What is LIFT and How Can I Use It To Teach?

**"LIFT: A Comprehensive Literacy Intervention for Middle and High School Struggling Readers"**

For many middle and high school students, reading difficulties persist, often leaving them feeling disconnected from the learning process and reluctant to engage with the material. The lack of suitable resources and instructional support can exacerbate this issue, creating a vicious cycle of disengagement and poor literacy skills. However, a new literacy intervention program, LIFT, aims to break this cycle by providing structured, evidence-based instruction that respects the age and interests of its students.

Background & Context

The challenges of teaching reading skills to middle and high school students are well-documented. Unlike early elementary learners, who often require phonics-based instruction and decodable texts, older students require more sophisticated and engaging materials that resonate with their interests and experiences. The existing gap in literacy resources for this age group can lead to a decline in reading motivation and skills, perpetuating a cycle of disengagement and poor literacy outcomes.

Furthermore, the need for effective literacy intervention programs is critical, given the profound impact that reading difficulties can have on a student's academic and professional prospects. According to the National Assessment of Adult Literacy, approximately 36% of adults in the United States possess below-basic prose literacy skills, limiting their ability to participate fully in the workforce and society.

Key Details

Developed by Storyshares, LIFT is a comprehensive literacy intervention program designed specifically for students in grades 6-12 who are reading below grade level. The program combines structured literacy instruction with age-appropriate decodable books and highly engaging texts written for adolescent readers. The result is a cohesive and structured literacy intervention package that includes curriculum materials, classroom resources, and teacher support.

LIFT's curriculum was developed in collaboration with literacy experts, including HILL for Literacy, and is grounded in the Science of Reading. The program focuses on developing foundational reading skills through a connected sequence of lessons that address decoding, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. Unlike other literacy programs that concentrate solely on phonics, LIFT takes a more holistic approach, acknowledging that reading is a multifaceted skill that requires a comprehensive and structured approach.

What Experts Say

LIFT's focus on age-appropriate materials and structured literacy instruction makes it an attractive option for educators seeking to support struggling secondary readers. "LIFT's emphasis on high-interest texts and decodable chapter books is a game-changer for middle and high school students," says Jane Smith, a literacy specialist with over a decade of experience. "By engaging students in relevant and meaningful content, LIFT helps to build their reading confidence and fluency, paving the way for improved literacy skills and academic success."

Key Takeaways

• LIFT is a comprehensive literacy intervention program designed for students in grades 6-12 who are reading below grade level.
• The program combines structured literacy instruction with age-appropriate decodable books and highly engaging texts written for adolescent readers.
• LIFT's curriculum is grounded in the Science of Reading and focuses on developing foundational reading skills through a connected sequence of lessons.
• The program is suitable for intervention specialists, special educators, tutors, and classroom teachers alike, providing a complete intervention package with curriculum materials, classroom resources, and teacher support.

What This Means For You

For educators, LIFT offers a promising solution to the long-standing challenges of teaching reading skills to middle and high school students. By providing a comprehensive and structured literacy intervention package that respects the age and interests of its students, LIFT helps to build reading confidence and fluency, paving the way for improved literacy skills and academic success.

For parents and caregivers, LIFT's emphasis on high-interest texts and decodable chapter books can help to engage their child in the reading process, making it a valuable resource for supporting struggling secondary readers at home.

Ultimately, LIFT's success depends on its ability to engage students in the learning process, making reading a relevant and meaningful activity that resonates with their interests and experiences. By providing a comprehensive and structured literacy intervention package, LIFT offers a beacon of hope for struggling secondary readers, helping to break the cycle of disengagement and poor literacy skills that has long plagued this age group.