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The Science of Reading For Adult Learners – Scarborough’s Rope

About Scarboroughs Rope

Before we begin, I would suggest you take a moment to truly study the image above and watch our video on Scarborough’s Rope.

The above is a beautiful metaphor for the skills necessary for proficient reading with comprehension created by Hollis Scarborough. This metaphor is commonly used in considering reading development in children, but regardless of age, the science of reading applies. Today, we will dig into this metaphor as it relates to adults.

Ask a group of tutors or teachers who work with adults on reading, and you would likely get a kaleidoscope of answers about what skills their students need and why. Understanding the components of reading can help each tutor or teacher identify the gaps in their student’s skills to better plan for lessons and assessments.

The elements of Scarborough’s Rope can be assessed formally and informally. The most commonly given assessments in adult literacy curriculum focus largely on word recognition skills, along with some language structure and vocabulary. While those are important, it is also key to assess the other skills that may not be so specifically measured. Below are some informal ways to assess each skill in adult students.

SkillInformal Assessment
Background KnowledgeInformal questions before reading a text
Creating concept maps of topic
Student self rating their knowledge of a topic
VocabularyVocabulary assessment should be text specific
Fill in the blank sentences
Word Match
Student rating word knowledge before, during, and after
Language StructureGrammar Assessments on specific skills
Written sentences or paragraphs
Student editing
Verbal ReasoningCreating metaphors and similes
Making predictions based on evidence
Comparing and Contrasting
Literacy Knowledge Label the parts of a book or text (ie Title, headings, glossary, spine)
Identifying the genre of the text being read
Student identifies the purpose of reading a text
Phonological AwarenessBreaking a word into syllables
List rhyming words
DecodingSounding out words that follow “the rules”
Recognizing the sound of each letter
Identifying blends and digraphs
Sight Recognition

Quickly identify common words in a text by highlighting
Speed drills

Formal assessments do exist for most of these skills. The curriculum you are using may have assessments built in. Be sure you understand the exact skill the assessment is measuring. Below is a list of other assessments available for free. Please always remember for an assessment to give you a clear picture of the student’s ability, you must administer it carefully and correctly. Read the directions and practice on a friend before giving any of these .

Assessment NameSkills Measured
San Diego Quick AssessmentSome sight words, Decoding
Quick Phonics ScreenerPhonological Awareness, Decoding
Dolch and Fry Sight Word AssessmentsSight Recognition

Teaching Strategies for Each Skill

Regardless of which skill you are teaching, it is absolutely imperative that the strategy used is relevant and appropriate for adults. Avoid childish materials or items with a grade level listed anywhere the student may see. Most adult literacy curriculum does this, but a tutor often needs additional materials or support for a skill. Be prepared to make adjustments.

 Also, be sure to assess your own understanding of each skill and concept. Adult learners are going to great lengths to improve their reading. Accurate and clear instruction honors their time and goals.

SkillTeaching Strategy
Background KnowledgeUse images or short videos to build background knowledge
Discuss each new topic at the end to add detail and nuance
Use KWL Charts when reading on a new topic
VocabularyAfter a first reading, go back and identify new or unfamiliar words to the reader. This ensures lessons are not only on expected vocabulary, but also the needs of the reader.
Practice using context clues and dictionaries (paper or online) in real time
In a notebook have students build a journal of words they have learned that are relevant to their daily lives.
Language StructureExplicitly teach grammar skills in isolation, and then identify them in a written passage.
Include appropriate length written responses to text frequently. As skill develops, lengthen responses.
Have students bring in forms or other writing necessary to their daily lives to practice
Verbal ReasoningFind similes and metaphors in texts and discuss them.
Do crossword puzzles
Use graphic organizers to sort information from a text
Discuss real life examples of the student making predictions.
Give evidence for answers
Literacy Knowledge Before beginning any text, point out the features of the text and explain the purpose of those features.
Phonological AwarenessPoint out where in the mouth each sound is made.
Manipulate words from the text – delete sounds, add sounds
Using relevant words, practice orally breaking the words into syllables
DecodingUse highlighters or colored pencils to identify new sounds or spelling patterns.
Sight Recognition

Flash cards for quick practice.
Build an ongoing list of automatic words.

We hope this post helps you get started addressing all the components of reading with your learners. Please subscribe to our network for future posts about each element, specific assessments, teaching strategies, and more! Also, go join the discussion about the elements of reading on our Arkansas Tutor Network Facebook Page.

 

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