IRLA Overview

IRLA OverviewSMES

IRLA ResourcesSubscribe to the IRLA Canvas course: course #: 5537

Go to the American Reading Company site and look through their resources

Bookmark SchoolPace.com on your computer

Leveling your class for the first time!

Step 1: Have students check their own levels

Allow students to create a book bin with multiple colors. Then give them time to read the books and fill out this form showing which color books felt easy, just right, and hard. When you call them to be leveled they van bring this form with them to give you an idea of where to begin. Additionally, if the student was previously a Pasco County student in K-2 and sometimes 3rd last year, you can check School Pace to see what they ended the year on, and start from there. 4

Step 2: Choose Entry Requirements

If the student has previous IRLA data, you can start with the entry requirements of that level. If the student does not have previous data (all Kindergarten, new to Pasco, and most 4th and 5th graders) then you want to use the screener. *Watch video starting at 50 second mark*If the student passes out of all phonics on the screener then begin with white vocabulary, and start focusing on screening vocabulary. 5

Screen First? Your Choice!One option can be to screen your whole class first and categorize them so that you can level like students on the same day.

You can also screen the students as you go.

Give status of class handout6

Step 3: Must Meet Entry RequirementsPhonics (1G-2R)Vocabulary (White and up)Accuracy & FluencyComprehension

RememberJust because a student can master the entry requirements, it does not necessarily mean you will go onto the next level. Remember comprehension is just as important as the foundational skills. Think about- Can the student apply all the common core reading standards to this text?

If the student cannot meet the entry requirements, try the level below.

What do the colors really mean?

Color Progression

What do the colors mean?Yellow: patterns and ability to reason

Green: 1G- sight words 2G- sight words and initial blends and diagraphs

Blue: 1B: decoding and vowel teams 2B: Look for known word parts, chunking

Point out that the colors are associated with a grade level and include grade level standards, however, they are also grouped by developmental reading stages. They should be looking for signs and clues of students mastering sight words and moving on to vowel teams and then putting it all together with chunking. Looking at students for their abilities using this information will help level them in a more efficient way and to provide them with power goals that are11

What do the colors mean?Red: 1R- 3 letter blends, 3 syllable words, move away from decoding 2R- multi-syllabic words, sustained reading, chapter book habit

White: acquiring literary vocabulary, developing silent reading fluency

Black: reading books in a series

Give time to share. Ah has

Share questions and concerns. 12

What do the colors mean?Orange: increased vocabulary demands, able to read multiple genres

Purple: complex sentence structure and assumes background knowledge

Skill cards

Discuss: Skills cards not only allow you to see the primary focus of that color level, but they have goals in a friendly language.

Show them how to find skill cards on American Reading Company site14

How do I choose a power goal?In 1G 1R phonics are the priority90% of power goals come from entry requirementsSkill cards

Make sure to mention to keep grade level in mind. Possible example:A student in 3rd Grade who is a 2 Blue reader will not have a comprehension Power Goal. Their goal is to master the phonics that are keeping them below grade level. However a Kindergartener who is a 2 Blue reader is far above grade level and who need to engage in comprehension at the Blue level.So there are three things to consider when assigning Power Goals: Where should they be? What is the priority of this level? What do they need based on the conference?15

What to consider when choosing a power goalWhere should they be? (grade level target)

What is the priority of this color level?

What do they need based on the conference?

Example Power Goal Cards

Example Primary Power Goals

Example Power Goal Card

Example Power Goal Card

Example Power Goal Card

eIRLA

Have everyone log into eIRLA to explore. Navigate through mine showing major points.22

ConferencesMaking a class scheduleConference protocol routines

Things to Remember:Conferences should be 5-8 minutes.Allocate conference slots equitably, not equally (emergency readers should be conferenced with more frequently).Work with students reading on the same level on the same day when possible. This will help you develop your expertise in this level.Post your conference schedule so that you and your students know who you will conference with each day.

Plan for 2 weeks On Level At least 1x every 2 weeks At Risk At least 2x every 2 weeks Emergency At least 3x every 2 weeks

You should be able to have 2-4 conferences each day in your 30 minutes. With an average of 3 conferences a day, you have about 30 spots in a 2 week school calendar.

Lets Practice Making a Class ScheduleScenario:You are a 3rd grade teacherIt is the third week of school

Practice:Using the class list and 2 week calendar, find a partner and make a 2 week conference schedule for the class

Conference Protocol

What do students need to know when they leave a conference?Their colorTheir goal (in language they can understand)How they can practice their goal. Model!

Dates to Know:Independent reading routines are implemented: Friday, 9/4/15All students leveled and entered into School Pace: Friday, 9/11/15Conference schedules are being used and are posted in your classroom: 9/14/15 On Level At least 1x every 2 weeks At Risk At least 2x every 2 weeks Emergency At least 3x every 2 weeks