SharpReading/Helping the Struggling Older Reader

Helping the Struggling Older Reader

ONLiNE Course

Getting those Struggling Older Readers back on track

SEVENPLUS - A simple 10 week intervention that works!
And then a transition back into a 'normal' guided reading program.

Rationale for this Course

Every classroom has them, those 8-15 year olds who never got to decoding fluency and are slowly drifting further and further behind their peers. 

This course has been designed to address these needs. With just a few hours of online study you can master our two simple routines and integrate them into your normal reading rotation or slot them into your program as a 15 minute group withdrawal.

A key component of this course is our 8-10 week intervention (SevenPlus) that will get these students over the decoding hump, and then we show you how to transition your rejuvenated readers back into a more traditional guided reading program.

Our approach is based on reader SUCCESS ... such an important ingredient for these success deprived students.

Click on the link above for a full explanation of the research supporting our SevenPlus intervention.  This was written by Chuck Marriott (co-writer /designer of SevenPlus) and published by the New Zealand Literacy Association

Do you want to have a look under the bonnet?

Make a start on this course in PREVIEW mode

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The Struggling Older Reader ... What do YOU get?

A very well thought out training methodology - Great processes for the students

Online training

We want you to succeed!

We have spent many hours on our course design to ensure it caters for a whole range of learning preferences.

On-your-own learning
If you want to go it alone then go for it - our written and video explanations, tasks and quizzes will help you to process and apply this new knowledge (use it or lose it)

Live face-to-face tutoring
If you learn best through interaction with a tutor our Zoom webinars and Zoom coaching are all included when you enrol.

And LOOK at all those resources!

Resources, Resources, Resources

Everything you need is included - valued at over $100

  • Testing and screening procedures for both programs

  • StoryBytes and InfoBytes formatted for SevenPlus - enough material for 120 lessons

  • Illustrated StoryBytes for '5 Bits lessons

  • Teacher Scripts, Planning Templates, charts, and learning outcomes

  • A printable 24 page Course Book for at-your-fingertips classroom reference

  • An extensive SevenPlus manual with lots of additional resources, information and research references

Twelve Months Access to the ONLiNE Course

As there are two distinct programs included, 12 months gives you plenty of time to tackle them one at a time when you and your students are ready for them.

Start-Up Zoom Webinar

We find a 2-hour webinar is a great opportunity to make sure you get the SEVENPLUS routine exactly right (very important). You can schedule this when you are ready using our appointments calendar in Unit 1.

Zoom Coaching and Zoom Accreditation

Use your 2 x 30 minute coaching sessions to iron out any difficulties or get teacher accreditation.

Additional Support

These options are always available during your 12 months access.

  • Email us if you can't problem-solve a query

  • COMING SOON - Be a part of our Online Learning Community. Connect with other Struggling Older Reader teachers

Outcomes for your students

1. A Clear Learning Pathway for your Students (and you)

  • The focus is on 'keep it simple' - an essential for struggling readers.

2. Structured Routines - Explicit Teaching and Independent Practice

  • The teaching should never overwhelm the student

  • 10-12 minute lessons keep students in the zone

  • Only one Learning Focus per lesson

  • Highly predictable routines allow the students to feel in control of their practice

  • Scaffolding ensures students experience success

3. Satisfaction - Students are very motivated because they experience success with text they would normally think is too difficult!

What Teachers say about SevenPlus

"The impact has been huge! Our struggling Year 6 students from last year have been 'normalised'. The Year 7 teachers are saying that they are slotting into the Year 7 program (junior secondary) without the need for extra specialist reading help."  

Shalene, Year 6 teacher, Glasshouse Christian School, QLD.

Maria, Year 5 Teacher

"Once they realise that there is a routine and that routine is the same every day, they are much happier to take part and take risks."

Stephanie, Teacher

"They can see that they are getting better at decoding and also that they are reading text now that is far more difficult than they are used to."

Peter, Teacher

“SevenPlus and The 5 Bits have been so easy to fit into my reading programme. I think the teaching routines are brilliant." 

Feel confident that there IS something you can do!

If you are a teacher anywhere across the age range of 8-15 year-olds you may be well removed from art of basic reading instruction and talk of phonics is like being introduced to a new language.  But you are very aware of those students in your class who do not have the reading skills they need to progress across the curriculum and you can see their motivation and feeling of self-worth about learning draining away

You need something but you are time poor and can't commit to any extensive study on the subject. 

This course will give you answers. We will share our insights into the most common problem these readers face and some simple but very effective tools that you can pick up and put into action very quickly.

It may not work for everyone, but we have some pretty compelling data gathered over the last 6 years that says it will make a difference for many.

Writer's of the Course - Your Tutors

Hilton and Chuck began collaborating on this project in 2015, bringing together their expertise to provide a solution to this perennial problem of the reader who struggles to make progress in reading and gets further and further behind.

Chuck's work as a Resources Teacher of Literacy meant many hours working with these students, formulating activities that made a difference. Hilton brought his experience of developing tightly structured routines to help the teacher deliver lessons that encourage and empower these learners. The result is our SevenPlus Intervention which we are both very proud of. We are both constantly delighted by the feedback that we receive on its efficacy.

Frequently asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I know if this is appropriate for my students?

If your students are 7-15 years old and reading two or more years behind their chronological age then our SevenPlus Intervention is more than likely going to help. Testing procedures are included in the course so that you can quickly identify whether they meet the criteria for our SevenPlus intervention.  If they pass the test then the second part of the course "The 5 Bits" guided reading routine will build their confidence and get them back up to speed.

What is your main point of difference to other approaches?

If your students are 7-15 years old and reading two or more years behind their chronological age then our SevenPlus Intervention is more than likely going to help. Testing procedures are included in the course so that you can quickly identify whether they meet the criteria for our SevenPlus intervention.  If they pass the test then the second part of the course "The 5 Bits" guided reading routine will build their confidence and get them back up to speed.

What research is this based on?

The routines are well supported by research. This is all carefully documented in the SevenPlus manual that you receive as part of the course and in the article published by the NZ Literacy Association.

Is this approach suitable for students with severe learning difficulties?

Generally speaking we say no it isn't. The ideal candidates for SevenPlus are those who have failed to develop decoding fluency and are therefore performing below the expected level but would not be classified as being in the extreme category. The learner must have some letter sound knowledge and this is quickly identified in the initial screening test. Having said that, we have had good results with students with dyslexia. 

As a senior school teacher, do I need to have an extensive knowledge of phonics?

No this is not a requirement. Many upper school teachers have a very limited knowledge of basic reading instruction and we aimed to provide something that they could pick up quickly and easily without having to commit themselves to a lot of study. You will easily pick up the basics you need as you go.

Can all teachers at my school use these resources?

The Struggling Older Reader ONLiNE Course and all the attached resources are sold as a one-user licence. If you have a significant number of teachers wanting to do this training, then we do offer a 5 User School Licence at a 40% discounted price. You can order this by clicking on the special offer button below or the pay on Invoice button and selecting site/school licence.