AERO (becoming Circle Reading) is a tutoring and intervention curriculum developed by the Children’s Learning Institute (CLI) at UTHealth Houston to help children learn to read, and accelerate the development of their early reading outcomes. It is designed especially for struggling readers.
Created for online delivery on CLI Engage, AERO is adapted from the Reading RULES! curriculum, which was developed for delivery to students using print based materials. AERO not only allows educators to pivot between in-person and remote instruction, but it also reduces the cost of instructional materials for schools, allowing more funds to be directed to staff who deliver this evidence-based instruction to students.
Curriculum
This evidence-based curriculum concentrates on explicit instruction in letter names and sounds, phonological awareness, phonics, text reading, and fluency. It also includes vocabulary and comprehension support. A placement assessment allows early readers at any level to jump in with a lesson that provides the targeted support they need. Progress monitoring measures allow the tutor to individualize the pace of instruction according to a student’s mastery of content.
AERO contains 78 units categorized into nine levels based on the specific skills addressed in each unit. Within each of the 78 units, there are normally 2-4 lessons, plus an additional review lesson in many units for students needing more practice and support. Each lesson is designed to be implemented within 20 minutes. Lessons are systematically designed and sequenced to build reading confidence and independence.
AERO resources ensure student success and facilitate effective and quick adoption of the curriculum.
- AERO Assessments are integrated with the curriculum and guide student placement and progress through lessons.
AERO Trainings are a comprehensive series of independent, self-paced, online courses that prepare teachers and tutors to teach the curriculum.
Looking for more information? Read our reports on the AERO Curriculum and why it works!
AERO Assessments
We recognize that data reports should be easily accessible, quickly digestible, and provide multiple perspectives. The AERO Assessments reporting feature provides snapshots of student skill levels at the individual, group, class, school, and even district levels. The reports use clear visual indicators to flag students below established benchmarks.
AERO Training
Looking to get some help on how to implement AERO in your classroom? Look no further. You’ll go through five self-instructional courses:
- Curriculum Introduction
Getting Started with the Curriculum
Teaching Phonological Awareness and Phonetic Knowledge
Teaching Fluency, Vocabulary, Comprehension, & Spelling
Assessments and Reports
