What Does Literacy First Mean?
Literacy First is based on the concept that without the ability to read well, children will not be able to access the knowledge required to be successful in school OR in life. Meaning that in order for a child to access all subjects, he/she must know how to read, thus creating a love of learning.
At New Summit Charter Academy, we believe that all students can learn to read, and it is the responsibility of the teacher, parents, and interventionists to work together to determine how best to support the child. We believe in Early Intervention vs. the Wait to Fail Model which means a student will receive support as soon as the data shows a gap. Supports for students may include multi-sensory, explicit, sequential, and/or phonics-based instruction which had been proven to be effective in learning how to read.
How is Literacy First Demonstrated at New Summit?
- Heavy Emphasis on Reading to Kids
- At New Summit Charter Academy, the students enjoy being read to by parents, teachers and VIP guest readers.
- Early Detection and Intervention of Reading Struggles
- Reading Skill Groups
- Every grade participates in DEAR time regularly.
- DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time is essential and a vital part of each student’s day at New Summit.
- Strong Systematic Sequential Phonics Approach
- Building A Solid Foundation For Life Long Learners
- Considering the rich Core Knowledge curriculum, students at New Summit can read about a great variety of people who have gone before. From Johann Sebastian Bach, Martin Luther, and Michelangelo to Socrates, Susan B. Anthony and Shakespeare, your older students will read about characters from history with unforeseen enjoyment. These remarkable past individuals will become new friends, and heroes to your New Summit students.
- A Weekly Library Special with Well Stocked Library With Many Choices
- Will include content-rich, curriculum supported instruction, classical literature, and Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales.
- Reading Buddies
- At New Summit, older students will be reading to emergent readers on an ongoing basis. This advances everyone. The younger students hear what fluent reading sounds like, and the older students have the opportunity to practice their reading aloud. But perhaps the greatest benefit is the long-term relationship that students of differing grades develop over time.
- Book Clubs
- When students participate in Book Clubs, they have an opportunity to enjoy a book with others. They can discuss concepts and characters, pick apart plots, and investigate the intricacies of an author’s writing. Reading a book is more fun and engaging with a group of peers!
- Reading Incentives
