Heather Penney

Direct Instruction involves explicitly teaching the learner critical skills in the format of I do, we do, you do. We continue to practice the skill until the learner can perform the skill without help. Lessons last 30 minutes to an hour depending on the level of the learner. Each lesson contains 80% skills already taught and 20% new material. This allows repeated practice, so skills are taught to a level where they are not forgotten.

I use Precision Teaching to monitor progress and make sure skills are taught to fluency. When a learner is fluent at a skill, they can perform that skill at a speed which allows them to use the skill in functional ways. With reading, if a learner is having to sound out every word they will struggle to comprehend the sentence. If they are taught to sound out words to fluency they can read quickly and ultimately understand the text they are reading. Teaching reading to fluency takes the effort out of reading for the learner.

Daily practice is needed for learners to reach fluency. I can teach learners four out of five days a week and make progress. Less than that and learners have trouble getting information to stick. If a learner has someone who can read who is able to coach them then I can supply their coach with the information needed to assist with daily practice. I would then monitor the programme weekly. The coach could be a parent/carer, teacher/teaching assistant, or a friend/partner in the case of adults.