological awareness then it is time to move on and give them something else which I found really interesting. 

Next term (term 2) I am going to start using this course. I have identified the students and am looking at groups. I am really excited to see some progress for these students and hopefully help to encourage an enjoyment for reading for these students.