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Star Lake Reading Growth

Star Lake Reading Growth

Reading Growth Milestone at Star Lake Elementary

 

Most of Star Lake’s fifth grade students have already exceeded their projected reading growth targets for the year, evidenced by January iReady assessment data. 

For scholars in Cheri Blair’s and Julia Mellander’s classes, reading is both serious business and an enjoyable experience. Students dive into their daily reading time with enthusiasm, whether they are exploring books in small discussion groups, tracking their progress by counting the words they read, participating in a blend of reading comprehension and writing assignments, or engaging with Lexia, an adaptive literacy program. 

Across the district, schools employ a well-organized system, including a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) that features rotating reading groups. Teachers play a pivotal role, utilizing iReady and other technology aids to assess growth and assign lectures according to their level, and regularly convening to refine their methods, ensuring that the journey of reading becomes even more delightful for their students. However, at Star Lake, it seems Ms. Blair and Ms. Mellander have cracked the code for reading growth and success.

“Ms. Mellander makes us read three times a day, and then we would write about the passages. And that’s how I get better at reading and writing,” shared fifth grader Christy.

“Our fifth-grade team here at Star Lake has been successful and has achieved significant growth. Using data is an integral part of our practice. Building relationships with students is also essential, as we prioritize their individual needs,” said Ms. Blair.

Students are categorized into three tiers, each with personalized goals for improvement. They receive continuous feedback and encouragement from both teachers and peers.

“Our goal is for everyone to improve. I tell them, ‘This student has a strong vocabulary, and this one excels in comprehension. So, you can work together and ask each other questions,’” noted Ms. Mellander.

Collaborating in small groups helps students track their own progress, fosters inquiry, and boosts their confidence and motivation for growth.

“These reading groups help me by putting me with a certain group of students at my own skill level or with students that have more skills than me on one subject and can help me out,” explained Mia, a fifth grader in Ms. Mellander’s class.

At Star Lake Elementary, the Core MTSS Team meets with grade-level teams every six weeks to analyze student assessment data and form skill-specific groups. For example, after the third rotation, the second and third grade teams identified the need for more focused instruction and began combining students into small groups based on their specific learning needs. 

Principal Kris Rennie stated, “MTSS provides countless opportunities for scholars to build their skills in a structured and supportive manner.”

This year, fifth graders at Star Lake Elementary have demonstrated remarkable growth according to iReady data: 70% of students achieved their annual growth goals, while 37% reached stretch growth which is the highest tier of growth.

Assigning book level is also essential to keeping students engaged in their reading.

As student Christy explained, “I seem interested in books that I can actually read because they're like around my book level, so, I can understand.”

Star Lake teachers foster an engaging environment that allows students to develop their reading skills at an impressive rate. Students themselves are developing their own sense of responsibility and willingness for improvement.

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