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Bring the Best out of Struggling Readers

2nd Grade Remedial Reading

by Cheryl Hannon

06/06/2008

My Iditarod unit it designed and taught to second grade remedial reading students where motivation is the key factor to success in reading.

After guided reading lessons (books that I have bought and accumulated about Balto, dog sled racing and the Iditarod), first hand accounts (my husband and I skijor and attend many local clubs races including Downeast and New England Dogsled Clubs), read alouds (we were lucky enough to have Alaskan author Debbie S. Miller visit our school this January), folowing the Iditarod on-line, and vocabulary lessons (mushing terminology from dogsled.com), students write an Iditarod journal using mushing terminology as if they were on the trail. 

This activity always brings out the best in these struggling readers and writers.  We end by sharing our journals (with 4th grade students who read Stone Fox) and the reading supervisor followed by a celebration.

I am always amazed about the information that the students include on trail conditions, weather, checkpoints, and the dogs!

Cheryl Hannon