Up to speed

Mary A. Castillo

“Eyes on me -- 1, 2, 3,” Temple Salas called out to her class of 23

after-school readers.

The chatter among the group of first-, second- and third-graders

dwindled away as she explained that they would read, “This is the Way We

Go To School,” a book about how children around the world get to school.

Fridays are a special day for these students because they not only get

to do arts and crafts, but also bring popcorn, sodas and ice cream to

class.

This group of students at College View Elementary is part of a 10-week

reading intervention program that started last September. Using funds

from the Academic Performance Index, more than 1,000 books and listening

tapes were purchased to help students of all reading levels.

Every week Salas and her individual group of instructors assess each

student and share their progress with the students’ teachers. At the end

of the hourlong session, the students also take home a weekly report with

recommended activities they can do at home.

“We see a significant growth in these kids,” said Principal Susie

Kemp, as the students began reading out loud with Salas. “And they’re

happy to be here. They feel it’s a privilege.”

When the group finishes a book, they break off into individual work

groups of six where they work with one instructor.

“Some of the first-grade students come in at a kindergarten reading

level,” Salas said. “Based on our assessments, they leave at their grade

reading level.”

A few minutes before the bell rings and it’s time to go home,

third-grader Kiana Demers looked up from her drawing.

“My favorite books are rhyming books,” she announced.

“I like poem books,” fellow group member, Dulce Martinez shyly added.

When asked if she likes to write poetry, Dulce smiles shyly then puts

the final touches back on her drawing before running out with the rest of

her classmates.

* MARY A. CASTILLO is a news assistant with Times Community News. She

can be reached at (714) 965-7177 or by e-mail at o7

[email protected]

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