Immanuel Lutheran School » Feed My Lambs
The Group Reading Assessment and Diagnostic Evaluation (GRADE) has been given to students in our Kindergarten and First and Second Grade classrooms for the last two years. The GRADE test measures the most important aspects of reading skills as determined by the National Reading Panel. These reading skills are: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, and text comprehension.
The GRADE test does not directly measure the skill of reading aloud, but it does measure listening comprehension, which is a critical building block for learning to read. Children who struggle with understanding spoken language will have more difficulty with written language (reading).
The GRADE test is comprehensive, well-researched, and is used across the nation as a benchmark of reading development in students.
A few notable results from our Kindergarten room:
All of the Kindergarten students, as of April 5, are reading well-into a first grade level. They have the reading skills to be successful as they enter first grade. Overall, their reading scores are above average.
Looking at the results in each particular reading skill, a couple of strengths in both the students and the curriculum are evident. The students can translate sounds they hear to letters in print. This is a skill that must be taught, and they showed near-perfect performance in this area. This is part of the National Reading Panel’s push for phonemic awareness skills.
The students recognize the letters and can perceive the difference in the spelling of words on a page. Again, this is a skill that must be taught explicitly, and every kindergarten student has this skill. This is part of the phonics in the Immanuel curriculum and the National Reading Panel list of reading skills.
Vocabulary is another critical skill of reading. Children learn most of their vocabulary words indirectly, but some words must also be taught directly. In addition, children must be taught word-learning strategies. All of the kindergarten students performed average or better on individual word reading.
What can I do to help my child continue to excel and grow in their reading ability?
Keep in mind that reading is an acquired skill that must be taught; it does not happen “on its own” or “by accident.”
Spoken language skills are the basis for good reading skills. Children learn language by listening and talking to others, especially adults. Have conversations with your children daily about different kinds of things: what they like/dislike, what they dream about, school, play, friends, and the like. Use complete and complex sentences as you would with other adults and then explain as necessary.
Read books to your children that are both at and above their reading level. As they follow along with their finger, they will begin to recognize new words and many other things about reading. When you’re reading a book at their level, take turns reading with them.
Encourage “reading time” in the evening instead of “TV time.” Take children to the library and grab a stack of books (fiction and nonfiction) that they find interesting…it’s free! Schedule after dinner “quiet time” for reading and homework (if they have any).
Stay tuned for an update on results from grades 1-2 in a future issue of Feed My Lambs! Questions? Ask your child’s teacher!
Good reading websites:
www.nationalreadingpanel.org
www.reading.org
gpn.unl.edu/rainbow/
“You parents cannot prepare a more dependable treasure for your children than an education in the liberal arts. House and home burn down and disappear, but an education is easy to carry off.”
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