Rob Podlasek
Training Manager, Minnesota Literacy Council
VISTA 1987-1988

Review six best practices for running a
volunteer literacy program

Explore tools, activities and strategies for
implementing the best practices




Share your name
Share TWO interesting things about your
name
Each person in group asks you an additional
question about your name
Move to next person




Academic alignment between school and
tutoring programs (and home)
The research shows that the most successful
tutors are those who directly support the
primary instruction the students receive from
their teachers.
It is our job to help kids practice reading, not
to teach them to read.
Instructive vs. Supportive




Have the mindset that your program exists to
support what the kids are learning in school.
Choose materials/curricula that align with
what happens during the school day.
https://thecenter.spps.org/uploads/gr_2_pg_
2014-15.pdf
Look for ways to facilitate the connection
between school and afterschool
programming.

Students’ oral language background will
impact their success at reading and writing


Create programming with an oral language
component
Train volunteers to imbed oral language into
their reading activities

Un-Cool Question: How tall are you?

Cool Question: If you could go anyplace in the
world on vacation, where would it be?

Cool Question: What is your favorite flavor of
ice cream?

Reading is more than sounding out words

Reading is more than sounding out words


Phonemic Awareness
Alphabetics
Vocabulary
Fluency
Comprehension

Prior knowledge and experience



“His line was not only technical but packed with
moves that no one else was doing like a layback
tail press backside 180 out and Cab Double Cork
1260 Holy Crail grab, basically a contorted
japan and cross rocket mash up.”
“His line was not only technical but packed with
moves that no one else was doing like a layback
tail press backside 180 out and Cab Double Cork
1260 Holy Crail grab, basically a contorted
japan and cross rocket mash up.”
“His line was not only technical but packed with
moves that no one else was doing like a layback
tail press backside 180 out and Cab Double Cork
1260 Holy Crail grab, basically a contorted
japan and cross rocket mash up.”




Include instruction in all five areas in your
programming
Alphabetics instruction should be considered
supportive
Don’t neglect vocabulary and comprehension
Reading practice and comprehension
checking make for great reading
programming



Reading isn’t “fun” for everyone.
Reading isn’t “easy” for everyone.
Reading isn’t “relaxing” for everyone.

Let your volunteers experience some pain
and humility.



Let your volunteers experience some pain
and humility.
Make Literacy-focused programs include
physical activities and physical-focused
programs involve literacy activities
Set up programming so that the kids aren’t
defined simply by their reading difficulties

Having “well-trained” volunteers is a key
component in the success of reading tutoring
programs.




Create an argument about why volunteers
need training
Create a tutor job description. What will they
be DOING
Define what “well-trained” means in your
program
The skills, knowledge and attitudes they will
need to do their job well





Before they sign up to volunteer
Before their service
At the beginning of their service
During their service
At the end of their service











Pre-service training
In-service training
Web and print material
Volunteer information sessions
On-line training
Observations
On-the-job training
Student teaching
Newsletters
Email
Mentoring

What is YOUR Literacy Best Practice?




Minnesota Literacy Council Trainings
Reading Nook Blog
Minnesota Literacy Council Web Site
Assistance Developing Your Own Trainings


[email protected]
651-645-2277 x 206