When the Test is Wrong.

One of the platforms I tutor with always gives a student at test right before they begin tutoring. The purpose of this test is to see what a student’s reading level is and assign them lessons and materials to help them grow. I just began working with one of my first summer students on this platform and they leveled her at the 1st grade level. Watching her read, it was very clear this level was way too easy for her. She clearly was a 2nd or maybe even 3rd grade reader in the American system.

So, I began gathering my resources and find other materials to teach her instead. While it was very clear she did not need to go over sounding out CVC words any more, she clearly needed help with vowel pairs. So, I designed a lesson meant to help her learn the pairs that caused her to struggle. I am also overriding her level to ensure that she is always in that just right comfort zone. While I may not see her again after July, it is important that every child I work is given material that will help them grow. When the test and platform aren’t helping me do this, that means I need to get creative and find what they actually need. It is one of the ways that being an educator has you working on fun puzzles. There is no joy in just following the book!