Clay Central/Everly Community Schools

Maverick Country

Dear Parents,

We are writing to inform you of how the Clay Central/Everly Community Schools elementary reading and math programs are set up.  Each classroom teacher still teaches whole class reading and math.  Through team training we have developed small group reading and math instruction.  This small group instruction has greatly benefited our students with their reading and math skills.
           
We have an assessment team that gives the reading assessments to all students in grades K-4.  The assessments are given at the beginning of each school year and at the end of each quarter.  The results from these tests are used to place the children in groups that are at their reading level.  The small group instructor then moves each child forward toward our reading proficiency goals.  The classroom teachers in K-3 give the math assessment and form the math groups.

The small group instructors include our classroom teachers, resource teacher and Title 1 teacher.  The small group instructors meet weekly to discuss the curriculum, student needs, and teaching strategies.  If a child is having difficulties any one of the teachers may call a problem solving meeting.  The purpose of the problem solving meeting is to develop a plan that provides maximum success for the student.  A problem solving meeting may include classroom teachers, principal, Title 1 teacher, resource teacher, parent, and an AEA psychologist.

Information about your child’s reading and math progress will be shared at parent-teacher conferences.  If you have questions please feel free to contact your classroom teacher, 933-2241.

Sincerely,
Clay Central/Everly
Elementary Reading Team

Clay Central/Everly Title 1 Program

The Clay Central/Everly Title 1 Reading & Math project is a federally funded program designed to help children in grades K-4th  improve their reading and math skills.  The Title 1 classes provide small group instruction which reinforces the classroom reading and math curriculum. 

• Students in grades Kindergarten through fourth grade are assessed quarterly in reading and math.  Students who fall below our district proficiency levels qualify for help.  Students may also qualify by teacher recommendation.
• Parents are notified if their child would benefit from Title 1 services.  When a student is identified as a child in need a problem solving meeting is held.  Title 1 teachers work closely with the CC/E staff and they participate in problem-solving meetings.  The problem solving team may consist of classroom teachers, administrators, AEA personnel, resource teacher, Title 1 teacher and parents.
• Parents receive a Title 1 brochure and student compact that needs to be signed and returned.  The compact is a voluntary agreement between parent/child/teacher concerning the child’s education.
• Title 1 students are served during pull-out time for reading and math support.  The instruction time can vary from 15 to 60 minutes depending on the needs of each child.  The Title 1 teacher develops a plan for those students to work towards reaching proficient levels in reading or math.
• Parents will be invited to conference with the Title 1 teacher twice a year.  Additional meetings may be set up to discuss student progress at any time during the year.  Suggestions for extra help at home are also provided.
• Parents are always welcome to contact the classroom teacher or Title 1 teacher with student concerns.  The parent has the right to accept or decline Title 1 services.
• Parents may be asked to sit on the District Improvement Council to help the district plan, review and improve district Parent Involvement Policy.
• Clay Central/Everly parents are encouraged to participate in our reading incentives and RIF distributions. 
• The Title 1 Teacher has a K-6 Elementary Classroom endorsement and a K-6 Reading endorsement for the State of Iowa.

Mrs. Jobst
Title 1 Teachers
Clay Central/Everly District

Reading With Your Child

1. *Read Everyday!* Reading is a skill and gets better with practice. Research shows that kids who spend as little as 30 minutes a day reading books, magazines and newspapers are more likely to become good readers. Build a library of books at home and put them in a place where the child can reach them.

2. *Enjoy the book!* When your child is reading to you and comes to a word they don't know give them 3-5 seconds to figure out the word on their own. If they can't figure out the word, read the word for them. It takes several times reading a word for it to become a word that they remember. If a child wants to reread a book, that's great! Rereading builds fluency. Praise them for their efforts!

3. *Read Aloud to your Child!* Begin reading aloud to your child at a young age. Set aside time every day for reading aloud, start with 10 minutes a day. The art of listening is learned and must be taught gradually. Vary the length and subject matter of your reading. Turn off your TV or radio.

4. *Teacher Tips for Read Alouds!* Ask your child to retell a paragraph or story. Stop before the end of the story and ask your child to predict what she thinks may happen next. If you are reading a poem, encourage your child to guess what the next rhyming word may be. Ask your child if the story relates to a personal experience or how she/he might have changed the story. You can build their vocabulary by talking about what words mean.

5. *Public Library Habit!* Set aside some time every week to visit your local library.