A: Your child qualifies for services in reading based on his/her spring score on the  Fountas and Pinnell reading assessment.  The district has established grade level criteria that meets the state standard.  If your child does not meet that standard in the spring, s/he is looked at more closely.  We then look at the Fry sight word list.  Again, there is a district standard.  If your child is below the standard in both the Fountas and Pinnell, and the Fry list, s/he qualifies for supplemental reading services.

Q: How long will my child receive services?

A: Your child will continue to receive services for the year if they continue to be eligible as we reassess each trimester.

Q: Will my child be made fun of?  I don’t want him/he to be singled out.

A: What is wonderful about this age is that  all students want to be in Title 1!   Every time we go into a classroom, children ask “Is it my turn to come and work with you?”  Luckily at this age, all children crave adult attention, and since there are so many other adults (classroom helpers, parent volunteers,) who come in and help in the classroom, Title 1 is seen as “special” in the best possible way.  However, some children may worry that they are “different.”  If this ever becomes the case with your child, please talk to myself or the classroom teacher.  We try to avoid this at all cost, and very rarely is it an issue.  Since students at this age see Title 1 services as “fun” and “a special time with a trusted adult” it makes sense to help them build on their foundation so they may hopefully not need services when they are older and more sensitive to their peers perceptions.

Q: What are they missing when they’re with you?

A: We work with students AFTER their mini-lesson or other direction instruction with their classroom teacher.  The time we are giving them an extra direct lesson or guided practice is the time when they are asked to be independent learners in the classroom.  They may be reading a book to themselves while their teacher works with other students in small groups.  This is the perfect time because many children who are not meeting the standard find this independent learning time challenging.  It also ensures they don’t miss any direct instruction from their classroom teacher.

Q: Where do services take place?

A: We try at all cost to work with a small group in their classroom, but sometimes we need to go into the Title 1 room.  This may be because the group has a harder time focusing in the classroom, or because we need certain materials (if we were to use our Smartboard for example.)  It really depends on the needs of the students and classroom teacher.

Q: How can I help my child at home?

A: This is a great question, and there are several answers depending on your child’s needs.  However, the best answer across the board is to read to your child and do the weekly book bags with your child.  Children MUST practice any new skill, and reading is no different.  Title 1, you, and the child’s classroom teacher are like a tripod…in order to hold the child up and help them be successful, we all need to do our part.

Q: Are there any on-line resources?

A: There are a few links to the left of this blog.  More will be added soon.

Q: Where can I go if I have any questions about my child’s progress?

A: Come see me or email me at mazzal@csdvt.org. You can also call the school at 264-5959 ext. 4188.

Q: What if my child isn’t eligible for Title 1 services? Are there resources for us as well?
A: Yes! We have many wonderful resources to share with ALL parents, even if their child is not receiving Title 1. There are leveled readers, fun books for families to read TOGETHER, and games you can sign out and take home. Come see what we’ve got!