What is Jamestown Reading Navigator?
Jamestown Reading Navigator is a reading intervention program designed specifically for middle and high school students. Jamestown Reading Navigator is based on the latest research in adolescent literacy and over 30 years of experience in reaching adolescent readers with the popular Jamestown Education print series. It is designed to accelerate growth in reading fluency and comprehension skills to help struggling students catch up to where they need to be.
What research was used to develop the program?
Jamestown Reading Navigator aligns with the new Reading Next report from the Alliance for Excellent Education. (Reading Next: A Vision for Action and Research in Middle and High School Literacy, a Report to Carnegie Corporation of New York, 2004) This groundbreaking report outlines fifteen “Key Elements” of effective literacy instruction for adolescents, covering instructional models, content, formative and summative assessment, professional development, and school infrastructure and leadership elements. Bringing together years of research in adolescent literacy, it is the document that will be used to define effective programs for adolescent literacy for the next several years. Jamestown Reading Navigator is built around the Key Elements defined in this report.
The full report can be accessed at: http://www.all4ed.org/publications/ReadingNext/ReadingNext.pdf.
What grade levels and reading levels are covered by Jamestown Reading Navigator?
Jamestown Reading Navigator is designed for students in grades 6-12 who are reading 2 or more reading levels below their actual grade. They will be placed in one of four program levels depending on their current reading level.
What are the program components?
Jamestown Reading Navigator includes both online and print instructional materials. The main program features include:
How does Jamestown Reading Navigator work?
When students start the program, they are given an initial online diagnostic test that places them into one of four levels: Trek 1 (Reading levels 1-2); Trek 2 (Reading levels 3-4); Trek 3 (Reading levels 5-6); or Trek 4 (Reading levels 7-9+). Each Trek is designed to provide scaffolded instruction in a “gradual release” model that moves students from a highly structured environment with explicit instruction towards more independent reading.
The online program is designed to allow students to work independently. Each Trek is divided into units (Quests), and each Quest has multiple lessons (Journeys). The Journeys are tied together by a central theme or guiding question (e.g., “When is change good?”), and the selections for each Journey are all tied to this unifying idea. Treks 2 and 3 each have 8 Quests. Students must complete 32 out of 48 possible Journeys for each Trek, or 4 Journeys per Quest. Treks 1 and 4 each have 4 Quests. Students must complete 16 out of 24 possible Journeys for each Trek, or 4 Journeys per Quest. Multiple selections for many of the skills within each level allow students a great deal of choice as they move through the program, while ensuring that all skills are covered.
The inClass Reader Anthologies are designed for independent reading practice and small group discussion. The books are divided into units that correspond to the units in the online program, using the same guiding questions or themes. There are 4 selections for each unit, all tied to the unifying theme. Students must complete at least 2 selections from each unit and take an online quiz on their reading. In addition, the Teachers Guide provides lesson plans and ideas for leading small group discussions around each of the selections or around the Guiding Question for the Quest.
inTIME Magazines are designed to encourage additional independent reading. A Teacher’s Guide provides lesson plans and ideas for using the inTIME Magazine articles.
How long does it take to complete the Jamestown Reading Navigator program?
Jamestown Reading Navigator is student directed, and individual students will work through the program at their own pace and comfort level. However, in general, teachers can expect students to work through about one Trek in a semester course. On average, students can expect to complete 2 Journeys every week, or a Quest every 4 weeks.
How is Jamestown Reading Navigator implemented in the classroom?
Jamestown Reading Navigator is designed to be flexible. Schools can develop an implementation model with varying degrees of emphasis on student-directed and teacher-directed learning, or varying amounts of time spent with online or print-based activities. Our Professional Development can be tailored to help schools implement an instructional model that works for them. This allows Jamestown Reading Navigator to be used in a variety of situations, from a comprehensive daily pull-out class, to an after school tutoring environment, to independent student-directed learning during a study hall or free class time.
How much computer time is required for Jamestown Reading Navigator?
The web-based program provides direct instruction in reading skills and strategies, modeling of good reading practices, and ongoing progress monitoring. It is a core component of the instructional model. The comprehensive instructional model assumes an average of 180 minutes of computer time per week, either in daily 45 minute sessions or two 90-minute blocks per week. This will allow students to progress through an average of 2 Journeys per week (one Quest per month).
Alternative models of program use can also be utilized if daily computer time is not available. In this case, it will take longer to work through the computerized lessons and units. For example, if schools allow students to have two 45 minute blocks of computer time each week, students can complete a Quest in about 9 weeks. Teachers would devote more class time to the print components, including group discussions and writing assignments in this model, or bring in other outside print resources. Jamestown Reading Navigator is still a highly effective when used as a supplement to other in-class instruction, though it may take longer to see progress.
Can students access the Jamestown Reading Navigator online program outside of school?
Yes. The web-based program is available 24-7, from school, home, library, community center, or anywhere else students can access the Internet. They can stop lessons at any time and log in later to complete them. This allows them to easily start a lesson during school time and finish it later at home or at the library.
How is Jamestown Reading Navigator connected to the Jamestown books?
Jamestown Reading Navigator is a new program, separate from the existing print materials from Jamestown. All of the content has been newly created for Jamestown Reading Navigator. However, we have drawn from the Jamestown team’s expertise in creating engaging, relevant content for adolescent readers in creating this program. Just like the Jamestown books, Jamestown Reading Navigator has a strong focus on non-fiction and content-area reading. High-interest articles and stories have been written to appeal to an adolescent audience.
The existing Jamestown books can be purchased separately to be used as supplemental reading material by students in the program.Back to top