S
son
Guest
Passport is the remedial program for Voyager Universal. I want to hear from someone who has had experience with the Passport part of their reading program.
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MJH
Senior Member
Voyager
This is my second year with Voyager Passport in kindergarten. I really like the vocabulary lessons, no so much the stories but the fact my kids and I use the words as much as possible. I try to incorporate them into discussions and writings that we do in the class. I continue the idea that the kids do a thumbs up everytime they hear the word, so when we do a read aloud, have a discussion or write and the students hear the word they race to see who can put their thumbs up first.
The remedial lessons for K are something else. We have just finished Adventure 2 and a couple of my students are bored with the program. There are some improvement with thier skills but considering we spend a lot of time during the day practicing the same skills as in the voyager lesson I can not say that it's voyager that is helping.
My first year of using Voyager I didn't see much of a difference. I guess the best feature is that since it is scripted that a sub can do the lesson for that day and you don't get behind. Both district's that I have work in with Voyager have said that you can not miss a day. If you do then you have to do double lessons the next day.
What I really dislike about the program is that it does take time away from some of my other students. I don't have enough time to teach the curriculum but then to have to take 20 minutes to tutor while the others are elsewhere bothers me. I'm lucky that my school has paid for tutors to help otherwise I would be doing 2 20 minute sessions of Voyager. This has really cut into my project based and technology based projects that I want my kids to do and I believe will learn more from doing.
This is my second year with Voyager Passport in kindergarten. I really like the vocabulary lessons, no so much the stories but the fact my kids and I use the words as much as possible. I try to incorporate them into discussions and writings that we do in the class. I continue the idea that the kids do a thumbs up everytime they hear the word, so when we do a read aloud, have a discussion or write and the students hear the word they race to see who can put their thumbs up first.
The remedial lessons for K are something else. We have just finished Adventure 2 and a couple of my students are bored with the program. There are some improvement with thier skills but considering we spend a lot of time during the day practicing the same skills as in the voyager lesson I can not say that it's voyager that is helping.
My first year of using Voyager I didn't see much of a difference. I guess the best feature is that since it is scripted that a sub can do the lesson for that day and you don't get behind. Both district's that I have work in with Voyager have said that you can not miss a day. If you do then you have to do double lessons the next day.
What I really dislike about the program is that it does take time away from some of my other students. I don't have enough time to teach the curriculum but then to have to take 20 minutes to tutor while the others are elsewhere bothers me. I'm lucky that my school has paid for tutors to help otherwise I would be doing 2 20 minute sessions of Voyager. This has really cut into my project based and technology based projects that I want my kids to do and I believe will learn more from doing.
S
son
Guest
Reading Specialist
Thank for you replying. I have several questions. Does your Passport lesson replace the reading lesson for the students? From you reply, it appears to be additonal tutoring. How many are in your Passport group?
We are starting Passport as our reading program for students at risk. This will supplant the regular classroom program (guided reading and balance literacy). We will pull students and work on Passport only.
Is there any pull-out program in your school or do you do your tutoring in the classroom only? I think it would be very hard to do your regular reading program and then Passport, too.
We are going to service K, 1st and 2nd. I will be doing the second grade and wondered if you knew anyone that teaches 2nd that would write to me.
Where are you located? I am in Huffman, TX (suburb of Houston)
Again, thank you for replying. Hope to hear from you again.
Thank for you replying. I have several questions. Does your Passport lesson replace the reading lesson for the students? From you reply, it appears to be additonal tutoring. How many are in your Passport group?
We are starting Passport as our reading program for students at risk. This will supplant the regular classroom program (guided reading and balance literacy). We will pull students and work on Passport only.
Is there any pull-out program in your school or do you do your tutoring in the classroom only? I think it would be very hard to do your regular reading program and then Passport, too.
We are going to service K, 1st and 2nd. I will be doing the second grade and wondered if you knew anyone that teaches 2nd that would write to me.
Where are you located? I am in Huffman, TX (suburb of Houston)
Again, thank you for replying. Hope to hear from you again.
MJH
Senior Member
It's Additional
I must do my 90 minute literacy block plus teach math, science, social studies and complete Voyager. You are right it is very hard to fullfill the curriculum requirements and do Voyager.
We have hired through Title I 2 tutors for the school and they do pull students out but we have so many that need tutoring that I still pull 6 together to tutor. I have 6 students in my group and the program recommends no more than 6 in a group.
We are a Reading First school so we are hoping we can get approval to use RF money to hire one or two more tutors for the school. If that occurs then none of the teachers will have to tutor students.
I'm in Metro Nashville and I will ask the second grade teachers if they will contact you.
I must do my 90 minute literacy block plus teach math, science, social studies and complete Voyager. You are right it is very hard to fullfill the curriculum requirements and do Voyager.
We have hired through Title I 2 tutors for the school and they do pull students out but we have so many that need tutoring that I still pull 6 together to tutor. I have 6 students in my group and the program recommends no more than 6 in a group.
We are a Reading First school so we are hoping we can get approval to use RF money to hire one or two more tutors for the school. If that occurs then none of the teachers will have to tutor students.
I'm in Metro Nashville and I will ask the second grade teachers if they will contact you.
C
Christine
Guest
reading specialist
I find the voyager reading program to be an insult to teaching. I have been highly trained in reading and now I am told I have to read a script and ignore any teaching that I see that needs to be done.
RecentlyI had a "coach" from voyager come to my school and brow beat me until I cried so hard I hyperventilated. I am a good teacher and I have recieved excellent evaluations and observations. Now my name is mud becasue of this lady from voyager becasue I wavered from the script.
I find it very hard to believe that this company has come up with the "magical words" that will make our students excellent readers.
Also, we are teaching for comprehension in Level D, but testing on speed. How is that a valid measure?
Also this company was founded by people from the Bush administration to promote No Child Left Behind. I think it is a all a fad that will pass when we get a new president.
I find the voyager reading program to be an insult to teaching. I have been highly trained in reading and now I am told I have to read a script and ignore any teaching that I see that needs to be done.
RecentlyI had a "coach" from voyager come to my school and brow beat me until I cried so hard I hyperventilated. I am a good teacher and I have recieved excellent evaluations and observations. Now my name is mud becasue of this lady from voyager becasue I wavered from the script.
I find it very hard to believe that this company has come up with the "magical words" that will make our students excellent readers.
Also, we are teaching for comprehension in Level D, but testing on speed. How is that a valid measure?
Also this company was founded by people from the Bush administration to promote No Child Left Behind. I think it is a all a fad that will pass when we get a new president.