Screening Checklists: Early Identification Of Children at Risk for Reading Failure, Handwriting Difficulties, and Spelling Error Analysis Sheila Clark-Edmands Checklists can be helpful when they are completed by classroom teachers and specialists. Checklists not only provide useful information on specific behaviors that may need further, more in-depth evaluation, but they can also be used to develop specific teaching objectives. The following three informal observational checklists have been used extensively by teachers over the past several years. I have used them in my own teaching since 1972. They have been revised and edited several times following feedback from my colleagues. If you wish the original forms in a larger size, you may write to Progress Learning, Inc., P.O. Box 545, Kennebunk, ME 04043. I am happy to send them to you free of charge. Screening Checklist for Reading Failure: Teacher/Parent Observation Form The following checklist is designed to screen children mid-kindergarten year for the purpose of identifying children with language-based weaknesses. Each of the behaviors in the checklist should be carefully considered. Check only those areas that apply. Any child receiving a large number of checks should be referred for an in-depth evaluation. A referral would be made to the speech and language specialist or the learning disabilities specialist in the child s school. Children with language difficulties need an explicit, systematic phonemic approach to reading along with extensive training in the area of phonological awareness. Specific Instruction should begin in kindergarten and continue until the student reaches literacy in both reading and written language. Early identification and the utilization of a multi-sensory, explicit phonetic approach developed specifically for young learners is essential for the prevention of reading failure. who are having difficulty, but you may also use the checklist to rate the child after specific assistance is provided. Spelling Error Analysis Checklist It is important to obtain several samples of a child s spelling to determine where instruction should begin and to pinpoint specific difficulties with concepts in the English language system. The Spelling Error Analysis can be used as a summary sheet for spelling evaluations. 1991, 1996 Sheila Clark-Edmands, Progress Learning, Inc. PO Box 545 Kennebunk ME 04043 Sheila Clark-Edmands, M.S.Ed. is an educational consultant for Progress Learning, Inc., Kennebunk, Maine. She is also an AOGPE Fellow and author of S.P.I.R.E., Specialized Program Individualizing Reading Excellence, an early identification and intervention program for children at risk for reading failure. She regularly conducts workshops for educators throughout the United States. She has been working in the field of reading for over thirty years. Handwriting Checklist Observation The following checklist is designed to screen children who may require specialized handwriting training. Children who are exhibiting difficulties in the area of fine motor control, visual spatial difficulties, letter formation, pencil grip, or fluency in writing may require individualized instruction utilizing a multi-sensory approach. By carefully analyzing several pieces of a child s work and carefully considering the areas of letter formation, pencil grip, spatial orientation, writing posture and paper position, you will not only screen those students Learning Disabilities Journal July 2000 Volume 10 No. 3 14
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