Differentiating Independent Reading A Strategy benefitting GATE students at Freese Arts and Culture Magnet School

Explanation of the Strategy Freese uses the Scholastic Reading Counts (SRC) independent reading program to ensure every student rises to his/her potential in literacy Freese uses the Scholastic Reading Counts (SRC) independent reading program to ensure every student rises to his/her potential in literacy Independent study via SRC provides acceleration for high-achieving and under-achieving pupils who are identified as gifted and talented. Independent study via SRC provides acceleration for high-achieving and under-achieving pupils who are identified as gifted and talented.

Explanation of the Strategy In SRC, students In SRC, students –Set reading goals –Read independently –Take quizzes on books read independently –Receive credit for the number of words in the book when they pass a quiz The goal setting process serves much like an “Independent Study Contract” which is self and teacher monitored. The goal setting process serves much like an “Independent Study Contract” which is self and teacher monitored.

Explanation of Strategy Teachers conference with students individually and in small groups about SRC in order to ensure that every student reaches his/her highest potential in literacy Teachers conference with students individually and in small groups about SRC in order to ensure that every student reaches his/her highest potential in literacy

Explanation of Strategy Because of the individual and independent nature of the program, GATE students are able to choose books that are both interesting and beneficial to them and that work to increase their literacy skills all year long. Because of the individual and independent nature of the program, GATE students are able to choose books that are both interesting and beneficial to them and that work to increase their literacy skills all year long. Differentiation in this manner allows opportunities for learning that are commensurate with the gifted and talented pupils’ particular abilities and talents. Differentiation in this manner allows opportunities for learning that are commensurate with the gifted and talented pupils’ particular abilities and talents.

Sample Lessons Each student has a chart similar to this for every month of the school year, in his/her student planner. Each student has a chart similar to this for every month of the school year, in his/her student planner. This is one way a teacher might check in regularly with students to monitor and give feedback on the student’s progress This is one way a teacher might check in regularly with students to monitor and give feedback on the student’s progress Scholastic Reading Counts! Freese Goal: 100,000,000 words school wide by May 28, 2010 Do your part to help us reach our goal! Words Read Goal (Work with your teacher to set your goal) Actual Words Read/ Overall Total So Far Book/Series I’m reading at the beginning of the month Book/Series I’m reading at the end of the month Did my work in this month’s reading help my reading achievement? Sample20,0009,876/28,536 American Girl: Meet Addy American Girl: Changes for Addy Yes No Teacher’s Initial____ September Yes No Teacher’s Initial____ October Yes No Teacher’s Initial____

Sample Lessons Lessons that help students use the SRC tool most effectively to generate growth in reading might include: Lessons that help students use the SRC tool most effectively to generate growth in reading might include: –Teaching students about their reading levels according to CST, Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test, Literacy Benchmark Data, etc. –Teaching students to select reasonable, yet challenging goals and books for themselves –Individual and/or small group conferences to monitor progress and reading improvement –Celebrations for meetings/exceeding goals

Student Outcomes GATE students are excelling in independent reading! GATE students are excelling in independent reading! By April, 2010, range of words read by top GATE readers 3 rd grade 300,000+ to 800,000+ words read 4 th grade 400,000+ to 700, th grade 1,000,000+ to 2,000,000+