Fast Lane FAQs
Who can use Fast Lane?
Fast Lane has been developed for pupils in the middle years of school who are struggling with literacy. The pupil may have a learning difficulty, be disengaged or simply require further reading practice. Whatever the reason, these books aim to increase reading ability and confidence by appealing to the pupil’s interest levels and reading level.
The programme is also structured to assist English Language Learners in developing proficiency in reading. The language structures and visual elements are highly supportive and have been trialed extensively with pupils from English Speaking Backgrounds (ESB) and English Language Learners (ELL).
How can this be used alongside my current reading resources?
Fast Lane is based on the most widespread leveling system in UK primary schools; the reading recovery book bands. As such it can be slotted into any school reading collection organized using book banding. In addition, the Teacher Guide’s provide matching grids and guidance for using Fast Lane alongside intervention schemes such as Fischer Hi-Five.
The assessment materials in the Teacher Guide’s, including reading records, allow accurate leveling and progression for any teacher using book bands to organize their reading intervention resources.
What can be done to improve fluency and pronunciation?
Ask the pupil to listen to the audio CD and practice reading the text along with the voice. The pupil should be encouraged to have a number of readings of the same text. Pupils should also be encouraged to read known texts below their instructional reading level.
When should the pupil listen to the audio CD?
It is strongly recommended that the pupil attempts to read the written text before listening to the audio component.
How long should a pupil remain on the programme?
This will vary from pupil to pupil. A pupil can enter or leave the Fast Lane programme at any point. However, entry or departure should be determined by focused assessment.
Does the pupil have to read all of the texts at one level?
No, the pupil doesn’t have to read all of the texts. However, reading a bundle of texts, both fiction and non-ficiton, at one level, ensures that the pupil has plenty of practice before moving on to the next level. Having a breadth of experience at any one level will make the transition into the next level easier.
Fast Lane has been designed to move pupils laterally across fiction and non-fiction texts while also moving them forward.