Interventions for Middle Grade Struggling Readers

(Grades 4-6) / Flex Course

PDI Course Number: 111T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC40245

Course Description

Do you have struggling readers in your class? Are you challenged to find strategies that can truly help these readers become successful? This online course begins by introducing the building blocks of the reading process and the role that each of them plays in effective reading instruction. Evidence-based interventions are explored as they relate to deficits in phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension skills. Teachers will learn how to incorporate the use of think-alouds, interactive read-alouds, graphic organizers, and hi-lo books to improve their students' background knowledge, vocabulary knowledge, and understanding of text structure. Teachers will also learn how to weave a variety of strategies into their content curriculum so that students can more effectively comprehend informational texts. Teachers will explore the critical role that informal assessments play in the teaching of reading and how these assessments can be used to create targeted remediation plans for struggling readers. By the end of the course, teachers will understand how to best help their struggling readers so that they can make dramatic improvements in reading skills and comprehension. This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from UC San Diego Extension. For detailed information on university credit, click here.

"As an 18 year teacher, I found the content very valuable to reflecting on my current literacy practices. I will be applying a lot of what I learned this school year, and the content helped me gain a better understanding of striving readers and how to support them." - Melissa Morabito

Required Resource Book

This course has a modestly-priced required resource book (available in both new and used versions) that can be purchased through Amazon using the following link. Note that you can begin and participate in your course before the book arrives.

From Striving to Thriving: How to Grow Confident, Capable Readers by Stephanie Harvey and Annie Ward

If you are registering for multiple courses, use the following link to access the book list for all PDI courses with direct purchase links through Amazon. PDI Course Resource Book List