Lit Lab

READMontana’s new Lit Lab programs are designed for students entering grades 5–7 (Intermediate) and grades 7-10 (Secondary) who face challenges in reading and writing. In small-group sessions, these programs build essential literacy skills, including decoding, fluency, vocabulary development, reading comprehension, and structured writing. Using evidence-based strategies, Lit Lab helps students close the gap between their current abilities and academic expectations, providing measurable improvement over the course of the class. 

Lit Lab incorporates well-defined objectives, outcomes, and progress monitoring. With consistent attendance and engagement, students can expect measurable improvement in the following areas: 

• decoding complex words
• vocabulary development
• reading fluency
• text-based comprehension strategies
• sentence construction
• outlining and planning
• written composition 

Both Lit Lab - Intermediate and Lit Lab - Secondary incorporate reading, writing, and peer support to improve academic performance. Lit Lab - Secondary incorporates slightly more advanced vocabulary and reading materials that area geared towards upper grades, as well as more complex writing tasks. Students will be pre-screened to ensure appropriate placement.

Reading:
The reading component of this course utilizes the Voyager Sopris REWARDS Curriculum, a structured, research-based intervention designed to improve reading skills and comprehension. The REWARDS program provides a structured, systematic approach to decoding that breaks down complex words into manageable parts, addressing the common challenges in word recognition and fluency. Key skills addressed include:

• direct and systematic instruction in decoding complex words, including syllabification methods;
• improving academic vocabulary using morphology; 
• fluency development through practice and repetition;
• text-based comprehension strategies.

Writing: 
Using explicit and systematic instruction, The Writing Revolution’s Hochman Method helps build foundational writing skills while also improving critical thinking. Through interactive exercises and peer collaborations, students will practice sentence expansion, revision, and real-time feedback to reinforce grammar and syntax skills, making writing tasks more manageable and accessible. Key components include: 

• sentence construction to improve grammar, syntax, and clarity;
• note-taking stragegies;
• planning, outlining, and ordering skills;
• paragraph composition;
• analysis and short-essay writing (Secondary only).

Peer Support:

Students are given dedicated time to engage in guided discussions centered around their unique strengths and challenges, and will have the opportunity to collaborate on effective strategies for learning. These conversations foster self-advocacy, build confidence, and promote understanding through shared experiences and practical approaches to success.

WHO:

Students who have completed grades 4-10 with reading and writing difficulties.
Note: Students must have foundational reading skills and will be pre-screened by READMontana to determine placement in the Intermediate or Secondary program. Registration fees will be refunded if we determine that neither curriculum is appropriate.

WHEN/WHERE:
Mondays through Thursdays, June 16th through July 10th (4 weeks)

• Intermediate: 1 p.m - 3:15 p.m.
• Secondary: 9 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. 

 READMontana office (292 W. Haley Springs Drive)

COST:

• $100 non-refundable registration fee, applied to total tuition cost (refundable if student is determined to be ineligible)
• $1,190 tuition ($595 due June 1, 2025; $495 due July 1, 2025)

All materials included.

Financial assistance may be available. Contact us for more information.