Word Callers

Book excerpt: Have you ever zoned out during reading--pronounced the words without processing their meaning? This is how "word callers" experience all reading. In fact, strong decoders with limited comprehension account for nearly 30% of all struggling readers. Now there's powerful new hope for them in Word Callers. A centerpiece of Word Callers is an assessment and intervention that uses word and picture cards to support sound-meaning flexibility--an ideal resource for tier 2 and tier 3 RTI. Kelly Cartwright's research shows that word callers can "unglue" from print and improve comprehension in as few as 5 lessons. Word Callers is ready to use with individuals or small groups: Assessments based on included word cards help identify inflexible readers. A straightforward, needs-driven research-tested intervention using the cards turns readers around fast. Engaging lessons with wordplay, word and picture cards, comprehension strategies, and more support the transition from word callers into full-time meaning makers.