Reading & Rhythm Teacher Training – National

	Kings County (CA) teacher 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 an 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.

	“Teachers actually notice that their students were reading better after ONE day of practice.  After the first week, one teacher searched for more difficult reading material, actually trying to trip up her students – but they breezed right through the reading material. The results are truly astounding.”
	-- Janet Schales, Principal of Kings County Office of Education

National 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 Teacher Training 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 Teacher Training 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 via webcam or in person: 1 day / 30 minutes per teacher in classroom instruction
• Check-up per quarter (one day every three months via webcam or in person 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 – National cost: $7,000
Approximate Travel expenses according to area for one week (7 nights)