Welcome Parents!

1. Welcome Parents! Reading Support Program Response to Intervention (RTI) Reading Boyce Middle School September 16, 2014

2. Agenda • Welcome • Introductions • What is RTI? • Program Overview • PA Common Core • Reading Skills and Curriculum • Novel Group Instruction • Title 1 Parent Involvement Policy • Title 1 Compact • Questions and Comments

3. What is Response to Intervention (RTI) ? • RTI is the name for the reading and math support program at Boyce Middle School. • Resource Teacher and classroom teachers work together to improve students’ reading skills and confidence.

4. Students in the RTI Program • PSSA Assessment Data • Informal Reading Inventory (new students) • Easy CBM assessment- Fall, Winter, Spring • Teacher recommendations based on student academic performance- Guided Reading Levels from Elementary School • Parent input and information • Novel Groups are Flexible throughout the year based on student progress.

5. Program Overview • Reading Specialist works with small groups by facilitating novel instruction. • Novel instruction will take place every other day in the rotation and will be 45 minutes. • This instruction is centered around reading skills, fluency, comprehension and higher-level thinking and questioning. • Instruction will also focus on quarterly reading skills. • Reading Specialist works with classroom teacher to team teach Social Studies and provide support for struggling readers.

6. Novel Group Instruction • Selected novel is at your child’s instructional level. • Small group novel instruction will occur 3 days out of the 6 day rotation. • Students read and discuss the novel as well as apply the reading skills to the novel. • Students will be assigned reading for homework. • Several comprehension quizzes will be given throughout the nine week period. • Students will receive points for participation, preparation and materials.

7. Reading Skills • All Boyce Students will be introduced to reading skills each nine week grading period. • Students will be expected to apply these skills when reading both inside and outside of the classroom. • These skills are assessed both formally and informally- Quizzes, Post-Tests and Observation

8. 5th Grade Reading Skills • Story Elements (setting, characters, conflict, climax, resolution, mood and theme). • Main Idea and Supporting Details • Making Predictions and Making Inferences • Sequencing story events • Character Traits • Questioning • Literal- answers found right in the text. • Inferential- the student must use the text to infer or draw conclusions when reading. • Critical- Understanding and evaluating the point an author is trying to make. This is often in the form of an essay question.

9. 6th Grade Reading Skills • Distinguishing between fiction and nonfiction • Point of View- first person and third person • Story Elements (setting, characters, conflict, climax, resolution). • Main Idea and Supporting Details • Making Predictions and Making Inferences • Sequencing story events as well as understanding the role of time clues and transitions • Cause and Effect • Questioning • Literal- answers found right in the text. • Inferential- the student must use the text to infer or draw conclusions when reading. • Critical- Understanding and evaluating the point an author is trying to make. This is often in the form of an essay question.

10. Communication • Progress reports which reflect the big ideas in reading are sent home two times a year during the 2nd and 4th grading periods. • Reading Specialist will also provide resource materials to parents. • Reading Specialist will be responsible for communicating grades from the small group instruction which are a part of the reading grade. • Reading Specialist will monitor the students’ classroom performance closely. • Open Communication with Reading Specialist through email, phone and parent meetings.

11. ELAPA Common Core • An Introduction to the Common Core • http://www.corestandards.org/what-parents-should-know/ • http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/reading,_writing,_listening___speaking/7539/p/1468776 • What does this mean for USC? • ELA- English and Language Arts • Change in the PSSAs- 1 test • 5th and 6th Grade Writing Instruction and Assessments

12. What can I do? • Provide us with any insight that will help us meet your child’s needs • Encourage reading at home each night • Make reading a positive experience • Use the helpful tip sheets in your folder

13. Documents Our program is funded by the Title 1 Federal Program. This is part of the Department of Education’s Plan for providing reading and math services to all students who qualify. • School Parent Compact

14. Documents Parent Involvement Policy • Title 1 Parent meetings- Fall and Spring • Data on student progress • Parent Conferences • Supplemental activities to support your child • Communication with Title 1 Staff • Understanding student performance data

15. Parent Input Questions What input do you have to offer the District’s Title 1 Parent Involvement Policy? • Development of the School’s Title 1 Plan • The ability to contribute to school improvement efforts • Support from the district in assisting the school in planning and implementing effective parent involvement activities. • Support from the district in providing annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of parent involvement policies • Revisions to Title 1 parent involvement policies

16. Thank you! Questions and comments are welcome!