DECODING STRATEGIES

Some guidelines for tutoring a reader who needs support eg:- when an error doesn’t make sense or when the child cannot proceed.

SILENCE – for 10/15 seconds or until you see the child stop working on the word.

1. Indicate PICTURE
2. Give a WORD that RHYMES
3. Give the WORD MEANING
4. READ AGAIN (from beginning of sentence)
5. READ ON (to the end of the sentence). {this is quite difficult for younger readers and should not be encouraged if not understood}
6. SOUND (the first letter)
7. combining 5, 7 and 6

 Helpful Strategies:

• Do not interrupt during reading unless to correct a nonsense error, then use the prompting cues shown above.
• Leave ALL praise to the END of the reading
• At the END of the reading, point out some good work done on the text eg: self-correction or sensible substitution.
• Any high-frequency (common / often used word) would lead to word work. Do not use long words: eg: caterpillar, tractor, etc.