Getting started

• Find out the students’ current reading skills and behaviours using the Record of Reading Behaviours assessment tool.
• Group students with similar learning needs (4 to 6 students in a group is ideal for most).
• Select a pair of books at the appropriate reading level for the students in the group, taking into account the students’ learning needs and interests.
• Decide which book you will teach first.
• Conduct the reading lesson with the students (supportive Lesson Plans are provided for each pair of books).
• During the lesson, assess students’ reading informally. The Lesson Plans provide assessment points.
• Have the students complete activities related to the specific book (see Lesson Plans for an extensive list of possible activities).
• Teach the second book in the same way.
• Have students work through the ‘talking about the pair’ activities to synthesise the ideas about the topic presented in each book.
• Repeat with other books from the level or move on to a more challenging level according to students’ learning.