by Jack Humphrey

     Many schools are phasing in reading teachers to allow all sixth through eighth grade students to participate in reading classes in addition to their English classes. Questions that arise when reading is restored include "What should be done with the time in the reading classes?" and "What background is needed by reading teachers?"

     Time is a key element in building proficient and voluntary young adolescent readers. Reading courses can provide time for weekly class visits to the school library; reading aloud to students; direct instruction in comprehension, skills, and vocabulary; assistance in reading skills needed in other subject areas, such as mathematics, social studies, and science; sustained silent reading; use of newspapers; activities involving books and authors; yearly visits to the nearest public library; and ongoing assessment.

     Middle grades reading is similar to middle grades mathematics in that there is something for all students. Mathematics courses for most students involve regular textbooks and supplementary materials for grades six, seven, or eight. Other students may be offered algebra or pre-algebra courses. Similarly, in reading most students would be enrolled in regular reading classes. Highly skilled readers could be introduced to a wide range of books available in their school libraries.

     Middle grades reading teachers need a strong background of college courses, including developmental reading, content area reading, analysis of reading ability, corrective/diagnostic/remedial reading, psycholinguistics/language development and reading, and literature for adolescents. A teacher with an Indiana reading endorsement will have completed this work.