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 pointsAvg. Class Growth: 7.5 pointsPercentage of Growth Met: 107%

33% of students making above average growth

5th Grade MAP Data (Reading Growth)

Expected Growth: 5 pointAvg. Class Growth: 8.46 pointPercentage 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