Eastwood Elementary School Receives Reading First Grant!
WHAT IS READING FIRST?
Reading First is a federally funded grant that provides funds to states to help schools and school districts improve children's reading achievement through scientifically proven methods of instruction in kindergarten through third grade classrooms. Through Reading First, states and districts receive support to apply scientifically based reading research—and the proven instructional and assessment tools consistent with this research—to ensure that all children learn to read well by the end of third grade.
A ninety-minute uninterrupted block of reading time provides instruction in the five effective components of a reading program: phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency. Individualized and small group interventions are also available for those students in need.
Building on a solid foundation of research, the program is designed to select, implement, and provide professional development for teachers using scientifically based reading programs, and to ensure accountability through ongoing, valid and reliable screening, diagnostic, and classroom-based assessment.
Helping Your Child Learn to Read
- Invite your child to read with you every day.
- When reading a book where the print is large, point word by word as you read. This will help your child learn that reading goes from left to right and understand that the word said is the word seen.
- Read your child's favorite book over and over.
- Read many stories with rhyming words and repeated lines. Invite your child to join in on these parts. Point, word by word, as your child reads along with you.
- Discuss new words. For example, "This big house is called a palace. Who do you think lives in a palace?"
- Stop and ask about the pictures and about what is happening in the story.
- Read from a variety of children's books, including fiction and non-fiction books, fairy tales, song books, poems.
- From Reading Tips for Parents, U.S. Department of Education. Available online at http://www.ed.gov/parents/read/resources/readingtips/index.html or call 1-800-USA-LEARN.
