Dedicated to positively impacting the lives of adults through improved literacy.
We hope that you find these resources helpful. If you know of others, please let us know by emailing litcoordinator@readmuskegon.org, so that we can add them for all to use. Thank you!
The Four Different Readers
Find these tutorials at Free Thinkfinity Training: http://literacynetwork.verizon.org/TLN/courses
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 from Thinkfinity Literacy Network 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 from Thinkfinity Literacy Network 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.
These online courses from Thinkfinity Literacy Network are beneficial for the tutor who wishes to work with The Graduate Learner:
Building Comprehension
Strategies for Adolescence and Adult Learners
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.
These online courses from Thinkfinity Literacy Network are 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:
“Applying Research in Reading Instruction for Adults – First Steps for Teachers” by Susan McShane can be found in pdf format at: http://www.nifl.gov/publications/pdf/applyingresearch.pdf
Tutorials at Free Thinkfinity Training: http://literacynetwork.verizon.org/TLN/courses
Recommended Reading:
“Research-Based Principals for Adult Basic Education Reading Instruction” can be found in pdf format at: http://www.nifl.gov/publications/pdf/adult_ed_02.pdf
A Framework For Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne, Ph.D
Under-Resourced Learners – 8 Strategies to Boost Student Achievement by Ruby Payne, Ph.D
Other Websites:
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
http://www.eastsideliteracy.org/tutorsupport/index.htm
http://www.nifl.gov/readingprofiles/
http://www.muskegon-isd.k12.mi.us/departments/special-ed/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.freerice.com/
http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/adlthome.htm
http://www.llcoop.org/
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
Specific Needs:
Attention Deficit Disorder Checklist – This is a general checklist. 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
