Bellair Reading Program Creating individual success for the new millennium:

We are fortunate to be able to offer the following programs to students at Bellair:

For first graders- Mrs. Cacioppo is trained in Reading Recovery. The program is a short-term early intervention designed to increase the students reading and writing success. Students are selected for this program after reading with their classroom teacher and taking the DIBELs asssesment. Mrs. Cacioppo works to accelerate student's progress in reading and writing. Students meet with their reading teacher in groups of 3 for approximately one half hour each day and typically remain in the program for one semester.

For second and third graders-Learning Strategy Groups Learning Strategy Groups consist of five students who meet with the reading teacher either in class or in the reading room for a half hour 3-5 days a week to practice using reading strategies. These students are selected by the classroom teachers and reading teachers based on the results of a screening test. The classroom teacher and reading teacher meet each week to plan the reading and writing lessons. Students in the strategy groups are doing the same work and using the same books for the most part, as students in their classroom. The goal here again is accelerated progress in reading and writing. Students time in the program varies depending on their success.

For fourth through sixth graders- Students who score in falls far below or approaches category are selected to work with the AIMS tutor. The tutoring takes place 2-3 times a week during the school day. The tutor and the students work on areas that show a need for improvement. The AIMS tutor plans with the classroom teachers and the reading teacher.

S.W.A.T. Team-Students With an Aptitude for Tutoring

Fourth through sixth grade students who are good citizens and get their classroom work done each day, can become a member of the S.W.A.T. team. They are trained by the reading teachers in Paired Reading and then assigned to a primary student. The tutor and student meet three or four time a week during the last fifteen minutes of the day to read together. Not only does the student's reading improve but many friendships are formed and self-concepts improved.

We feel fortunate to be able to offer our students these programs as we have seen improved fluency, vocabulary and comprehension skills as well as improved self- esteem.

pcacioppo@be.dvusd.org Date Last Modified:8/ 07

*Frog clip art from: http://www.citlink.net/~hammer63/dustin/frogs.html