Ms McDonagh is a trained Reading Recovery Teacher. We are very lucky to have this programme running in our school. This one to one intervention helps children who may have challenges with early reading skills.
Reading Recovery is a programme of intensive instruction in reading and writing for children in senior infants and first class. It consists of a series of half hourly daily lessons which may last from anything between twelve and twenty weeks. The programme is completed when the child attains reading and writing levels which are at or below above the average for their class. Children between the ages of 5:9 and 6:7 are considered for the programme. The weakest ten children of the appropriate age are tested. Children are tested on word and letter knowledge, writing vocabulary, dictation and concepts about print . The lessons consist of familiar reading, working with words (letterwork phonics word patterns with magnetic letters) writing and learning to write new words and reading a new book. Children progress through the levels of the PM series. When the child can read a book level at 95% accuracy he may proceed to the next level. Generally speaking, a first class may be discontinued when he reaches level 20 and a child in senior infants level 16.
