In the context of best practices in reading instruction and evidence:
- Do we know how to intervene effectively to meet specific needs?
- What indicators inform the teacher about the student's reading skills?
- How can we differentiate our teaching with screening tools?
This resource has been designed to address these questions. We propose a small group screening approach, which allows teachers to observe and screen a few students at a time in a short period of time. Students will have the opportunity to express themselves orally and demonstrate skills related to the essential reading components. In a second or additional language, oral language is paramount. The teacher must provide real and authentic learning situations. (The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages - CEFR, 2019)
The data collected using the IBL kit allows the teacher to more accurately target concepts to be taught in reading lessons and small group interventions. By having a more accurate picture of the student and their reading skills, the new information will allow for strategic, intentional, and systematic instruction.
What is IBL?
IBL is a screening tool based on best practices in reading instruction, enabling teachers to accurately identify the needs of readers. It is both a tool for learning and a tool for teachers to gather essential information about the five components of reading. Using this tool, teachers collect data related to student performance in reading French as a second or additional language. It also records observations on reading appreciation and metacognition.
This kit was designed to help teachers identify the specific needs of readers who are just beginning to learn to read, i.e., those in the emergent or beginning reading stage. IBL is intended to be a springboard and a fresh start for effective and intentional literacy lesson planning. By seeing each student's gaps in a short period of time, the teacher can quickly put the necessary strategies in place. It is important to note that IBL is not designed for summative assessment purposes. This resource allows teachers to measure:
- the extent of phonemic awareness (oral sounds),
- phonics knowledge (written sounds),
- vocabulary breadth (an important component in L2 French learning),
- fluency and accuracy in reading; and
- the use of comprehension strategies.
The IBL kit includes the following components:
- 15 readers (4 copies each)
- 2 laminated text cards (4 copies each)
- Total of 60 readers and 8 laminated cards
- 1 teaching guide
- 1 copy of Soutenir les lecteurs en langue seconde (previously published), by Renée Bourgoin
- Access to digital files (teaching guide, line masters)