Handbook for Literacy Tutors: A Practical Approach to Effective Informal Instruction in Reading and Writing

This textbook is intended as a guide for non-educators who want to learn how to tutor individuals in literacy tasks. A short introductory section is included that is devoted to theory, but only as much as necessary to allow tutors to make reasonable instructional decisions about their students. The remainder of the book focuses on the practical aspects of instruction in literacy for those who have no formal training in teaching. Because many tutors work without the supervision of professional educators, the book seeks to make tutors independent in their instruction. Initially, a 6-point procedure for tutoring lessons in literacy is outlined. Subsequent chapters provide specific teaching and learning strategies for each of the six points. The book represents an effort to combine whole language literacy learning techniques with a lesson structure that is manageable for tutors and yet sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of the students effectively. Suggested record-keeping procedures are outlined, and the text includes a chapter containing the record-keeping forms as well as directions for their use. At the end of each chapter is a summary of the important points from the chapter, as well as a section of questions and statements for the tutor to reflect upon and respond to.