Destination Graduation...Preventing Drop-Outs in First Grade
My students need 17 fun and interactive reading and phonics materials such as crayons, magnetic pockets, Sentence Building Instant Learning Centers, word games, and desk mats.
I teach a remedial reading program aimed at first graders called "First Steps". Through my testing and the classroom teacher's observations, we find those students that are having trouble with learning to read. I teach each student for 30 minutes a day in a one-to-one environment focusing on exactly what that child is having trouble with. These children are in need of a very specific intervention. While all subjects are important in first grade, reading is the focus. If a child doesn't learn to read in first grade, success in other subjects and grades is sure to be compromised. A little extra help could put a struggling child onto a path of excellence!
The "First Steps" program is only into its second year at our school. I spent the first year begging, borrowing, and piecing together materials to start up this program. As hand-me-downs go, the materials aren't in good condition and are definitely not considered interactive. Our district was hard hit by Hurricane Katrina, and additional funding just isn't possible at this time. But whether or not the funding is available, the need still exists and we will meet it no matter what it takes!!
The resources I am asking for are a new intervention Reading program and hands-on activities and games focusing on phonics and writing. I have on average about 20 students a day and each one will use and benefit from these materials.
I have never experienced anything like the moment you see a 6 year old child "get it" when they are reading. You can literally see the amazing transformation of letters on a page to a word that has a meaning. The door to the entire world opens and a child from a poor community can escape into the pages of a book to be and see anything that they want. Please help me teach children that the possibilities are endless and that success in reading can equal success in life.
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