Has anyone had success with Reading Mastery Fast Cycle for third graders who are significantly below grade level (mid first grade level)? This is a direct instruction approach sold by SRA.
Has anyone had success with Reading Mastery Fast Cycle for third graders who are significantly below grade level (mid first grade level)? This is a direct instruction approach sold by SRA.
I have used Fast Cycle with repeating first graders and have seen it used with very low second graders with success. I would draw the line at third grade though. Fast Cycle is too basic for that age group, in my opinion. Reading Mastery does offer a Corrective Reading program that you might consider. The “A” book is also very basic. It begins with letter sounds and progresses to common words and then sentences and very short stories. I was disappointed with how basic it is. I felt I was wasting valuable time. I like the B1 and B2 books which are designed for 4th and up. I have used them with 3rd graders with success. They work on sounds, words, sentences then stories. Reading is timed for speed and accuracy. If you can complete a lesson a day, you should be able to boost reading more than a grade level in a year. A lesson takes about 45 minutes. I had less than 30 minutes so I was not as successful as I had hoped.
I am also looking at the Lindamood-Bell training as a possibility for helping kids catch up. Again, it takes a longer period of time per day but gives good results.
Good luck with your 3rd graders.