Sts. Peter & Paul School is fortunate to have a specialized reading intervention program that is organized and taught by Mrs. Valerie Adley. This reading intervention program consists of a variety of supplemental reading materials and activities geared toward reading fluency, vocabulary and phonics practice for selected students.
Reading intervention at SPPS is designed to support the classroom teachers in meeting the needs of children who may require an extra boost in mastering the art of reading. The program begins with the testing of all first grade students. These children begin receiving assistance in all areas of learning to become a better reader. They are given the opportunity to work in a small group with a calm setting using materials and techniques geared to helping them achieve success.
Mrs. Adley engages in activities that complement what occurs in the classroom at the specific child’s grade level. She stays one week ahead of the child’s class curriculum. When these materials are then read in their class the children in her program are already familiar with the material. This develops confidence and practice work for children that may otherwise struggle with their reading.
The following are some of the programs utilized:
LiPS- The Lindamood Bell Program: phonics and phonemic awareness are the main focus of this multi-sensory approach to helping students see, hear, and feel the 44 sound units that make up our English language.
Seeing Stars is a part of the program which uses felt blocks to abstractly learn how to manipulate sounds.
Maria Carbo Reading Styles Program uses tapes to process how to read fluently.
Quick Reads is a program which gives one model reading and the students practice until able to read the passage in a timed setting.
Harcourt-Brace Materials are a school-wide series that accompanies the direct instruction in the classroom by providing the child in the program with a shorter version of the classroom materials in advance of the regular class instruction.
Battle of the Books List 2008-2009
While all of these techniques are implemented at the earliest grade level, the program is grade specific and can follow a child through middle school if necessary.
The Great Leaps Reading Program is an additional reading program started by Mrs. Adley that relies on parent volunteers. In this program, parents and teachers are trained to assess student performance on a daily basis. Students are asked to perform assigned reading tasks, when a child performs the task in the given time accurately, they leap. This is rewarding for the child in self esteem as well as coming out of the program with improved reading skills.
Mrs. Adley is sure to point out that the success of these programs depends not only on her and her vast array of specialized activities, but the work of parents and children at home.
Valerie Adley has been teaching for 37 years; 27 of which have been spent at SPPS. Mrs. Adley has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and English Literature her Master’s degrees work has been in teaching reading and library science.
