Learning to Read in English: Week 1: Initial Assessment

Week 1: Initial Assessment

Joe's Planner:
Tutoring Planner: Week 1

Goals

Practice letter names and sounds
Engage Ruben in conversation about reading
Introduce a wordless book

Activities

Conduct initial assessment
Pre-reading conversation — observe understanding of concepts of print
Reading a wordless book
Post-reading conversation
Drawing/writing activity

Materials

Picture book
Paper
Index cards
Pencils
Colored pens

Tutor Reflections

I've chosen a wordless book so Ruben will feel comfortable "reading," even if he can't read on his own.
I'll also ask Ruben to write his name to see how well he's doing with his letters.

Joe and Ruben meet and settle in a corner of the classroom for their first session. Joe begins by talking a little bit with Ruben to get to know him, to hear how he uses language when talking informally, and to help him feel comfortable and not nervous about meeting with a new tutor.

Joe asks Ruben what he likes best about school. Ruben says: "Lunch and art." Joe says that his favorite class in school was always art. He asks if Ruben does a lot of drawing and suggests they might include some drawing in their activities. Joe then takes out two books and asks if Ruben likes books. Ruben says he likes books, but he can't read.

Joe places two wordless books on the table: The Snowy Day and Good Dog Carl

Joe: What do you notice about these books?
Ruben: (Thumbs through the books). There aren't any words — just pictures. That's weird.
Joe: Why?
Ruben: The books we read in class have words.
Joe: In these books, the pictures tell the story without words. Why don't you pick one and we'll "read" the pictures together.
Ruben: (Picks Good Dog Carl.)

Joe notes that Ruben is quite comfortable speaking English. He decides to use Good Dog Carl to find out more about Ruben's vocabulary and his ability to describe the events in the story. Using a wordless book is a comfortable activity for most students because they don't have to try to read words.

Joe decides to begin the activity. Should he:
A. … Hand Ruben the book and observe what he does with it? Does he know which way to hold the book? Is he able to look at the pictures and "tell" a story from them?	B. … Show Ruben the book and talk with him about what the story might be about based on the cover picture? He can also show Ruben how to hold the book and turn the pages.	C. … Hold the book and tell the story to Ruben?
See This Choice	See This Choice	See This Choice

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