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How to Improve Reading Using SRA

SRA is a reading program designed by a scientist named Don Parker in the 1950s for McGraw-Hill. The SRA reading method features color-coded levels of reading segments. The segments are printed in a set of books that teachers or homeschool instructors can use to teach children at different reading levels simultaneously, using the same materials. Students start at the color level that fits their individual reading skill level, and they read only that color until their skills progress and they can move up to the next color and the next reading level.

McGraw-Hill SRA Reading Program

Instructions

- 1
  Give students a pretest from McGraw-Hill's SRA reading program to determine the color level at which each student should be reading. Use the Teacher's Handbook and Student Record Book included with the SRA materials to plan reading times and track student progress over time.
- 2
  Assign reading sections called "Power Builders" to each student and allot the students appropriate time to work their way independently through the reading selections, comprehension questions, and vocabulary as well as word-study exercises in each section.
- 3
  Give students SRA key cards, which they may use to self-check the answers to their work when have completed the work in their "Power Builders" section.
- 4
  Help students improve their reading comprehension by allotting time for them to work through color-appropriate "Rate Builder" exercises. Make yourself available throughout the exercises to answer questions and help students, who are stuck on a specific word or phrase.

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