Dedicated to positively impact the lives of adults through improved literacy.
Our tutors are regularly invited to Workshops to enhance their skills. We also have monthly Tutor Roundtables (open discussion groups) in conjunction with the R.E.A.D. program of North Ottawa County. In addition, we have a Tutor Buddy who is available to consult with tutors as needed to provide assistance with ideas for activities and lesson planning.
Once you become a Read Muskegon Tutor, you will be given the password to access other resources on this website.
Photos from our recent Tutor Appreciation Party in April 2011!
Following are additional resources. We hope that you find these helpful. If you know of others, please send the links to litcoordinator@readmuskegon.org, so that we can add them for all to use. Thank you!
The Four Different Readers
Find these tutorials on the ProLiteracy Education Network website.
The Beginning Learner:
This learner has little knowledge of letter/sound recognition. The learner may struggle sounding out three-letter words like “run” or “pot.” A tutor for this learner will be spending an extreme amount of time with activities involving phonemic awareness and phonics as well as sight word (examples: the, what, there, was) instruction. A Beginning Learner may need to meet with the tutor more than once a week in order to succeed.
This online course is beneficial for the tutor who wishes to work with The Beginning Learner:
Phonemic Awareness Instruction for Adult Literacy Learners
The Elementary Level Learner:
The Elementary Level Learner reads at a third or fourth grade reading level. This learner has the ability to read simple to multi-syllable words as well as many sight words. The Elementary Level Learner needs help with oral reading fluency (i.e. reading at a speaking pace) and vocabulary so comprehension will improve.
This online course is beneficial for the tutor who wishes to work with The Elementary Level Learner:
Developing Reading Fluency
The Graduate Learner:
The Graduate Learner reads at a middle school reading level. This learner can read the newspaper and informational text, but struggles with comprehending them. Among other literacy activities, the tutor will need to provide comprehension strategies for The Graduate Learner.
This online course is beneficial for the tutor who wishes to work with The Graduate Learner:
Before, During, and After – A Reading Comprehension Technique
The Functionally Literate Learner:
The Functionally Literate Learner reads at a high school reading level, but has a limited vocabulary. Among other literacy activities, this learner needs help in vocabulary and spelling skills and strategies.
This online course is beneficial for the tutor who wishes to work with The Functionally Literate Learner:
A Way with Words:
Strategies for Strengthening Adult Learners’ Vocabulary
Required Reading for MCC Special Course ENG 297:
Tutorials on the ProLiteracy Education Network website.
Recommended Reading:
“Research-Based Principals for Adult Basic Education Reading Instruction” can be found in pdf format at: http://www.startoolkit.org/docs/adult_ed_02.pdf
Verizon Lifespan Literacy Matrix – see pages 20-22 regarding adult learners
A Framework For Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne, Ph.D
Under-Resourced Learners – 8 Strategies to Boost Student Achievement by Ruby Payne, Ph.D
The Teacher Who Couldn’t Read by John Corcoran
Characteristics of Adult Learners compared to Youth Learners
Other Resources:
Tutor Support – recommended in Tutor Training:
The Michigan Adult Education Professional Development Project website contains helpful resources, lesson plans and more. Look under their “e-library” tab in the ”Teachers/Volunteers” section: http://www.maepd.org
Check out their free Preparing Workers materials at: http://www.maepd.org/lib-preparingworkers.html
Click here to download our Strategy Index for the Litstart Book.
This website tells reading levels of books: http://www.lexile.com
http://www.eastsideliteracy.org/tutorsupport/index.htm
http://www.ldonline.org/ldbasics
http://lincs.ed.gov/readingprofiles/FT_Introduction.htm
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/AdultEd/reading.html
http://www.muskegon-isd.k12.mi.us/academicservices/specialed/services/curriculum/
http://www.superteacherworksheets.com
http://www.resourceroom.net/index.asp
http://www.lvgh.org/weblinks.html
http://literacynetwork.verizon.org/Free-Online-Courses.21.0.html
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/default3d.aspx
http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/adlthome.htm
Dolch lists: http://www.mrsperkins.com/dolch.htm or http://www.theschoolbell.com/Links/Dolch/Dolch.html
InZone books: http://www.ngsp.com/tabid/92/Default.aspx
Recommended books:
The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease
The No. 1 Ladie’s Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Specific Needs:
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Resources – This website gives several downloadable and online checklists for ADHD. If attention deficit is suspected, the Learner needs to be referred to his/her physician or a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Common Characteristics of Dyslexia – This is a general checklist. If dyslexia is suspected, the Learner needs to be referred to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
For Learners who want to learn to read the Bible, try The Bible Experience which is an audiotape program that you can read along with. It can be found free at the Hackley Public Library.
Read Muskegon
PO Box 1312
Muskegon, MI 49443-1312
Phone: (231) 766-5040
E-mail: litcoordinator@readmuskegon.org
