The reading program at Algodones Elementary is multifaceted to ensure student success and promote a culture of readers. Our program is designed to meet the needs of individual learners. Students receive reading instruction at their appropriate level whether it be through differentiated instruction in class or in an alternative core. All students have reading instruction daily for 90 minutes. In addition to explicit reading instruction, classroom teachers have daily read alouds and provide time for students to read silently.

Our reading program is supplemented by two computer programs; kindergarten and first grade students work on Waterford computers daily which simply reinforces important reading concepts through a multimedia modality. Fourth and fifth grade students use KidBiz two to times a week. While students work within the KidBiz program, they read expository text at their reading level, answer multiple choice questions, write a paragraph and vote in a poll. Students also respond to email from their teacher, the principal, a KidBiz representative or the Director of Education.

The teachers use assessment to guide instruction. Based on periodic quick assessments, called progress monitoring, teachers build on student strengths and target areas of growth. The teachers look at a wealth of reading data including SBA, MAPS, DIBELS, EPSF, NMELPA, and DRA2. In addition to periodic meetings to look at data, a school reading coach collaborates with teachers to model, share research, facilitate meetings, and collaborate with teachers to examine reading instruction.

Students who need extra reading support will be pulled from class by Ms. Terry Smith, our school interventionist, to receive individualized reading attention. After school tutoring will begin in October.