READMontana’s new Lit Lab (Intermediate) program is designed for students in grades 4–6 who face challenges in reading and writing. Through twice-weekly, small-group sessions, the program builds 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 in 17 weeks. 

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 

ReadMontana's Lit Lab program incorporates reading, writing, and peer support to improve academic performance.

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.

Peer Support:

Students are given dedicated time to engage in guided discussions centered centered around their unique strengths and challenges, and will have to 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 currently in grades 4-6 with identified reading and writing difficulties.
Note: Students must have foundational reading skills and will be pre-screened by READMontana to determine eligibility. Registration fees will be refunded for students who do not meet course requirements.

WHEN/WHERE:
February 3 - June 4, 2025 (17 weeks, no class March 17th and 19th)
Mondays & Wednesdays, 4 - 5:30 pm
READMontana office (292 W. Haley Springs Drive)

COST:
$100 non-refundable registration fee, which will be deducted from the final month's tuition (refundable if student is determined to be ineligible)
$395 billed monthly (Feb/March/April/May) or $1,500 if paid in full in advance.
All materials included.

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