The document discusses strategies for reaching struggling readers under the Common Core State Standards. It notes that early testing results show the standards may be widening achievement gaps. It recommends teachers provide a diversity of high-interest fiction texts in multiple formats, including print, audio, and ebooks. It also emphasizes the importance of building classroom libraries to help all students meet the reading demands of the standards.

1. Literacy Solutions
for
Struggling Readers
Orca Book Publishers,
High-Interest Fiction and the
Common Core

2. Why this webinar?
Because the implementation of the Common
Core State Standards – while positive in many
regards – is likely to increase the burden on
teachers and librarians and there is the potential
for struggling readers to be underserved.
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3. Implementation Issues
The standards address discrepancies in
achievement that exist across the country.
However, early testing results coming out of NY
and California are indicating that CCSS standards
are expanding the achievement gap. In
particular for those struggling with reading -
including English Language Learners.
(For more on this The Atlantic article at: http://bit.ly/1a47EQ4)
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4. The reader and the task.
What does this mean for
struggling readers?
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5. How to reach struggling readers
The Common Core asks that students are
comfortable with a wide range of text formats.
Teachers and librarians must be responsive and
adaptive in providing text suggestions for
sharing high-interest fiction with struggling
readers, as well as solutions that can work in
multiple formats, from print and audio to multi-
user ebooks and digital reading aids.
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6. What are the main ways for ELA
teachers to meet the CCSS
• more reading in class,
• more trade books incorporated into
classroom activities,
• more independent reading
• a wide range of formats in the
classroom, i.e., graphic, digital, audio, fiction,
non-fiction
• more time reading non-fiction in conjunction
with fiction. www.orcabook.com
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7. That’s kind of obvious isn’t it?
The standards don’t require ELA teachers to change classroom materials but rather to
change how they use them, with more emphasis on text analysis.
The standards are intended to guide teachers to be purposeful and strategic in both
what to include and what to EXCLUDE in instructional materials.
The standards shift the focus away from literacy instruction to center on careful
examination of the text. The point of reading is for students to draw knowledge from
the text; reading well means getting the maximum insight or knowledge possible from
the text.
And, a student’s knowledge is demonstrated when she uses evidence from the text to
support a claim about the text.
Often several CCSS standards can be addressed by a single rich task, which means that
existing teacher’s guide material can easily be readapted to be more CCSS friendly.
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8. So, what’s the problem?
The Common Core does not recommend books
for students reading below grade level.
And while teachers are expected to match
reader to text, it is a real challenge for teachers
and librarians to find age-appropriate, level-
appropriate materials.
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9. However…
The goal of having all students reading on grade
level is often misunderstood, i.e., that all
students must read at level all the time. This is
impossible for anyone.
As they have always done, teachers must assess
students reading abilities and offer a diversity of
text so struggling readers won’t be stigmatized.
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10. More…
• Be subversive. Talk about other books when doing a
novel study; introduce other books by the author; run
lunchtime and after school reading/book clubs; create
a classroom library.
• Be selective. There is no approved list. Teachers still
need to find the material.
• Be supportive. Teachers need books to LADDER
UP, with books that support scaffolding skill
development particularly in high school –
theme, characters, etc.www.orcabook.com
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11. And…
• Teachers need “Context text”, i.e., more
accessible, engaging text that explores the same
THEMES as “Fulcrum text” e.g., Appendix A exemplar
texts.
• Students reading below grade level need
supplementary opportunities to read text they
comprehend successfully without extensive supports.
Teachers need to provide shorter, challenging texts and
additional materials for independent reading.
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12. Technology
Tech use is growing in schools. More and more
tablets in use - also, students demanding
materials for their own devices,
The majority of parents support digital learning
as a 21st century necessity,
Even with the disparity in tech resources digital
use will continue to grow.
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13. EBooks
• E-books are seen by many librarians as an effective
way to get books into the hands of readers –
particularly struggling and reluctant readers
• Kids like e-books – more interactive, like
portability, ease of access, anonymity – don’t have to
go to the library, middle school kids requesting books
to read on their phones.
• What works in the home is migrating to schools.
• Librarians want ease of access, simultaneous
use, multi-user etc.
• ALA leadership is in discussions to standardize e-book
delivery
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14. Audio
• Educators championing use of audio books
and print simultaneously with struggling and
emerging readers.
• Audio books to be read with print
books, i.e., recordings offering multiple
voices/ actors. Huge appeal to students and
teachers. Kids have print book in front of them
while listening.
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15. Additional Resources
Educators across NA are increasingly sharing
resources online for free or for a nominal fee.
Teacher-created materials can be very useful in
seeing what is working elsewhere.
Pinterest is very popular with teachers to access
info, share resources.
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16. The bottom line…
To implement the Common Core and to reach
those who may be left behind, teachers must
put more books in more kids’ hands.
How?
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17. Set the stage for success
Build classroom libraries. (print, digital, audio)
Fund school librarians and provide them with
an annual budget for books.
Differentiate instruction.
Encourage independent reading, summer
reading programs, school-wide reading
programs.
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18. Got books?
• In all formats.
• In whatever way appeals to struggling readers
to get them on task.
• We have books. (thanks for asking!)
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19. Orca Soundings are teen novels for reluctant
readers. These short, high-interest novels have
compelling characters and linear plots, and are
written by bestselling authors.
Many titles available in Spanish and all available
electronically.
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andrew@orcabook.com

