Meet Our Literacy Coach Reading First! Ms. Clardy is in her third year as the Literacy Coach at Farnsworth Aerospace.  She was a first grade teacher before accepting the Literacy Coach position.   Ms. Clardy can be reached by calling 651.293.8675 ext. 112.   What is the purpose of the Reading First program? The purpose is to ensure that all students learn to read well by the end of third grade.  The framework of the program is based on Scientifically Based Reading Research. Reading First is an initiative funded by the Federal Government as part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.  Through this initiative, Farnsworth has received support and professional development to help schools achieve the goal of all children being readers by the end of third grade.  We expect to meet the needs of each reader and to prevent children from reading difficulties. What is this program all about? US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAM DESCRIPTION http://www.ed.gov/programs/readingfirst/index.html PUT READING FIRST.  The Research Building Blocks for Teaching Children to Read. Kindergarten Through Grade 3. http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/reading_first1.html Can you explain the 5 essential areas to be learned by a fluent reader? http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/PFRbooklet.pdf What can I do as a parent to help? - Parent Guide A Parent Guide Preschool Through Grade 3.  Success in school starts with reading. ... http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/reading_first2.html Has there been program success? Reading First: Student Achievement, Teacher Empowerment, And National Success http://www.ed.gov/nclb/methods/reading/readingfirst.pdf How has this program affected our teachers? Multi levels of personal and professional growth. >Study Groups 1-hour weekly professional development studying Scientifically Based Reading Research and effective classroom applications >Reading Institutes-intensive instructional techniques training Three day summer Institute One Saturday Fall Institute One winter institutes >Intervention training Grades K, 1, and 2 have received intensive ongoing support and training >Classroom libraries All classrooms have established classroom libraries.  The libraries have variety of genres. >Expert consultant visits Five consultant visits per year are provided to staff to support, train, or for the purpose of planning >Coaching through a University of Minnesota External Facilitator and School Literacy coach >120 minutes reading daily >Data Evaluation Assist teachers in how to differentiate instruction based on student needs >Leadership Team Peers guide direction for professional Development