What the science says: "Students in the middle-grades require a different curriculum design than students in the primary grades," (Dewitz, 2023).
By third-grade, reading instruction shifts from learning to read to reading to learn. The Read Side by Side Reading Program provides a highly motivating curriculum design, tailored to the needs of middle-grade readers.
What matters most for middle-grade readers?
- Motivation
A student who is motivated to read will read more deeply, widely, and more often. As motivation increases, a student's ability and confidence also increases. Students in the intermediate grades are motivated by authentic literature and full-length chapter books.
- Explicit Instruction
Students in the middle-grades learn to read strategically to monitor and fix-up comprehension. They learn when, where, why, and how to use strategies to increase comprehension. Rigor is increased as students apply strategies to increasingly more complex texts.
The Transfer of Skill
Students learn to transfer skill from shared reading to independent reading, and from in-class reading to out-of-class reading. They learn to apply reading skills across contents. They become more confident in themselves as they gain independence.
The Building of Knowledge
It is well-founded that knowledge is the best predictor of reading comprehension. The sequencing of books builds students vocabulary and knowledge development. Students learn to integrate knowledge across fiction and nonfiction.
Learn more about the needs of middle-grade readers: