LEARNING TO LOVE LITERACY

Crossroads Elementary-Bath Co.606-674-2101Lara Little (5th Grade) Tiffany Sholar (RtI K-5)Lara.little@bath.kyschools.usTiffany.sholar@bath.kyschools.us

A Snapshot of Our School: A Year Ago

Low student interest in reading

Poor KPREP and MAP scores in reading

Lack of understanding of how to choose a book

Library was not being utilized

Overall, reading was seen as tedious

and without enjoyment

SKILL AND DRILL

A Snapshot of Our School: Today

Students getting excited about reading and sharing what they’ve read

Requesting books for the classroom and school library

Students choosing appropriate level books

Reading across the building-in the gym, in the classroom, packing their books at all times

Deeply engaged in silent reading time-desire to continue reading

Library used daily

Parent comments on positive attitude changes

Challenges Ahead

Resistance to change from faculty

Adding to the plate of stressed teachers

Reluctance to participate

Making the shift from isolated skill to

balanced literacy

A Road Map to Reading

A desire to change the attitude toward reading in your building

Hands on, on-going professional development

Developing a multifaceted plan of action to fit your needs

Understanding it is an on-going, building process

Allowing time for processing and buy in to your changes

Worked in phases beginning in single 5th grade classroom and K-5 RtI groups

Read Aloud & Choices

Allow for choice of titles & spaces to read

Make time to read daily (15 mins.)

Model excitement and enjoyment for reading

Resources: The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease

Engaging Texts & Literature Circles

Current events and articles geared towards student interest

Choice of book topics & roles in literature circles

Time allotted for reading in class and working on literature circles

Resources: Good Reads Website

Fun Competition to Broaden Reading

Amazing Book Race

Winter Reading Challenge (Pintrest)

Lexia Challenge (RAA Week)

Resources: Pintrest & Teachers Pay Teachers

Adult Participation

Literature Circle Guests

Parent’s as partner readers

Presentation to the school board

Resources:Reading Rockets

A School Wide Reading Time

Announcements moved to 2:55

Silent reading time 3:00-3:15

All adults, students and guests spend this time reading

You can open all the doors and it is silent

throughout the building

Resources: The Reading Zone by Nancy Atwell

The New Face of Family Reading Night

Whole group meeting

Teacher led parent training mini-sessions

Open book fair

Choice of fun activities-Fiesta Themed

Variety of guest readers-MSU students

Community resource collaboration

Resources: National Center for Family Learning

Student Results & Data

Reading Survey

Prior to 5th grade 56% of students read less than 2 times per week, 23% NEVER read

Now 56% of students say they are reading daily and only 4% say they never read

Prior to 5th grade 71% of students never picked up a book during a break

Now 86% of students say they are reading on breaks from school

Little impact on genre of choice

19% of students rated love of reading as 0-4

81% of students rated love of reading as 5-10

Students cited the following activities as having the greatest impact on their reading:

Teacher Read Alouds, Storyworks Magazine, Reader’s Theater, Literature Circles, Student choice of text, library as part of the activity rotation

Student Results & Data

4th Grade MAP Data (Reading Growth)

Expected Growth: 7 points

Avg. Class Growth: 7.5 points

Percentage of Growth Met: 107%

33% of students making above average growth

5th Grade MAP Data (Reading Growth)

Expected Growth: 5 point

Avg. Class Growth: 8.46 point

Percentage of Growth Met: 170%

66% of students making above average growth

Next Steps

Round table discussions among faculty of :

what works with literature circles

Good read aloud for primary and intermediate

Reading zone strategies for non-readers

Getting more quality books into the classroom

Creating more relaxed reading atmosphere in all classrooms

Resources: Keith Lyons, KY Reading Association