Iris Center Learning Module Paper

Running Head: IRIS CENTER LEARNING MODULE PAPER

IRIS CENTER LEARNING MODULE PAPER

Reading is a large part of one's life, without reading skills our lives as adults will be most

difficult. One could almost say that the ability to read is a main key to survival when we become

adults. This is why getting children interested in learning to read is so important, as educators this

is not an easy job for us to do. Finding the right tools and resources to assist in teaching children

to read can be quiet difficult. Luckily there is help out there to encourage and motivate children to

want to read. A good example of what resources we have available is PALS, Peer Assisted

Learning Strategies.

Peer Assisted Learning Strategies has many benefits for both students and teachers, such as it

increases the children's achievement in reading while allowing more opportunities for the children

to read. (IRIS Learning Center). The program actively involves all students in tasks they can

perform successfully. PALS expand instructional resources in the classroom which is really

important, along with helping teachers accommodate academic diversity. Another great benefit of

PALS is that this program is cost effective and the program allows children to move at their own

pace.

The children are not rushed into which is very important for children when learning. The PALS

program is found to be an enjoyable activity by both teachers and students. One last benefit that

should be pointed out is the fact this program "allows students with disabilities to spend more time

in a least restrictive environment and increase their access to the general education

curriculum."(Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies). The PALS program has been designed for grades

2 - 6, but recently has been extended into kindergarten which is known as K-PALS and first grade.

K-PALS sessions last from 20 to 30 minutes and take place at three times a week.

Running Head: IRIS CENTER LEARNING MODULE PAPER

While first grade PALS sessions last up to 20 minutes longer and the sessions are also done

three times a week. K-PALS sessions consist of two activities dealing with sounds, words, and

sound play. Such as letter names and sounds, letter sound correspondence, phonological awareness

and decoding. "Phonological awareness is an over-arching principle that includes detecting and

manipulating speech sounds including words, phonemes, syllables and onsets and rimes."(Eliason,

C. F., Jenkins, L. 2012 P.193).

First grade sessions begin with five minutes of children working as a group, during this time the

teacher introduces new words, sounds, sight, and vocabulary words and conducts segmenting and

blending activity. After the group time the children are paired off to work on two main activities

partner reading and sounds and words. First grade sessions stresses decoding and reading fluently.

In both kindergarten and first grade sessions the highest performing