Response to intervention (RTI) is a three-tier approach that can be used for any subject. This approach is designed to catch kids early and keep them from falling through the cracks. The tiered approach makes the most of school resources, by moving from whole-class to small group to 1-1 instruction as needed.
Tier 1, the primary prevention, is whole class instruction, using research-based instruction. When it comes to literacy, this means systematic, explicit, synthetic phonics instruction. Many students will make progress at this tier. Whole school screening at this tier, along with monitoring of student progress, helps identify students who may need additional phonics intervention.
Tier 2 phonics intervention in the RTI model involves small group work. Working with students in small groups is an efficient use of school resources. Plus many students will learn from others or be motivated in their learning by being in the group. Small groups also offer an opportunity for activities, like games, that may not be appropriate for a full class or one-on-one.
In the RTI model, Tier 3 is one-to-one instruction. This phonics intervention is used for students who did not respond to Tier 1 and Tier 2. Again, monitoring throughout the instruction and intervention along with screening determine when students need a new tier of intervention.
When students shift to a new tier, there is often a plan of a number of hours over a certain course of time. Monitoring the level of performance and the progress is essential. Students who respond to intervention may move down a tier. For example, they may need several weeks of Tier 2 phonics intervention, but make progress and move back to Tier 1.
Phonics intervention tools for the RTI model
The RTI Model does not require the use of a specific literacy or phonics program, just that instruction be research-based. Tools from Top Notch Teaching are based on systematic, explicit synthetic phonics instruction and can be readily adapted for various tiers in the RTI model.
Mini-books are a great tool for phonics intervention with the RTI model. You can use mini-books to assist students who struggle with fluency and remembering words that they have seen again and again. Students focus on a specific phonics skill and practice blending sounds. They meet the systematic synthetic phonics instruction criteria — and they are adaptable.
Check out Phonics Mini-Books with a FREE sample
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You can use Phonics Mini-Books as independent work after whole class instruction, as homework to help consolidate skills you taught the whole class, or as informal assessment of how students are doing with the material.
Mini-phonics books are also great for small group (Tier 2) instruction. Students can go around the group and take turns reading words. Spin and write activities can be done as a game in pairs. There are lots of ways to adapt.
And you can even use these 1-1 for Tier 3 intervention as needed. Each book contains a variety of activities to help students with the targeted skills. There are 5 mini books in each set that uplevel in difficulty as you work through the set. Each set focuses on a particular sound and includes high frequency words.
Get the CVC Phonics Mini-Books Set, which covers these sounds:
- Set 1: a, i, m, s, t
- Set 2: n, o, p
- Set 3: b, c, g, h
- Set 4: d, e, f, v
- Set 5: k, l, r, u
- Set 6: j, w, x, y, z
- Set 7: ff, ll, ss, zz
What questions do you have about the RTI model?
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