Next Steps^SM

COMPONENTS OF A NEXT STEPS^SM TUTORING SESSION

Recommended twice per week - 45 minutes per session

1. Guided Reading of New Text on Instructional Level (20-22 mins)
   (Many texts take more than one day to complete)
   • Tutor introduces book with a short preview (build/activate background knowledge, point out difficult vocabulary, review previous day’s reading when appropriate).

   • Echo and/or partner read when necessary (student shows signs of fatigue: yawning, wiggling, sudden increase in errors).

   • FOCUS ON COMPREHENSION! Tutor frequently asks student to answer who-what-when-where-why type questions, to confirm prior answers, to retell, or to summarize.

2. Word Study (7-8 mins)
   
   • Tutor determines starting point (short vowel families, non-rhyming short vowels, or vowel patterns).

   • Tutor conducts word sort. If child is ready, do random check.

   • Once child shows some proficiency in random check, play Concentration, Bingo, Points, Mystery, or Speed.

   • Tutor chooses 6-8 words from sort and conducts Spellcheck (“Say it..., Match it..., Check it).

3. Fluency Reading(7-8 mins)
   
   • Student may read from an independent level text, or reread a previously read text or do repeated readings.

   • When using independent level text, tutor conducts a quick preview to build/activate student’s background knowledge.

   • For rereads or repeated readings, no preview is needed.

   • For repeated readings, use text the student has read recently on his/her instructional level. Do 2, two-minute timings a session. Do four timings per each text selected.

4. Tutor Reads to Student (7-10 mins)
   
   • This book is at the student’s listening comprehension level.

   • Tutor reads with expression and discusses content-especially unfamiliar vocabulary, syntax, and concepts.