20. Books struggling readers want to read.
Orca Soundings have been published for more
than 10 years and they continue to be popular
with almost 100 titles and 1.5 million copies in
readers hands.
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21. • Middle-school fiction for reluctant readers.
• Reading level grade 2.0-4.5
• Interest level – middle school
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22. Other series…
Orca Sports, Sidestreets and Rapid Reads.
Lots of titles to tempt readers, all written at a
lower level but with compelling, well-written
stories.
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andrew@orcabook.com

23. Additional Resources
• Comprehensive teachers’ guide available on
CD, as a bound book, or free as digital
downloads from orcabook.com.
• Teacher-created and designed to take the
guesswork out of reaching those struggling
readers.
• Includes information on how to use the books
in the classroom, facts about reading
levels, curriculum connections and themes.
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24. ORCA PREMIUM DIGITAL
SUBSCRIPTIONS
The best digital resource for
struggling readers.
Why?

25. Because the best books will always be
on your shelves.
With unlimited multiuser access, you can recommend any book to any
student knowing that they can start reading right away.
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26. Because struggling readers can use the
online dictionary.
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27. Because they can check pronunciation
The online reader has a text-to-speech Read Aloud function that is
perfect for struggling readers who need a little extra help.
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28. Because they can take their book
anywhere.
Orca Digital Subscriptions include download lending as
well as online reading. Students can load ebooks onto
their devices – including smartphones – or they can
access the bookshelf from a home PC.
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29. You’ll always have enough books.
• No more juggling tight budgets to come up
with fresh material for literature circles.
• Two teachers want to read the same book
with their class? No problem.
• And with Complete Collections of our most
popular series you’ll get new FREE titles twice
a year.
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30. You’ll know what they are reading.
With the help of our user-friendly usage reports.
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31. www.orcabook.com
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32. Because you can download
MARC records.
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33. Because you can have these great
series:
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34. And lots of other great books
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35. Orca Premium Digital Subscriptions
Ask for your free trial.
Email: digital@orcabook.com
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36. Audio
• Book Buddy Go Reader – a single-purpose
MP3 player.
• Popular hi/low stories, with unabridged, word-
for-word audio.
• Hear and read is successful with striving
readers and works particularly well with
supporting those with difficulties.
• Excellent for scaffolding reading ability and
comprehension.
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andrew@orcabook.com

37. Thanks for participating in today’s webinar!
And to give you a start on reaching those
struggling readers, we have five sets of high
interest novels to give away along with a trial
digital subscription.
Email andrew@orcabook.com
for a chance to win.
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