8. Describe Their Implementation

As teachers add Word ID to their toolbox of strategies, I am continuing to be available to provide assistance where it is needed.  Many teachers have commented about beginning the strategy in the new school year, so plans are in motion to help with that.  

1) Shared my Google Drive Word ID folder with them to have access to materials I have created, scanned, uploaded, etc.
2) Sending frequent emails with an open invitation to observe the Word ID strategy in action in my classroom - especially in the beginning of the year ("where to start") and using the prerequisite portions
3) Offering to help them set up student and teacher notebooks
4) Possibly having a refresher Professional Development training before the school year begins so information is forefront in their minds

Once they begin using the strategy, then I can observe their implementation to see how things are going and make further suggestions from there.

1. We were able to successfully identify students who would benefit from the Word ID Strategy through utilizing the STAR Reading data. 
2. Beginning a program in the 3rd 9 weeks of school can be a challenge. It limits the amount of time that can be spent using the program. It was a challenge to ensure that students were in the class to receive instruction and not being pulled by other teachers. We also had to contend with student absences.
3. The teacher had a conversation with other team teachers about allowing Word ID to be taught Monday-Thursday and allowing Friday to be a day of remedial instruction or making up assignments.
4. We did allow for additional time to meet all student needs and work around schedules to ensure students were present to receive instruction. I did check in with the teacher weekly to monitor progress.

Susan Trumbo and Diane Gilliam came to my school and helped me choose students for the Word ID program. I had chosen 12 students from Word Mapping and Susan and Diane administered the TOWRE. We then chose seven students who would be ideal for the program and my school scheduling team was able to grant me time in the day for this small group (every other day). This was key!!! Without this, the group of students would have been much larger and more diverse, thus creating obstacles for successful implementation to all.

Instruction is centred around the group facing each other, supporting each other with memory techniques and strategy reminders. This is my favorite time of the day! Respect, fun, and daily reading improvement make things great.