As kindergartners step through the doors of Banks County Primary School, they embark on a journey marked by significant milestones, one of the foremost being the mastery of reading. The importance of reading only amplifies as they advance into first grade. Recognizing early literacy's role in a student's academic journey, Banks County Primary School is committed to prioritizing and enhancing early reading skills. To achieve this objective, the school has set a School Improvement Goal to increase the number of students reading on or above grade level.
One of our system's highlight teachers is Mrs. Annie Reece.
Mrs. Reece has been in education for over 16 years. This is her third year as a first-grade teacher at Banks County Primary School.
She is a "beacon of inspiration to others," stated Dr. Mike Boyle, Principal at Banks County Primary School.
"She recognizes that reading is the cornerstone of academic and lifelong success," he added.
Mrs. Reece has wholeheartedly adopted the school's objective of reading achievement. She has created a multifaceted approach to guarantee her students not only acquire reading skills but also cultivate an enduring passion for reading.
She employs two key strategies for teaching reading: differentiated small-group guided reading instruction and interactive read-aloud for whole-group reading. These methods are carefully tailored to meet each student's needs and abilities.
In small-group instruction, students are grouped based on their instructional reading levels.
"Students progress to the next level when they are ready. This personalized approach ensures that no student is left behind and that all have the opportunity to thrive," said Reece.
For whole-group activities, she implements interactive read-aloud. It involves Ms. Reece reading a selected text to the class while encouraging students to engage in discussions with their peers. This boosts comprehension skills and fosters active listening and speaking abilities.
To assess her students' reading progress, Ms. Reece relies on the county's reading assessment system, Fountas and Pinnell, for benchmark assessments. In addition, she conducts running records and keeps anecdotal notes to monitor week-to-week progress. This tracking allows her to pinpoint the specific needs of each student, facilitating a more targeted and effective approach to instruction.
According to Reece, one of the most significant challenges in teaching reading is crafting the perfect reading formula for each student while accommodating her students' diverse needs and levels.
"Every student is unique, and their instructional requirements may differ significantly, even if their reading levels appear similar,” she added.
A typical reading lesson in Ms. Reece's classroom is a dynamic and engaging experience. Guided reading sessions feature small groups working on phonics and leveled texts while other students engage in hands-on phonics games, independent reading, iPad-based learning games, and more. Activities rotate every 15-20 minutes, encouraging peer interaction and honing reading, listening, and speaking skills.
Interactive read-aloud sessions are another highlight. Ms. Reece brings her favorite books to life with expressive reading and turn-and-talk discussions, emphasizing comprehension and fostering a love for reading.
While Ms. Reece's toolkit includes a variety of effective strategies, it is clear that her commitment to personalized instruction and fostering a love for reading are at the heart of her success.
When they leave her classroom at the end of the year, her ultimate goal for her students is not just academic achievement.
“I hope they know that they always have a teacher in their corner who loves them, cares for them, and wants what is best for them. I love building a little family together in the classroom”.
The best part of teaching, according to Ms. Reece, is the sheer joy of creating engaging lessons and sharing the excitement of learning with her students. From using funny voices while reading, dancing for brain breaks, conducting science experiments, and playing educational games, she brings learning to life in her classroom.