What do our Literary Specialists do?
Heidi Stonehocker,
Lexington
"I love to see the light bulbs go on", announces Heidi Stonehocker, Literacy Specialist at Lexington Elementary school. Heidi, along with her colleagues Bridget Solve (Daves Avenue), Becki Kriege (Blossom Hill), and Lisa Evans (Van Meter) ensure literacy development needs are met for all our children.
Literacy skills - reading, writing, listening, and speaking - are fundamental for learning. Without these skills, students will struggle in most any subject. For example, success in math requires students to be able to listen to the teacher, read instructions, ask clear questions, and write clear answers. Literacy Specialists are experts in methods for developing language arts skills in students.
By spending time with children who need extra support they free classroom teachers to spend more time with other children. So our Literacy Specialists truly benefit all children at our Elementary schools.
Literacy skills - reading, writing, listening, and speaking - are fundamental for learning. Without these skills, students will struggle in most any subject. For example, success in math requires students to be able to listen to the teacher, read instructions, ask clear questions, and write clear answers. Literacy Specialists are experts in methods for developing language arts skills in students.
By spending time with children who need extra support they free classroom teachers to spend more time with other children. So our Literacy Specialists truly benefit all children at our Elementary schools.
Los Gatos is fortunate to have Literacy Specialists at all of our elementary schools; many districts do not. Literacy Specialists are made possible by parent donations (this year supplemental funding is provided by both LGEF and our Home & School Clubs; starting next year all supplemental funding will come through LGEF).
Elementary Literacy Specialists are essential because early intervention is critical to future success. Even at a young age children know when they struggle with language. By providing support early on children begin building their skills - and their confidence. So rather than feeling behind, they feel challenged and successful. The specialized expertise and training of our specialists mean students progress at the fastest rate possible.
Elementary Literacy Specialists are essential because early intervention is critical to future success. Even at a young age children know when they struggle with language. By providing support early on children begin building their skills - and their confidence. So rather than feeling behind, they feel challenged and successful. The specialized expertise and training of our specialists mean students progress at the fastest rate possible.
Bridget Solve,
Daves Avenue
Advancements by children can be dramatic. Bridget Solve shares one story, "I worked with a first-grade girl who was struggling to pick up the beginning literacy skills of knowing letter names and sounds, rhyming, and hearing individual sounds in words. These are skills that most children are able to learn in kindergarten. She worked with me a few days a week in grades 1-3, using our school's SIPPS literacy system, and she made tremendous improvement. In grade 4 she started coming up to me in the halls and telling me all the books she was reading! Today she is in middle school, and doing great."
Of course, children start at different places and develop at different rates. Some children have strong language skills but come from bi-lingual (or even tri-lingual) backgrounds. One 1st grade boy could read Japanese and Chinese fluently but was well behind in English. However, after only four months of help from a Literacy Specialist he was reading English at grade level.
Literacy Specialists work closely with classroom teachers to assess students, trade notes, monitor progress, and plan for appropriate literacy instruction. The standard classroom curriculum is right for many students, but those who are not at the proper level can be given extra small group or 1 on 1 assistance to help them reach grade level.
Of course, children start at different places and develop at different rates. Some children have strong language skills but come from bi-lingual (or even tri-lingual) backgrounds. One 1st grade boy could read Japanese and Chinese fluently but was well behind in English. However, after only four months of help from a Literacy Specialist he was reading English at grade level.
Literacy Specialists work closely with classroom teachers to assess students, trade notes, monitor progress, and plan for appropriate literacy instruction. The standard classroom curriculum is right for many students, but those who are not at the proper level can be given extra small group or 1 on 1 assistance to help them reach grade level.
Becki Kriege,
Blossom Hill
"What I love about this job is that I can individualize it", says Becki Kriege. "I know all my student's specific skills and can teach to their level.
"I also love it when my former students give back. I worked with one girl through 2nd grade and by that point, she was meeting benchmarks. I didn't hear anything from her in 3rd grade. Then in 4th grade, she began helping me tutor 1st-grade students (giving up her recess one day a week). She is using some of the techniques I used on her with them. It's great to see it come full circle."
"I also love it when my former students give back. I worked with one girl through 2nd grade and by that point, she was meeting benchmarks. I didn't hear anything from her in 3rd grade. Then in 4th grade, she began helping me tutor 1st-grade students (giving up her recess one day a week). She is using some of the techniques I used on her with them. It's great to see it come full circle."
Lisa Evans, Van Meter
One reason for the success of the literacy program is that specialists can work with children over multiple years as needed. It's a long-term investment that prepares children to be successful in middle school and beyond.
Lisa Evans adds, "I'm lucky to be able to give children the gift of specific instruction in a small group setting. You lay the foundation, help them understand, and then they feel successful. It is amazing how they can progress when they have the foundation they need!"
Lisa Evans adds, "I'm lucky to be able to give children the gift of specific instruction in a small group setting. You lay the foundation, help them understand, and then they feel successful. It is amazing how they can progress when they have the foundation they need!"