Grasso, Mrs. Sharon (E.L.S. & Aims Web)


 
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ELS Awarded "Exemplary Lab" Status for 2012!

St. Michael School was recently awarded the Exemplary Lab status for the second year in a row on behalf of our Essential Learning Systems (ELS) lab.  The award was only given to three schools in Illinois, distinguishing St. Michael School from other schools statewide.  This award is proof to the students that they can do great things when given the opportunity.

"If the child is not learning the way you are teaching,
then you must teach in the way the child learns."    

                                                                               Rita Dunn

ELS (Essential Learning Systems)


We all have different styles of learning.  St. Michael School is fortunate to have various supports to help these different types of learners.  One of these is the ELS (Essential Learning Systems) program. This computer based program is published by the Creative Institute and helps students with reading and language. The program is successful in helping students improve attention and concentration skills with mastery of skills, positive reinforcement, and motivation. Each lesson helps students to:    

  • Pronounce words correctly
  • Decode vowels and consonants
  • Spell words correctly

  • Define and use a word or term in a sentence

 MY READING COACH

Through a federal grant, St. Michael School recently purchased a web-program called My Reading Coach. The program focuses on the three critical components of reading: phonics, fluency and comprehension. My Reading Coach assesses each student through a placement test that identifies a student's low area, and places the student in only the lessons that are needed. The program also includes worksheets, oral reading, grammar, writing, and tests as different reading levels are mastered. We are currently using the program with grades 3 and 4. Students work independently to build reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence. 

FLRT (Fluent Reading Trainer)

A new reading program St. Michael has purchased this year is the Fluent Reading Trainer or FLRT. The program is designed to improve reading comprehension and fluency by improving eye tracking, visual recognition of sight and frequency words, visual tracking of words in written context and comprehension of the passages read through short tests. With consistent use, FLRT trains the reader's eyes to move from left to right efficiently and to sweep on one movement. Once the student has mastered basic reading skills, the program increases reading speed while ensuring competent comprehension. We are currently using this program for students in grades 3 through 8 for all types of readers. FLRT makes school become easier for all  types of readers because reading becomes easier! 


"The greatest gift is a passion for reading."

                                                                            Elizabeth Hardwick

APANGEA MATH

We have recieved a 3-year federal grant to implement the Apangea Math program. It is a web-based program that allows students to work independently on math concepts focused on problem-solving and advance through concepts at their own pace. An on-line math coach is available to assist each student as they work on their weekly session in the Mini Lab. Mrs. Siberz and I manage and coordinate the program, and are available to assist students. Sometimes we will take a small group and teach a concept in more depth to expand what the program has taught. We have 27 (4th thru 7th grade) students enrolled in the program this year as an Enrichment. A small group of students also use Apangea as an extra math class to help remediate difficulties with concepts.

 AIMSweb

 

 I am in charge of the AIMSweb testing for the whole school. AIMSweb stands for Academic Improvement Measurement System based on the web. This system is a benchmark and progress monitoring system based on direct, frequent and continuous student assessment. The test is administered three times a year to each student individually in Kindergarten though 8th grade. AIMSweb provides teachers, parents and administrators reports on student progress.The testing team, along with the Reading teachers, administer the test so we measure adequate growth in reading skills. AIMSweb provides St. Micahel School with a comprehensive program and the ability to test all grade levels.

 

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself, any direction you choose." 

                                            Dr. Seuss, Oh the Places You'll Go!