I have my Fountas & Pinnell BAS data, now what?

As teachers have completed assessments, it has been exciting to collaboratively dig into their data and begin setting instructional goals for students.  Although the Literacy Continuum can feel overwhelming at first glance, when you utilize it in tandem with individual student assessments, it helps us to set targeted instructional goals for the students and is well worth our time. 

You don’t have to take my word for it, here are some of the comments that teachers have made:

“I started my small groups this week. I am loving it. I am so glad I did the assessments. I love how detailed your groups can be.” – Lindsey Born (2^nd grade, Wilson)

“This information will help to make my small groups more purposeful which will be better for kids.  We are really getting to know our readers exactly where they are at.” – Lauren Bogda (4^th grade, McKinley)

A three-step process to try and look at the continuum and assessments efficiently to set instructional goals:

1.       Look over one students’ assessments (or this could be done with a group of students), and identify areas where they need additional instruction and support. (For example, if a student scored 1 out of 3 on the “within the text” section, they likely need additional support with retelling or summarizing.)

2.       Look at the Literacy Continuum guided reading section that aligns with the students’ instructional level.  Find the sections of goals that were most difficult for them on the assessment.  (Referencing the example in number 1, go to the “within the text” section, and focus in on the “summarizing” portion.)

3.       Choose the instructional goal(s) in that section that align with the support the student would benefit from.  (If reading at an instructional level of H, the example student could have instructional goals: “Talk about the important information after reading” and “Summarize information in the text, selecting the information that is important.” Page 455 of Literacy Continuum) Pay close attention to the red dots (newer to that level), but also consider the other goals as well if it matches with a student’s needs.

The Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System coupled with the Literacy Continuum will help us to know our readers and provide them with the targeted instruction that they need to accelerate their growth.  Your literacy coach would love to collaborate with you during this process; send an email with some dates and times that work well for you.