Educators Instructions
Instructional Strategies:
A to Z adheres to the direct instruction model of teaching. This style of teaching focuses on intensive, systematic instruction; frequent assessment; tutor modeling; and constant student repetition and feedback. Research has shown time and time again that direct instruction is an effective instructional method. But while A to Z implements direct instruction, its unique one-on-one or small-group format allows for individualized modification depending upon the needs and learning mode of each student. A to Z tutors always take into consideration the learning style of each student, and incorporate that into lessons as much as possible. While direct instruction includes tutor input and modeling of skills, tutors incorporate additional materials when applicable, such as flashcards, games, word sorts, children's literature, organizational charts or manipulatives to enhance the instruction, guided practice, and/or assessment during a lesson.
Our reading instructional program aligns to the National Reading Panel's five dimensions of reading: phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, phonics instruction, and comprehension. Some examples of reading strategies utilized by our tutors are word segmentation, rhyming, phonological recoding and decoding, word sorts, and story retelling. The most important component of the implementation of these strategies is the constant feedback of both tutor and student throughout, enabled by our one-on-one or small group structure.
Mathematics content and lessons include number sense, measurement, geometry and spatial sense, algebraic thinking, and data analysis and probability. Our math lessons emphasize conceptual understanding and expand the range of mathematical concepts beyond arithmetic drills. As a result, students are able to learn and demonstrate the five mathematical process standards put out by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and make the connections necessary to fully understand math concepts and how they relate.
Curriculum:
The lessons and materials utilized by A to Z are all aligned to state content standards and include supplementary materials that aim to support and enhance the skills being taught in the classroom, provide explicit instruction via a direct instruction-based model, and gauge understanding through applicable assessment. One curriculum that A to Z utilizes is the BASIC/Not Boring Curriculum Series put out by Incentive Publications. In language arts, this curriculum includes instructional materials and comprehensive assessment tools that deal with reading, writing, grammar and usage, vocabulary and word skills, phonics, fluency, study and research skills, and spelling. In math, basic skills covered include numbers and computation, geometry and measurement, fractions and decimals, problem solving, graphing, statistics and probability, and algebraic concepts. Prior to the development of the BASIC/Not Boring series, a careful met-analysis was done of the current research regarding effective skill practice for elementary students and standards required by all fifty states. Content comparisons and correlations were done using other well-known valid assessments and state standardized tests to ensure content validity of basic skills. It was tested in the classroom both for effectiveness and student appeal. Parents and teachers alike have praised the BASIC/Not Boring skill practice in helping student test scores.