Teaching the basics of reading
Published July 17, 2014
Editorial by Winston-Salem Journal, July 16, 2014.
We’re supporters of the pleasures and benefits of reading, through which we gain knowledge, understanding and the ability to express ourselves. Thanks to the legislature’s efforts, there may be a few more avid readers in the future.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools’ summer reading camp is now in full swing, the Journal’s Arika Herron reported recently. The reading camp is an initiative created by the state’s new Read to Achieve law, designed to help struggling third-graders attain the necessary reading proficiency to be promoted to the fourth grade when school starts again in the fall. Disturbingly, about half of our 4,000 third-graders qualified.
A couple of months ago we noted that the law creating the camp was good, but we joined others in suggesting it be tweaked to allow teachers a little more flexibility. The legislature made changes toward that end.
About 1,200 students are now enrolled in the summer camp at 10 elementary schools.
Shayne Willis, an instructional coach and program manager at Petree Elementary School, told the Journal that the goal was not just to teach vocabulary and phonics, but to get students excited about reading. Classes consist of 10 or 12 students, which teachers can break into smaller groups. The teacher can work with one group, the teacher assistant with another, and another group can work independently. This opportunity for individual attention is probably the factor that will give it the best chance to succeed.
Third-grade is a seminal time for learning how to read. It’s a major concern that so many were falling behind – and a major accomplishment that they’re now receiving the attention they need.
July 17, 2014 at 7:49 pm
Norm Kelly says:
The Read to Achieve law is NEW? You mean, since the racist, teacher-hating, education-cutting Republicans that cut taxes and cut spending actually did SOMETHING noteworthy? I can't believe I'm reading about this in a newspaper printed and available in OUR state. Who would EVER think that our legislature could do ANYTHING that was praised by a newspaper?! Those Republican rats aren't worth the room they take up and consistently & constantly show their hatred of education, so it can't be those guys who are getting any credit!
But, I do note one interesting take-away from this post. When newspapers in our state have something TERRIBLE to note about our legislature, they are sure to point out that the Republicans are in charge. Did they mention who's in charge in this praise post? Did you notice that also? No mention of the Republicans still being in power when there was something good to note/mention. Wonder why this is?
Since liberal bias shows it's ugly head so often in 'news' coverage in every type of media, it's hard not to see a conspiracy other times as well, even when it MAY not be true. I don't believe this was an oversight; it appears too obvious to have been simple neglect or they ran out of ink. It just seems obvious to me. Until the libs in the media start reporting more honestly and accurately, I will continue to see their blather as slanted and biased. Proof is in the writing.
