Using TPRs for Intervention and Earlier-Level Support

Not all students progress at the same rate when learning to read. For some, additional support is needed to master letter-sounds and blending skills. Target Practice Readers (TPRs) are an excellent resource for providing intervention and earlier-level support to students who may be struggling with phonics. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how TPRs can be used effectively for interventions and to support students at earlier levels of reading development.

Why Early Intervention is Important 
Early intervention is key to preventing reading difficulties from becoming long-term challenges. By identifying students who are struggling with phonics and providing targeted support, teachers can help these students get back on track. Early intervention not only helps students improve their phonics skills but also boosts their confidence and motivation to read.

How TPRs Can Support Intervention

1. Focus on Specific Letter-Sounds: TPRs are designed to focus on small groups of target letter-sounds, making them ideal for intervention. Teachers can use TPRs to provide targeted practice for students who are struggling with specific sounds, helping them reinforce their phonics knowledge in a focused and manageable way.
2. Bespoke Reading Plans: One of the advantages of TPRs is that they can be assigned individually based on a student’s needs. For students who are behind, teachers can create bespoke reading plans that focus on earlier-level TPRs. This allows students to practice the sounds and skills they need to catch up, without feeling overwhelmed by more advanced texts.
3. Repetition and Practice: Struggling readers often need more repetition and practice to master phonics skills. TPRs provide plenty of opportunities for students to practice the same sounds in different contexts, helping to solidify their understanding. By re-reading TPRs and engaging with the accompanying activity sheets, students can develop the confidence they need to progress.
4. 1:1 or Small Group Support: TPRs are perfect for use in 1:1 or small group interventions. Teachers can provide direct instruction to students who need extra help, guiding them through the decodable text and offering support with blending and decoding. This focused, individualized attention is crucial for helping struggling readers improve.

Tips for Using TPRs in Intervention

1. Identify Specific Needs: Before using TPRs for intervention, identify the specific letter-sounds or skills that the student is struggling with. Choose TPRs that target those areas and provide multiple opportunities for practice.
2. Use Data to Guide Instruction: Use assessment data to guide your intervention. If a student is struggling with blending certain sounds, focus on TPRs that provide targeted blending practice. The e-book versions of TPRs also include quizzes and reporting tools that can help track student progress.
3. Be Patient and Provide Encouragement: Reading intervention can be challenging for students, so it’s important to be patient and provide plenty of encouragement. Celebrate small successes and offer positive reinforcement to help boost the student’s confidence.

Target Practice Readers are an excellent resource for providing intervention and earlier-level support to struggling readers. By focusing on specific letter-sounds, offering repetition and practice, and providing 1:1 or small group support, TPRs help students develop the phonics skills they need to succeed. Use TPRs as part of your reading intervention strategy, and watch as your students make meaningful progress in their reading abilities.