Reading Together provides direct, systematic instruction in the essential reading components, with an emphasis on fluency and comprehension. It is a research based, interactive program designed to enhance, not replace, core reading curricula for the 15 to 50 percent of students who will fall below grade level despite the best efforts of classroom teachers.  

Under the supervision of a trained coordinator, cross-age tutors or adult mentors follow scripted lesson plans, modeling strategies for intentional thinking and interacting with text. Tutors then guide their tutees in using these best practices independently. All language arts – listening, speaking, reading and writing – are practiced in each lesson, as recommended by the National Reading Panel. Students are exposed to a wide range of rich, authentic literature, including informational and procedural, supporting content in language arts, social studies and science.

What is the format? Each school needs a quarter-time coordinator, who is trained by Learning Together to work with one or more teams of 15 tutors. Reading Together supports a gradual release of responsibility from tutor to tutee, until tutees engage in true independent reading. Each 45-minute tutorial follows a similar format, so tutors and tutees know what to expect and move comfortably through each of the 30 lessons.

• Phase I (15 lessons) Tutor directed: tutor models fluent reading and think aloud
• Phase II (12 lessons) Shared responsibility: tutor/tutees share reading a trade book
• Phase III (3 lessons) Independent reading: tutee selects books from media center
  Summer programs are condensed to 15 lessons. 

Who benefits? Reading Together targets students who decode at grade level, but who are below grade-level proficiency in fluency and comprehension. Writing skills and vocabulary also are strengthened by activities, letters and graphic organizers at the end of each lesson. Because of the interactive nature of the lessons, we've seen great results with intermediate and advanced English Language Learners!

Our educational consultants will recommend tutee selection criteria based on assessments already in place in your district. Tutees in Reading Together Grade Two, for example, generally fall within the 10-20 DRA reading level, or have been recommended by their teachers for confidence or motivational issues. Contact us for help selecting the right grade-level Reading Together program for your target students.