Reading is a Piece of Cake!

We are excited to introduce our school-wide reading program for the first trimester of the 2009-2010 school-year.  Grades kindergarten through fifth are invited to a reading celebration to help us celebrate Ober ES 10th birthday!  Each night, read for at least 10 minutes.  Then, fill out the piece of cake reading slip (click the link below to download and print out) and return it to your teacher on Friday.  Are you already reading for homework in your classroom?  Great!  That counts for this as well.  Are you reading for more than 10 minutes per night?  Even better!  Just write the amount of time in the box provided.

Every Friday, Mrs. Clinton and Ms. Brown will tally the total number of minutes read by the student body.  Then, when the total number of minutes read is equal to 15, 000, we will add a layer to a “cake” in the main hallway.  When we reach our school-wide goal of 105,000 minutes we will have a celebration!  This party is going to begin on Tuesday, October 6th and end on Friday, November 20th.  Let’s all work together to celebrate the 10th birthday of our school!

Cake Reading Slips

Sight Word Soldiers

Do you know … 25 words make up about one third of all reading material. 100 words make up about one-half of all reading material. 300 words make up 65 percent of all printed text! To encourage literacy throughout all grades we will continue to use the Sight Word Soldier Program. This is a home based reading program that requires parent participation to assist your child in improving their reading fluency. How the program works:

1. Students will receive a list of the most frequently used words in print. The initial list will depend on a student’s grade level.
2. Students and parents will practice (at their own pace) reading the words at home.
3. When students can read the words quickly and accurately, a parent will sign the bottom of the list. 
4. Students will then be assessed on Fridays between 9:00-11:30 in each of the great rooms.
5. Only one set of words can be assessed a week. Students will receive a Literacy Dog Tag if they can read the words quickly and accurately.
6. Allowed Errors:
   Kindergarten List (25 words) – no errors
   Kinder/First grade list (100 words)- 2 errors
   Sets of 200 words used for all grades- 4 errors
   
7. Any hesitation will be considered incorrect.   Students should read it as quickly as if it was their name. 
8. When students pass their current list, they will receive the next list.
9. With each list students pass they will earn another Literacy Dog Tag

We are really excited about this program and know it is going to have a positive impact on all students’ reading.

If you have any questions please contact Ms. Brown at 799-6077 #4029.