Our K-8 academy, with a student population that’s mostly Hispanic, has faced literacy challenges that we’ve been able to overcome through effective literacy platforms. We use HMH Into Reading and HMH Into Literature for our students, along with the SIPPS program for phonological awareness and sight words. Additionally, we’ve implemented Lexia English for our ELL students, which has proven to be effective for both ELL students and those in need of general literacy remediation.
To ensure engagement and success with our literacy platforms, we’ve implemented five strategies:
1. Rewarding students for their hard work through incentives like the “Lexia Spin the Wheel” in Larry’s office.
2. Carving out dedicated time during the school day for literacy platform use.
3. Tracking progress on every level and setting goals for word study, grammar, and comprehension growth.
4. Celebrating success as a team with rewards and incentives for both teachers and students.
5. Focusing on developing soft skills like self-pacing, motivation, and time management through the use of literacy programs.
These strategies have led to impressive results in unit and level progress for our students. We’ve seen significant growth in reading proficiency and reclassification rates for emergent bilingual students. By ensuring that our literacy platforms meet students where they are and focusing on individualized instruction, we’ve been able to make a positive impact on our students’ foundational literacy skills.
Our experience highlights the importance of selecting a literacy platform that aligns with the needs of your students and allows for targeted instruction at all levels. By prioritizing student achievement and providing support for students at every level, schools and districts can see significant improvements in literacy outcomes.
