New STARI Unit; New Remote Learning Resources
STARI is a comprehensive reading intervention for struggling readers in grades 6 through 9.
It brings together complex social issues, riveting literature, and engaging discussion while at the same time building foundational reading skills not gained in the earlier grades. SERP is very pleased to announce that a timely, new unit has been added to the program. In addition, we are developing device-friendly versions of the materials to help with remote learning. STARI curriculum materials are accessible online free of charge.
Past and Present Examined in "Bearing Witness"
In Unit 2.1 (STARI’s new unit, Bearing Witness), students read nonfiction material about the murder of Emmett Till in the 50s, plus a fiction piece in which a victim of modern police violence meets the ghost of Emmett Till. Like all STARI units, Bearing Witness includes a student workbook to guide students through reading assignments and to introduce crucial comprehension and decoding skills. Teacher resources include slides, lesson plans, progress monitoring assessments, do nows/exit tickets, and more. The development of reading fluency is also a major component of STARI. In this unit, the four levels of reading passages are all connected to the overarching theme of social justice.

Efforts to Set Up STARI for Remote Learning
The Bearing Witness materials are available in the same format as all the other units: free PDF downloads or pre-printed materials available to purchase. However, we are also trying something new. The STARI team has taken the following steps in order to support teachers and students who may be looking for device-friendly materials to use for remote learning, since working with printed documents may be more difficult right now.
For the Unit 2.1 Bearing Witness materials:
- We divided the student workbook into lesson-by-lesson downloads.
- We made “fillable PDFs” that can be completed on devices instead of with pen or pencil.
- We posted student-friendly lesson overviews with links to materials (some teachers may choose to cut/paste these into their own learning management systems).
- We produced brief instructional videos that cover the content of each mini-lesson.
- We added an open website with no registration necessary, so teachers can point students directly to assignments, if that is helpful.
- We have included recommendations about how to adapt each component for distance learning, including suggestions about what can be done synchronously vs. asynchronously.
This special adaptation of Unit 2.1 is ready now. Similar adaptations of Unit 1.1 and Unit 3.1 are on the way.
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