Language Experience Approach (LEA)

This is a reading program that works well with non- readers and helps the students begin to feel successful in the ability to read. Students read their own writing faster than reading others writing. This strategy can be used across subject areas and is an excellent way to have students review information taught in Social Studies and Science.
 

Instructions:

1. The teacher prepares an experience or activity for the students to participate in.
2. The students then tell the teacher in complete sentences what they did.
3. The teacher writes the sentences up on chart paper or types it on a computer for all to see.
4. All students should participate in adding to the story. The teacher should identify each student as they add to the story. This can be done by writing…Jill said “We had fun with our experiment”. It can also be written… We had fun with our experiment.
5. The teacher then reads the story aloud for the students to hear putting her hand under each word as it is read.
6. The teacher then has the students read the story with her.
7. After reading the story the teacher can have the students underline words they can read. These can be added to a word bank.
8. The teacher can also begin to teach punctuation as the story is written.
9. The story should be printed for each student to receive a copy.
10. The students can illustrate the story.
11. The stories can be made into individual books for the students.

This approach can be done with beginning readers and with older students by modifying the steps slightly to meet the needs of the students. It can be used with small groups as well as whole class.