MARCH 2020 VOL. 5
Ms. Wilens classroom during Reading Blocks, with a special visit from Sue and Sparky
READING BLOCKS Our student body has always been diverse with unique strengths and learning needs. To address the wide range of skills and targeted learning areas, our teaching staff often relied on pull-out resource services to support individual students with more extreme needs. However, this year a new practice to address the wide range of academic skills has been taking place at Knapp School. Maureen Gilligan, Director of Instruction and Assessment, has guided the Resource Team and elementary through middle school teachers in organizing and providing instruction in skills-based cohorts. Ms. Gilligan offered her insights on the benefit of skills-based group instruction. “My feeling is it’s much better to keep the students in their classroom and push into the room. This keeps students in front of teachers who can provide specialized literacy instruction. It is proven effective to help students build skills while they’re learning since they’re just
starting to engage in literacy practices themselves.” Testing results from an assessment program called Fastbridge were used to determine student groupings. Students with similar learning profiles are grouped together and teachers can plan specific learning activities to meet the group’s needs. Etty Wilens, a Knapp School elementary teacher, leads students through a literacy lesson that begins with an introduction to “mystery words.” She reads a story with the class and asks them to raise their hand upon hearing the word. Students are given their own booklets to read along for reinforcement. Afterwards, students discuss these mystery words in the text, and do a hands-on activity for more reinforcement. Often, our students with emotional or learning disabilities have experienced disruptions in their schooling, resulting in gaps in their basic academic skills. Working side by side with peers at their
level helps students build confidence while they learn. Rachel Blackburn, Reading and Instruction Coach/ Specialist, shared that skills-based group instruction has immediate benefits as well as long-term effects.
“For students who are approaching reintegration, grouped learning better prepares students for this transition. Each year, we will know the academic level of each student and are able to provide immediate intervention where it is needed.” -Rachel Blackburn
A CHAMPION FOR EVERY CHILD