LITERACY
ED DRONDOSKI PHOTOS
Veteran teacher Sandra Howe reads ‘Mrs. Piggle Wiggle’ to her second-grade students at Indian River Academy. Howe calls the new literacy program
‘Fundations’ an essential part of learning to read.
PAGE-TURNER FOR YOUNGSTERS
98
Trends In Education
INNOVATIVE PROGRAM IS
Fun reading system improves test scores
in Indian River schools
BY L. L. ANGELL
The 18 second-graders sit on the rug at Sandra
Howe’s feet. They give her their undivided attention
as she puts the word PREDICT on the big flip
chart at the front of the classroom. All 18 identify the
vowels and sound out the word together.
“This is our word of the day. Predict. We do this a lot, especially
when we read. We did this when we read ‘Mrs. Piggle
Wiggle.’ Anybody have any ideas?” asks Howe.
One little girl raises her hand. “It’s when you read a story
and think about what’s going to happen next,” she says.
Another says, “It’s when you try to figure out what your
homework will be.”
Howe smiles and puts her hand over her heart.
“My heart is very happy,” she tells the class. Then she asks
them to take a breath with her and the whole class takes
several slow, deep breaths. ”Oh I feel so much better now,”
Howe says, continuing the lesson.
A 22-year veteran, Howe teaches at Indian River Academy,
formerly Highlands Elementary. She’s using a new reading
program called Fundations.
“Fundations is such a critical piece for our young learners,”
Howe says. “I can’t imagine teaching reading without the
wealth of skills this program offers. I’m extremely thankful
for the support of The Learning Alliance, too.” >>