Reading Instruction in the Primary Grades
Effective instruction, which is systematic and ongoing, is intended to encourage reading and introduce students to books. It includes reading books (preferably complete texts), participating in oral or written activities for reading comprehension, and exchanging meanings, opinions, and ideas about texts. Occasional activities (e.g., exhibitions, meetings with authors, reading promotion campaigns) reinforce daily instruction but do not themselves guarantee good reading habits. The Ministry of Education works with the autonomous communities to develop plans for the promotion of reading and the development of reading comprehension to support schools, especially those in which students with disadvantaged backgrounds are enrolled. Article 19 of the Organic Law for the Improvement of Educational Quality states that time should be devoted each day to reading instruction to enforce positive reading habits.22
Instructional Materials
Teacher teams in schools select textbooks and other teaching resources needed for instruction according to their school programs. Teachers often supplement textbooks with workbooks that include reading comprehension activities and children’s literature anthologies. All books made available for the teaching staff (e.g., textbooks, teachers’ manuals) are for reference purposes and are not prescribed. Article 113 of the Organic Law for the Improvement of Educational Quality states that every school must have a school library.23
Use of Technology
In primary education, the importance of integrating technologies in the area of language and literature is specified as a means to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The specified content in the primary stage includes references to new technologies for learning support, as a source of information, and to improve classroom activities and peer learning settings. Students are evaluated on their use of these tools to write and present texts and search for information.
The virtual center Leer.es was created to promote reading as a basic learning tool in a range of educational fields.24 Designed for teachers, students, and families, the website includes European and American reading news and an interactive map showing the programs and activities offered by the different autonomous communities. It also provides sections on libraries, professional development, and educational best practices.
Role of Reading Specialists
There are no reading specialists in primary education in Spain. Instead, the language and literature teacher (normally the classroom teacher) is responsible for reading instruction. Teachers of other subjects also cover reading comprehension.
Second Language Instruction
Students entering education without sufficient command of the instructional language are sent to special linkage classes (aulas de enlace) in schools with specialist teachers. They may stay for up to several months until their language skills improve to the point that they are able to attend classes in their regular school. If their language difficulties persist, they may attend remedial classes within their school, where they may stay for a large portion of their learning time.
Accommodation Policies for Instruction and Testing
The Organic Law for the Improvement of Educational Quality states that appropriate measures must be established to adapt conditions for the instruction and testing of students with special needs.25 Students can be provided with an Individual Curriculum Adaptation developed by the teacher and implemented in the classroom, as a means to adapt the reading content to students’ specific needs. Students with more severe difficulties may receive support outside of the classroom for certain periods of time. During that time, special education teachers work one on one with these students to help them overcome their reading difficulties.