ELAR Module 28 Performance Assessment Instructions 570574

ELAR Module 28 Performance Assessment Instructions: Directions Part I

Review the teacher's notes on the three informal reading inventories attached. For each student’s informal reading inventory, record any reading behavior that occurred during the assessment beyond checkmarks, describe what the student did when reading, indicate if the behavior counts as an error, and calculate each student’s reading accuracy. Identify each student's reading level (independent, instructional, or frustrational).

Part II: Analyze Kaleb's reading errors by reviewing the errors, identifying two patterns of errors indicating specific skills he struggled with, and list two strategies per pattern to help improve his word recognition. Upload your completed assessment and review the grading rubric to ensure all requirements are met.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Effective assessment of reading proficiency is essential in guiding instructional strategies for diverse learners. The use of informal reading inventories (IRIs) provides educators with valuable insights into students’ reading behaviors, error patterns, and overall levels of decoding skills. The comprehensive analysis of these assessments enables targeted interventions that can improve reading fluency and comprehension. This paper will demonstrate the evaluation process of three students’ IRIs, analyze their reading errors with an emphasis on Kaleb’s error patterns, and recommend strategies for improvement based on current research and best practices.

Part I: Reading Behaviors, Accuracy, and Level Identification

For each student, I observed varied reading behaviors during the IRIs, including behaviors that were beyond simple checkmarks, such as substituting words, hesitating, self-correcting, or requesting assistance. These behaviors serve as indicators of decoding difficulties or reading fluency issues. Descriptions included noting when students paused, substituted words, or paused excessively, indicating possible recognition struggles. Each observed behavior was classified as an error if it diverged from accurate decoding without correction. Calculating reading accuracy involved dividing the number of correctly read words by total words in each passage, providing a percentage that determines whether the student reads independently (>95%), instructionally (90-95%), or frustrationally (

For Ricardo, a sixth-grade student age 11, the total words in the passage were 136, with a total of 5 errors identified through observations. His reading accuracy was calculated as (136-5)/136 ≈ 96.3%, indicating an independent reading level. Ricardo exhibited some minor hesitations but primarily decoded words accurately. His behavior suggested confidence and fluency typical of an independent reader.

Adriana, also in sixth grade at age 11 with 172 words in her passage, made 12 errors, resulting in a reading accuracy of approximately 93%. Her behaviors included substitution errors and occasional self-corrections, placing her at an instructional reading level. These behaviors reflect her need for strategic support in decoding more complex words or unfamiliar vocabulary.

Kaleb, similarly aged, read a passage with 142 words and made 8 errors, producing an accuracy of roughly 94.4%, also placing him at the instructional level. Observations showed that Kaleb frequently hesitated and substituted words with similar sounds, indicating specific decoding challenges that require targeted instructional strategies.

Part II: Error Pattern Identification and Strategy Development

Analyzing Kaleb’s errors revealed two recurring patterns: difficulties with multisyllabic words and struggles with vowel patterns. Specifically, Kaleb consistently misread words like “burrowing” and “collected,” often simplifying or omitting syllables, which points to challenges in decoding multisyllabic words. He also frequently struggled with vowel digraphs and diphthongs, such as misreading “dance” as “dane” or “gather” as “gater.”

The first pattern, multisyllabic word decoding difficulty, suggests a need to strengthen syllable division and decoding strategies. Educators can implement activities such as syllable sorting and chunking exercises, where students learn to break words into manageable parts, enhancing recognition and pronunciation. For example, using multisyllabic word cards and practicing syllable division patterns helps build awareness of syllable boundaries, facilitating more accurate decoding (Vogt & Perfetti, 2014).

The second pattern linked to vowel pattern difficulties can be addressed by explicit instruction of vowel teams and diphthongs, utilizing visual aids and phonics drills. Strategies include having students sort words based on vowel patterns and engage in joint reading exercises emphasizing phonetic rules (Foorman & Torgesen, 2001). Partner reading activities also promote decoding practice and peer correction, fostering confidence and automaticity in recognizing familiar patterns.

Incorporating multisensory approaches, such as multi-sensory phonics instruction, has been supported by research to effectively serve students with decoding difficulties (Hoff, 2013). Use of tactile and kinesthetic activities helps reinforce phonemic awareness, essential for tackling multisyllabic and vowel pattern errors.

Additionally, ongoing formative assessments enable educators to monitor progress and adapt interventions. Structured phonics programs like Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Reading Systems focus on systematic, explicit phonics teaching and have demonstrated efficacy for struggling readers (Moats & Lyon, 2016). These programs and strategies align with evidence-based practices promoting decoding skills and reading fluency.

Conclusion

Assessing students through IRIs provides actionable data for individualized instruction. By carefully analyzing error patterns like those observed in Kaleb’s reading, educators can implement targeted strategies such as syllable division activities and phonics instruction focused on vowel patterns. These evidence-based approaches are vital components in fostering reading proficiency, ultimately supporting students in becoming confident, fluent readers who can comprehend text independently.

References

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  • Moats, L. C., & Lyon, T. D. (2016). Basic facts about reading instruction. American Educator, 40(2), 1–10.
  • Vogt, K. & Perfetti, C. (2014). Developing Big Skills in Multisyllabic Word Reading. Reading Research Quarterly, 50(3), 259–273.
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