Appleton Reading Program Makes A Difference
By
Lori Blakeslee When Carol Anderson talks about “her kids,” tears well up in
her eyes. Carol is a volunteer for Horizons Elementary School’s United
for Reading Success program. The program began in 1996 at Horizons and
its purpose is to provide one-on-one reading assistance for first graders.
United for Reading Success was designed by retired Appleton school teachers
Mary Furlong and Beth Tobler. The program design includes four distinct
parts:
- Shared reading, where volunteers read stories to their students.
- Letter and word recognition.
- Sight vocabulary, where students work on words they are learning
in the classroom. Volunteers use games such as “Go Fish” to
make the activity fun.
- Students read two stories chosen by the classroom teacher. This activity
helps students with vocabulary, comprehension and fluency.
The classroom teacher and the reading specialist identify students for
the program. However, parents must give permission for their child to
participate. According to first grade teacher, Jean Scherer, student progress
is significant because the lesson plans correspond with the curriculum.
Volunteers for the United Reading for Success program participate in
a half day of training to become familiar with the lesson plans. The volunteers
also have a substitute list, so if someone is ill, students will still
receive services each day.
“The program is so well designed, that anyone can be a volunteer,”
said Carol Anderson. “I enjoy the kids and they give me something
back. Too many kids don’t have an adult at home who can give them
that one-on-one attention.”
Individuals interested in volunteering for the United Reading for Success
program, which is available in several of the elementary schools, can
call Noreen Boselie at 920-832-6124 for more information.
Posted December 2, 2002