Washington Reading Corps: Impacts of National Service and the ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

During our interview with him, Stephen left the meeting briefly to make an announcement overthe loudspeaker introducing the “Reading Express Train,” an incentive for all students to readfor the next 20 minutes. This was part of a literacy week planned by Stephen and Kristine,which included a literacy night, a play performed by students from the high school, contributionsfrom Hastings Books, and an author coming to read to the students.The principal explained to us that that the AmeriCorps members have “helped change thepicture this year to give new life to the program.” She realizes that it is important in the future tocontinue making little changes. She is heartened to see the value that teachers have felt about theReading Corps.In addition to Kristine and Stephen, other dedicated volunteers at the school include parents,retired community members, and students in Linwood’s fourth grade classes who tutor youngerstudents. Whitworth College has also sent volunteers. During the January term, professorsprepared 50 education majors in a children’s literature course.Program LogisticsKristine, who set up the daily schedule of tutoring, explained that she spoke with each teacherto arrange times for students to receive tutoring. There are 133 students this year in the WRC,even though the whole school is involved. Each teacher targets seven students for services.Teachers administer running records for K-2 students and share these with Kristine. They areobserving growth, especially for second graders.A highlight of Linwood’s Reading Corps is a calendar system that has been established toencourage reading at home. Parents are guided to supply 15 minutes of reading per night withtheir child. Feedback from 97 percent of the parents has been positive about the program. Theyhave indicated that they liked knowing what they should be doing to help their kids with theirreading, that the program gave them a focus, and that they saw changes in their children.Known to the students as “the Calendar Man,” Stephen collects the calendars and organizes themonthly assembly in which students are honored for their reading achievements. A localrestaurant provides free buffet meal certificates to the students each month.We visited two fourth grade classrooms where the students perform cross-age tutoring withkindergartners and second graders once a week. They work together on spelling, learning thealphabet, sounding out words, and—for many—learning English as a new language. Theirteachers reported that good relationships have been formed between their students and theyounger ones. “When a week goes by, they ask for their ‘Buddy Reading’ time,” one teachersaid.Several students added their own comments about their tutoring experience:• “The kindergartners like it!”14
• “I like reading Dr. Seuss.”• “The little kids ask questions, a lot of questions.”SuccessesThe principal and the volunteer coordinator expressed the following as indicators that theReading Corps was working well in their school:• Parents now have a focus, a specific way to work with their children at home.• Students have made gains in reading.• Teachers have indicated that the WRC has given them a breath of fresh air and that readingis again fun to teach.The two AmeriCorps members also relayed the following indicators of success:• Children’s attitudes toward reading have improved. Kids want to read with them.• There’s been dramatic improvement for some of the lowest students.15
Page 1 and 2: Northwest Regional Educational Labo
Page 3 and 4: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSWe would like to th
Page 5: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYIn 1997, Washingto
Page 8 and 9: INTRODUCTIONIn 1997, Washington adm
Page 10 and 11: • What role do national service m
Page 12 and 13: During our site visits, we had inte
Page 16 and 17: Volunteers feel like they are seein
Page 20 and 21: Harney ElementaryBackgroundBefore g
Page 22 and 23: work!” the reading specialists to
Page 24 and 25: Other Community InvolvementIn addit
Page 26 and 27: Lacey ElementaryBackgroundPosters w
Page 28 and 29: Tracy learned about the WRC after h
Page 30 and 31: • They feel that fewer of the stu
Page 32 and 33: • Supplies and Miscellaneous Supp
Page 34 and 35: Kiwanis club provided funds toward
Page 36 and 37: PROFILESStudents, parents, local ci
Page 38 and 39: As for future plans, I am going to
Page 40 and 41: and AmeriCorps people there for the
Page 42 and 43: started to come out, and the rates
Page 44 and 45: major prior to entering the US Army
Page 46 and 47: members insight into various tutori
Page 48 and 49: I truly believe in this program and
Page 50 and 51: information back to Tillicum as the
Page 52 and 53: tutoring sessions stimulating. This
Page 54 and 55: A tutor in Wenatchee began working
Page 56 and 57: the beginning of the year. By the e
Page 58 and 59: Table 2Summary of Slosson Scores* b
Page 60 and 61: THE WRC KEY AREA COODINATORS,COMPON
Page 62 and 63: TrainingThe following list outlines
Page 64 and 65: • Inviting parents to observe tut
Page 66 and 67: One key area coordinator said that
Page 68 and 69:
• Participation in the WRC also b
show all

Washington Reading Corps: Impacts of National Service and the ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?