Reading & Rhythm Teacher Training – Los Angeles County
LAUSD teachers training in the Reading & Rhythm program
The Reading & Rhythm program accelerates students' reading abilities through the revolutionary use of rhythm for 12 students at a time, while the Reading & Rhythm Teacher Training programs affect 250 students annually by initially training a group of 10 teachers. The effective and cost efficient Reading & Rhythm Teacher Training program is available anywhere in the United States. Its upfront cost is higher, but ultimately affects many more students. With no cost after the first year, the program is essentially free for the career of each teacher, reaching thousands of students over time for the one initial investment.

The Reading & Rhythm Teacher Training program is a powerful strategy to address the needs of struggling readers.  It is the universal appeal of rhythm that makes Reading & Rhythm stand out among other reading strategies.  The Reading & Rhythm Teacher Training program delivers and average increase of 50% in reading scores. Drumming for Your Life facilitators and K-12 teachers have pre and post tested over 3,000 students who participated in the program.
 
The Reading & Rhythm Teacher Training program connects the fight response in the amygdala part of the brain to the intellect of the frontal cortex.  The amygdala perceives a life threatening situation which then creates a fight or flight response.  Similar experiences happen to poor readers who shut down and mentally run away (flight) from reading.  By redirecting the fight response to the intellect, the Reading & Rhythm Teacher Training program is empowering kids to fight for an education.

“Most importantly, the Reading & Rhythm Teacher Training program gave students a sense of focus and direction for “moving through” or continuing the reading of a sentence.  Finishing reading a sentence and being able to focus their energy on comprehension not only improved their reading and self-esteem but gave students a reading technique that they own and use wherever the ideas in stories take them.”
--Diane Collins, Hollenbeck Middle School, Los Angeles


Los Angeles County Training Specifics for 10 Teachers

Initial training can take place in a one 8 hour session or two 4 hour sessions over 2 days.

Instruction

  • DFYL Facilitator instructs teachers in the Reading & Rhythm program
  • Learn how rhythm (drumming) works to break through psychological barriers towards reading
  • Learn the seven structural rules of the program to eliminate poor reading habits
  • Learn to use tempo (metronome - beats per minute) to increase fluency
  • Learn how rhythm increases focus and concentration
  • Learn new techniques for comprehension,  vocabulary, and spelling

Practice

  • Each teacher will practice leading the “group in training” in the Reading & Rhythm program with the support of the facilitator

Training Follow up

  • After Initial Training: 5 days of individual teacher in classroom instruction / 30 minutes per teacher
  • Follow-up:  3 hour  review with all teachers after one week
  • Check-up after first  month: 1 day / 30 minutes per teacher in classroom instruction
  • Check-up per quarter (one day every three months for the remainder of  year):  3 days / 30 minutes per teacher per day in classroom instruction

Materials

  • Each teacher receives a metronome, Reading & Rhythm Teacher Training Manual, DVD, Certificate of Completion, and access to additional support at dfyl.org

Reading & Rhythm Teacher Training – Los Angeles County cost: $6,000