Primary Grades Reading Program

The primary grades reading program at Pocantico is designed to give support to students who are engaged in the developmental stages of learning to read. This instruction is offered in three different modalities.

Reading Recovery

Reading Recovery is an early intervention program that assists those first grade students who appear the most at risk in learning to read before they experience failure. Child psychologist/educator, Dr. Marie Clay, developed the Reading Recovery program. It is based on her research of the techniques competent readers use naturally when performing reading work compared to the lack of those used by low-progress readers. These techniques provide the framework for this intense program.

The program includes daily individualized reading and writing lessons based on the child's own learning behaviors and needs. Students are expected to progress at an accelerated rate, thereby catching up to the average of their class peers in developing skills and strategies that lead to independent reading.

Small Group Pull-Out Lessons

Students who are not reading at the level of the average readers in their class may participate in small group lessons presented out of the classroom. Lessons are provided using a balanced approach, one that combines aspects of phonics based and whole language instruction. Lessons are designed for the specific needs of the students. Groups are limited to six participants and meet up to 3 times weekly.

Classroom Push-In Instruction

In a "push-in" setting, the reading teacher joins the classroom teacher in planning and providing instruction/support during reading and writing lessons in the classroom. This enables students to participate successfully in classroom reading and writing activities. In some instances students receive both push-in and pull-out instruction.

deaker@pocanticohills.org

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This page was last edited November 11, 2005.