Sample Plans

Here are five examples (no real names are used) Meet Bradley, Jennifer, Elise, Jeff, and Charlotte:

Bradley ~ is preparing for a poetry competition.

GOALS: Be prepared to present student's own poems at the competition with confidence. Achieve mastery over poetry skills for grade level.

OBJECTIVES: Complete baseline diagnostic test. Review poetry terminology. Read a variety of poems and identify poetry styles. Listen to poems as read by other poets (youtube). Read poems aloud. Identify different meters and rhyming schemes. Create word banks. Student will practice reading his own poems aloud and respond to suggestions concerning presentation. (NOTE: I will not proofread or edit a student's own creative work. We discuss presentation and the writer's own purpose, only.) Complete final quiz and discuss progress.

Timeline: Variable. Meet as often as needed to be ready for the competition.

Jennifer ~ wants a top score on a high school entrance exam.

GOALS: Improve current scores on practice tests.

OBJECTIVES: Administer Barron's diagnostic test for the specific entrance exam. Use the Barron's book for test preparation. Identify strengths and areas needing targeted review. Identify test taking skills. Complete final diagnostic. Review progress. (NOTE: I find using the Barron's test prep to be invaluable. However, if the student is already using the current series in class, we can consider other test prep series or an earlier edition.)

Timeline: 4 weeks. We meet as often as needed before the exam.

Elise ~ wants to feel comfortable reading aloud and answering questions in her English class. English is not her first language and she is also shy.

GOAL: Gain confidence as a reader and speaker of the English language.

OBJECTIVES: Complete baseline diagnostic test. Review basic English language terminology used in the text book and other classwork. Learn 20 new vocabulary words. Conduct practice spelling bees. Compare popular phrases across both languages. Complete reading comprehension exercises. Complete read aloud exercises. Write three short essays on topics of interest. Read essays aloud. Complete final quiz and review and discuss progress.

Timeline: 3 weeks. Meet twice a week.

OPTIONAL: Over the summer, Elise returns to join a literature circle on ZOOM or in-person with 2 other students of similar age OR Elise joins a local reader's theater.

Timeline: Variable.

Jeff ~ is an on-target student who would rather play computer games than read a book. If he doesn't do his homework and keep up with classroom assignments, he can quickly become a struggling student.

GOAL: Develop a study schedule. Emphasize the importance of reading in all areas of life (e.g., school, entertainment, knowledge, career, mastery). Determine external and internal motivations to complete homework and stick to a study schedule.

OBJECTIVES: Complete baseline diagnostic test. Complete survey of interesting topics to read. Select a few books to read for fun. Learn study skills and understand the importance of good study habits. Review course materials, homework and exams that have already been graded, and read ahead in the chapter. Use computer programs and games for study (e.g., Kahoot!, IXL, online Chess). Complete final diagnostic quiz and review and discuss progress.

Timeline: 12 weeks. Meet once a week.

OPTIONAL: Over the summer, Jeff returns to join a literature circle on ZOOM or in-person with 2 other students of similar age and reading interests.

Timeline: Variable.

Charlotte ~ is a struggling student who does her homework and keeps up with classroom assignments but gets discouraged because she is receiving poor grades. She is a hard worker.

GOAL: Develop a study schedule. Develop a system of rewards at home for engaging in classroom work and completing homework assignments. Understand student strengths and encourage applying a wide variety of student strengths to each task. Identify new ways to bring up scores in the classroom.

OBJECTIVES: Complete baseline diagnostic test. Continue with IXL diagnostics. Review study skills and habits. Establish a well-lit, comfortable desk and reading area at home. Review course materials, homework and exams that have already been graded, and read ahead in the chapter. Keep a weekly journal of work completing, feelings about the work and about the classroom experience, grades, and new skills and knowledge gained. Identify new interests. Complete final diagnostic quiz and review and discuss progress.

Timeline: 12 weeks. Meet once a week.

Karena ~ is a young student who is learning to read English in 2nd grade. She is above grade level in her native language, Swedish. She does her homework and keeps up with classroom assignments but gets discouraged because she is receiving poor grades. Her school does not provide one-on-one support, although she and her family enjoy the school program otherwise.

GOAL: Achieve proficiency at grade level in Reading. Once achieved, pursue above grade level reading skills. Enter school Spelling Bee and compete (even if Karena does not win the top prize, competing is a good goal - winning is nice but showing up is 9/10th of the battle!).

OBJECTIVES: Complete baseline IXL diagnostic tests in Reading skills. Continue with IXL diagnostics. Create a small home library of English books from Scholastic for grades K-3. Include the classics, contemporary fiction, and non-fiction on topics of Karena's choice. Drill on phonics, fluency, word recognition, spelling, punctuation, reading aloud, and reading comprehension. Encourage continued reading in first language. Complete final diagnostic quiz and review and discuss progress.

Timeline: 12 weeks. Meet three times a week. Note that this model can work for students entering the school system from any other country and language sills, and it can be modified by age.