Put Reading First

Put Reading First is a series of informational packets composed by the National Institute for Literacy.  It is designed for teachers and parents alike to know the necessary, foundational skills for literacy in the early years. 

The report discusses five main areas of concentration: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and text comprehension. 

via Shutterstock

Phonemic awareness is the ability to notice, think about, and work with the individual sounds in spoken words.  Before children are able to read written words, they must understand the concept of how sounds work.

Reading comprehension is essentially the goal of reading in general. This skill can be learned through comprehension strategies that are taught through instruction, cooperative learning, and the combination of strategies.

Fluency is the ability to read a text accurately and quickly.  This skill is essential to a student’s reading comprehension.  Fluency is developed by model reading in the classroom. This can be practiced by engaging students in repeated oral reading.

Phonics instruction helps children learn the relationships between the letters of written language and the sounds of spoken language.  The instruction of phonics is important because it leads to the understanding of the alphabetic principle; the relationships betw

een written letters and spoken sounds.

There are four types of vocabulary. These include listening vocabulary, speaking vocabulary, reading vocabulary, and writing vocabulary.  Each of these are important to reading comprehension. Children learn the meaning of words through everyday experiences, oral, and written language. 

The information summarized here is from the  PDF file of Put Reading First.

IDEA- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a legislative act that was designed to ensure that all students were provided a free and appropriate education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment. The law was enacted in 1990 and reauthorized in 1997 and 2004.

IDEA encompasses 6 principles.

via greatschools.org

Principle 1: A Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

            FAPE says that all eligible students will be educated at public expense and the education given will be appropriate and geared to the needs of each student.

Principle 2: Appropriate Evaluation

            Qualifying students must be tested if deemed necessary or if requested by the child’s parents. The evaluation methods must not be discriminatory in any way.

Principle 3: Individualized Education Program (IEP)

            An IEP must be designed for each student. A team of educators, administrators, and parents develops an IEP. It provides an educational plan for each student with measurable goals.  It must be reviewed and revised annually.

Principle 4: Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

            The goal of the least restrictive environment is to ensure that students spend as much time in the general education classroom as possible. Accommodations must be made in order for students to participate in P.E., art, music, field trips, and extracurricular activities.

Principle 5: Parent and Student Participation in Decision Making

            IDEA requires schools to include the student’s parents in all aspects of decision-making.

Principle 6: Procedural Safeguards

            The various safeguards are in place in order to protect the rights of all students and parents.
To learn more about IDEA, click here.

AVID

via Pixabay

Advancement Via Individual Determination, or AVID, is a program whose goal is to close the achievement gap and prepare all students for college or other post-secondary endeavors.   AVID is an elective course that encourages its students to enroll in advance placement courses while preparing them to do so.  In this course students are taught skills to assist them in pursing their goals and admirations. 

As a substitute teacher, I have had the privilege of briefly teaching middle school students who are apart of this program.  Unlike many energetic 7^th graders, the students of the AVID program were eager to learn and were interested in my current university standing.  I found it extremely exhilarating to see such young students who were enthusiastic about being college bound.

In order to be apart of an AVID program, students must apply and complete the application process; usually consisting of an interview.

The program spans from the elementary level to the higher education level. AVID Higher Education is to support students who are attending a university or college.  The program on all levels emphasizes student success skills, organizational skills, and community partnerships.

To learn more about the AVID program, click here.

AVID Center in San Diego, California 

Selecting a Major

For students entering college, selecting a major is a crucial aspect of their college preparation.  What type of job can I get? How much money will I make? From an early age, children are asked what they would like to be when they grow up.  Most answers change as the child grows and matures.  Once students enter the latter years of their secondary education, this question begins to have more importance.

During my time as an undergraduate, I have come to the realization that a degree in a particular field does not confine you to one occupation until you reach retirement.  An undergraduate degree is simply a stepping-stone in my development as a working professional.

I am eager to begin my career working with special needs students, as they grow in their academics, life skills, and confidence in their unique abilities.  Teaching is an occupation that will always be needed, wherever you go.  Having a foundation in a skill that I can always return to brings me a great deal of confidence and assurance.

Working in real estate has also sparked my interest! What about starting my own dance company? Is opening a restaurant a profitable endeavor? 

Who knows what the future may hold, but I know that I will have the knowledge and will to make it happen.

Have troubling honing in on your interests, possible majors, and career paths?  Take a career quiz from the Princeton Review!

 Clock Tower at the University of Otago