A Push-In Approach to Literacy
As one of the Madison CUSD #12's Speech and Language Pathologists , I am expected to participate in the Harris Accelerated Elementary School's Improvement Plan for Reading and Math Literacy.
This initiative evolved out of concern related to poor student perfomance(s) in the aforementioned academic areas. An academic spotlight regarding the target areas commenced and Literacy Blocks (a period of time within the daily school activities which emphasize reading, writing and math) were scheduled to address the concerns. The blocks allow 2(two) 45 minute sessions daily for reading and 1(one) 45 minute session daily for math.
Since proficiency in reading and math is of paramount importance to a student's learning and success in life, a whole team approach to improvement began. At Harris School, this approach involves all general education teachers in grades K - 3rd, paraprofessionals/teacher's assistants, one-on-one personal aides, student teachers, special teachers(P.E., Music, Behavioral Therapeutics, Librarian), special education teachers(cross-categorical and speech and language). All of these individuals are assigned a schedule highlighting grade levels, days of the week, time and classrooms to work collaboratively. These individuals are called the "Push-In Staff".
I will, as a Push-In Staff member, assist all third grade teachers during their reading and math blocks on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These days coincide with my current speech and language therapy schedule days for the Harris building. I will work closely with the teachers to help plan and implement lessons to enhance the students' learning potential in the classroom setting.
Reading target areas include, but are not limited to the following:
- phonological awareness - student's explicit knowledge of the sound segments(phonemes) which comprise words... decoding, auditory and visual components
- vocabulary - verbal and/or non-verbal use of words in our language (the ability to use context).
- comprehension - the understanding of what is read. Comprehension is the only purpose for reading and thus the overall goal of all reading instruction(conceptual-language based).
Math target areas include, but are not limited to the following:
- place value
- addition, subtraction, multiplication and division(with and without remainders)
- problem solving
- graphs
- fractions, decimals and percents
I look forward to many exciting moments with the children.
"Whatever it takes, our kids are worth it!"
