reading first

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reading first
By feel your pain

We got the reading first grant last year. By the time we received it, we put in about half a year. This is our first full year. YES it is A LOT! It is getting a little better. We didn't test that much before the grant
though and don't do a whole lot of testing now. We went with DIBELS and that is 3 times a year. I do a fluency check every Friday. We have a 90 min. uninterrupted reading block and then 45 min. of interventions(which we are just starting). I work with the ones that are strategic, our intervention team works with the intensive group. My benchmark students work independently reading

and doing leaptrack (which we got through the grant-love it!) We have gotten some awesome materials with the grant and LOTS of books! We got off report last year and are heading upward. I work in the lowest economic area of my town. My kids really are doing well so far. We do have a lot of professional development hours/online course, etc. that we must do. Did you go to the Reading First conference this summer? That is each year from what I understand.

Here is what I am implementing:

*Vocabulary Program (from Elements of Reading)
*Fluency Program (from Elements of Reading)
*90 min block with centers (45 min whole group, 45 min centers)with an aide
*Poetry Folders
*Interventions (which will start soon)

I also teach Spelling, Grammar, Cursive Handwriting, and Math. Science and S.Studies are incorporated into the reading program and no grades are given.

I will be happy to share any tricks or tips I have learned.
I am curious about one thing. You said your grades are good, but the grant was only given to the ones that were "failing". Just wondering how you guys got it.