S.T.A.R.S.
Students Taking Advantage of Reading Support
In Orleans Parish alone the literacy rate for those 16 and over is a staggering 44%, 19% higher than the national average of 25%. It also states that about 50% of African American ninth graders will not graduate within the next four years. Put both numbers together and what one can formulate from this is that the youth are not adequately equipped with the necessary tools to succeed in academia. This translates to low wages and an even stay or increase in the poverty and violent crime rate within the communities that these young people live.
It is a given that a lot of these youth cannot get a job because they lack the necessary competencies to fill out an application, this is why a program like STARS is so important.
STARS is a 10 month 4 day a week program geared directly toward improving literacy skills and overall English competencies for students grades K-12. Along with perfecting the craft of reading students will also engage in lessons to help with spelling, grammar, broadening vocabulary, and the proper pronunciation of words. The key ingredient to STARS is the use of four commonly used methods coupled with interactive reading software to gage and increase the student’s abilities.
The way in which the program is structured, Upon students first entering the program they are immediately assessed, using SRI testing, to see what reading level they are on. Once this is done, students are placed in a small group setting connected with their reading level. In these settings teachers will use 4 methods, depending upon the level of the student: Phonics rules, sight word, language experience approach, and context support method. Phonics Rules is basically learning sounds and blends of different words, which leads to the pronunciation of words. Sight words is the technique used to help students recognize whole words or sentences, rather than individual sounds. Language experience approach uses illustrations as well as their description. This helps with concept development and the expansion of vocabulary. Lastly, context support method is one used to build the students enthusiasm and passion for learning. In this approach each group will have a book of the month, which the students pick, and at the end of the month the group will come together to discuss what they read.
It is vital that books that encompass the students interests are chosen in order to stimulate, build and maintain a pleasurable experience with reading. Along with the basic teachings, computer programs will also be used.
Discover Intensive Phonics will be used for those students ages 4-9, and as an intervention for SPED students K-6. Discover Intensive Phonics deals exclusively with basic reading/word attack skills. The program has a multi-sensory approach, which means that it will appeal to a student’s individual learning style – visual, auditory, tactile, or kinesthetic. The program is based on Orton-Gillingham principles of instruction. Discover Intensive Phonics courseware was developed specifically for student’s ages 4-9 that exhibit below average reading skills. Instruction combines a mixture of daily multi-sensory direct instruction and independent work on the Discover Intensive Phonics computer software.
Reading Horizons is a software for those students ages 10 and up, who may exhibit below average reading skills. Reading Horizons is a remediation program, incorporating teacher training, direct instruction, and computer courseware. Reading Horizons courseware was developed specifically for students ages 10 and above who exhibit below average reading skills – particularly those reading below a sixth grade reading level. Reading Horizons emphasizes word attack or decoding skills. Excellent teacher in-service provides hands on experience for educators in both direct instruction and computer courseware.
Along with teaching our students to read there will be several benchmark test given throughout to track and record progress. STARS also has other resources to help our students fully develop a proper humanities skill set. There will be a writer’s workshop to develop proper writing skills, grammar, and punctuation. There will also be a speech therapy classes to help those who need help with pronunciation.
In Orleans Parish alone the literacy rate for those 16 and over is a staggering 44%, 19% higher than the national average of 25%. It also states that about 50% of African American ninth graders will not graduate within the next four years. Put both numbers together and what one can formulate from this is that the youth are not adequately equipped with the necessary tools to succeed in academia. This translates to low wages and an even stay or increase in the poverty and violent crime rate within the communities that these young people live.
It is a given that a lot of these youth cannot get a job because they lack the necessary competencies to fill out an application, this is why a program like STARS is so important.
STARS is a 10 month 4 day a week program geared directly toward improving literacy skills and overall English competencies for students grades K-12. Along with perfecting the craft of reading students will also engage in lessons to help with spelling, grammar, broadening vocabulary, and the proper pronunciation of words. The key ingredient to STARS is the use of four commonly used methods coupled with interactive reading software to gage and increase the student’s abilities.
The way in which the program is structured, Upon students first entering the program they are immediately assessed, using SRI testing, to see what reading level they are on. Once this is done, students are placed in a small group setting connected with their reading level. In these settings teachers will use 4 methods, depending upon the level of the student: Phonics rules, sight word, language experience approach, and context support method. Phonics Rules is basically learning sounds and blends of different words, which leads to the pronunciation of words. Sight words is the technique used to help students recognize whole words or sentences, rather than individual sounds. Language experience approach uses illustrations as well as their description. This helps with concept development and the expansion of vocabulary. Lastly, context support method is one used to build the students enthusiasm and passion for learning. In this approach each group will have a book of the month, which the students pick, and at the end of the month the group will come together to discuss what they read.
It is vital that books that encompass the students interests are chosen in order to stimulate, build and maintain a pleasurable experience with reading. Along with the basic teachings, computer programs will also be used.
Discover Intensive Phonics will be used for those students ages 4-9, and as an intervention for SPED students K-6. Discover Intensive Phonics deals exclusively with basic reading/word attack skills. The program has a multi-sensory approach, which means that it will appeal to a student’s individual learning style – visual, auditory, tactile, or kinesthetic. The program is based on Orton-Gillingham principles of instruction. Discover Intensive Phonics courseware was developed specifically for student’s ages 4-9 that exhibit below average reading skills. Instruction combines a mixture of daily multi-sensory direct instruction and independent work on the Discover Intensive Phonics computer software.
Reading Horizons is a software for those students ages 10 and up, who may exhibit below average reading skills. Reading Horizons is a remediation program, incorporating teacher training, direct instruction, and computer courseware. Reading Horizons courseware was developed specifically for students ages 10 and above who exhibit below average reading skills – particularly those reading below a sixth grade reading level. Reading Horizons emphasizes word attack or decoding skills. Excellent teacher in-service provides hands on experience for educators in both direct instruction and computer courseware.
Along with teaching our students to read there will be several benchmark test given throughout to track and record progress. STARS also has other resources to help our students fully develop a proper humanities skill set. There will be a writer’s workshop to develop proper writing skills, grammar, and punctuation. There will also be a speech therapy classes to help those who need help with pronunciation.
