Turning a New Page

Last year Principal Lehman, reading teachers, and a representative from all grade levels met to discuss our upcoming reading textbook adoption.  After reviewing several textbooks and listening to presentations by book companies, our committee decided that these basal series did not fully meet our needs.  Our goal was to better meet the widely varying needs of the children in our classroom.  We concluded that using whole group instruction exclusively would not meet the needs of children whose reading levels vary so greatly. 

After a year long investigation which included observations at other schools, the committee has made several recommendations we will be implementing this year. 

We are keeping our current reading series and will be using it for part of our reading instruction at grade level.  This is whole group instruction.

We will be using assessment evaluations to establish each child’s reading level. Assessments use leveled books to pinpoint a child’s reading level.  It addresses accuracy, fluency and reading strategies. We will also address comprehension through a retelling or writing.

After the assessment component of our reading program, our instruction will include Guided Reading.  Guided Reading involves teaching children how to use reading strategies at their current instructional level.  Teachers teach these strategies in small groups which change throughout the year.  All classroom teachers and reading support teachers will receive training throughout the school year from a Guided Reading specialist. 

As part of this program, a Book Room has been established.  In the Book Room leveled books have been gathered and labeled for the use of any elementary teacher at the school.  Also in the Book Room is a variety of resources to support classroom teachers. It is a wonderful place to find a book that is “just right” for each child in our classroom.

Currently, classroom teachers are establishing each child’s reading level.  Training in Guided Reading began in late September and teachers will begin to prepare their students and classrooms for Guided Reading by introducing literacy activities they want to use during Guided Reading time.  Later in the year teachers will begin conducting Guided Reading groups.  At that time children will spend part of their reading instruction time in a whole group as well as a smaller Guided Reading group. 

During the school year, look for more detailed information about the components of our reading program in the Knightly News or in newsletters sent home by your child’s classroom reading teacher.