3. Peer Assisted Learning Strategies
The strategy also creates opportunities for a
teacher to circulate in the class, observe
students, and provide individual remedial
lessons.
5. Peer Assisted Learning Strategies
PALS Reading is a structured, peer-mediated
reading activity appropriate for students in
preschool through grade 6 and high school.
All students in a class are divided into pairs.
Each member of the pair takes turns being
coach and reader.
6. Peer Assisted Learning Strategies
PALS Math
PALS Math has two basic coaching procedures: coaching
and practice. During coaching, students work on a sheet
of problems in the skill area (e.g., adding, subtracting
with regrouping, number concepts, charts, and graphs)
to which they have been assigned.
7. Peer Assisted Learning Strategies
PALS Research
Fuchs, D., & Fuchs, L.S. (l998). Researchers and teachers working
together to adapt instruction for diverse learners. Learning Disabilities
Research and Practice, 13, 126-137.
Summarizes the research program on reading PALS, along with the
research-to-practice model, by which researchers and teachers
collaboratively developed and tested PALS.
Fuchs, D., Fuchs, L.S., Al Otaiba, S.,Thompson, A.,Yen, L., McMaster,
K.N., Svenson, E., &Yang, N.J. (2001). K-PALS: Helping kindergartners
with reading readiness:Teachers and researchers in partnerships.
Teaching Exceptional Children, 33 (4), 76-80.
Describes the kindergarten reading PALS methods.
8. Peer Assisted Learning Strategies
Program Overview
Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS) is a 25-to-35-
minute math or reading activity implemented two to four
times per week. It is designed to complement, not
replace, existing reading and math curricula. PALS
supplements traditional peer tutoring with instructional
principles and practices.Teachers identify and pair
children who require help with specific skills ("players")
with children who are the most appropriate to help other
children learn those skills ("coaches").The pairs of
students are changed regularly, so, over a period of time,
the students work on a variety of skills and all students
have the opportunity to be "coaches" and "players."
9. Peer Assisted Learning Strategies
Program Design
Materials needed for PALS implementation are
minimal and inexpensive.They include the PALS
teacher's manual, a box of blank transparencies,
an overhead projector, a transparency pen,
pocket folders for each pair of students (to hold
the PALS materials), and access to a photocopier
to make copies of lessons for students. In
addition, a kitchen timer is recommended to
help teachers with appropriate pacing during the
lesson.
10. Peer Assisted Learning Strategies
The strategy provides direct opportunities for a teacher
to circulate in the class, observe students, and offer
individual remediation. PALS therefore allows for
differentiated instruction via having partners work
simultaneously on various teacher-directed activities.