Many children still find learning to read a challenge. Luckily, new research provides help for those struggling with developing their literacy skills.

What is the Reading First Program?
Reading First is a federal initiative authorized by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The U.S. Department of Education provides Reading First grants to states, which in turn, award these grants to eligible school districts. These chosen districts had to submit proposals for how they would apply this scientific research in improving reading instruction and achievement in their school. 

The National Reading Panel (NRP) issued a report in 2000 to help parents, teachers and policymakers identify key skills and methods vital to reading achievement. The report summarized several decades of scientific research that clearly shows effective reading instruction, addressing five critical areas:

• Phonemic awareness
• Phonics
• Fluency
• Vocabulary
• Comprehension

These five areas were incorporated in the NCLB and Reading First initiatives as essential components of effective reading instruction.

Fonda-Fultonville was one of the chosen district’s to incorporate the Reading First Program into the elementary school. Elementary Principal Alicia Henry says that Fonda-Fultonville’s plan is “consistent, systematic and explicit.” 

How is our elementary school incorporating the Reading First program into the school day?
At Fonda-Fultonville, all students in grades K-3 have two hours of uninterrupted reading time every day, from 8:30 to 10:30 in the morning. The goal is for all students to be reading at or above grade level.

All K-3 teachers took part in an 80-hour “Reading Academy” on-line course where they received extensive training on the five critical components of reading. Teachers can track their student’s progress as well as print out reports. At conference time, teachers will be able to talk with and show parents how their child is doing.

The school has also started a program called, “Revvup for Reading.” The program was started by the Character Education committee to help support and get students excited about reading. The goal at the end of the school year is to have a combined total of two million reading minutes from students! 

Henry says, “If we believe we can, we can!” The school is very positive and enthusiastic with reaching their goal. They are Revved up to Read!

What can parents do to help?
One of the most important steps you can take as a parent to help your child learn to read is simply to read with them on a daily basis. Every elementary school parent was sent a parent’s guide titled, Put Reading First: Helping Your Child Learn to Read. Familiarize yourself with this guide and use it as a reference when reading with your child.

Some activities for parents to do at home are…

• Practice the sounds of language. Read books with rhymes. Teach your child rhymes, short poems and songs. Play simple word games.
  

• Practice the alphabet by pointing out letters when you see them. Read alphabet books.
  

• Listen to your child read words and books from school. Be patient and listen as your child practices. Let your child know you are proud of his or her reading.
  

• Reread familiar books. Children need practice in reading comfortably and with expression by using books they know.
  

• Build reading accuracy. As your child is reading aloud, point out words they missed and help them to read the words correctly. If you stop to focus on a word, have your child reread the entire sentence to be sure they understand the meaning.
  

• Build reading comprehension. Talk with your child about what he or she is reading. Ask about new words. Talk about what happened in the story. Ask about the characters, places and events that took place. Ask what new information he or she has learned.

Link to U.S. Department of Education site

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