Reading Resources

Learning starts with reading

It is our goal, at Artman, to develop a fluent reader who can think critically, engage, interact, and question a text that is considered “at grade level”.   We view all students as readers, and we develop reading skills while meeting the needs of all learners within the school.  This is done by designing our instruction around each student’s strengths and areas of improvement.  We create this differentiated learning environment through our guided reading groups, shared reading, literature circles, centers, and literature stations.   Through our core values and focus areas we strive to make all children successful as readers

Artman’s Core Values:

  1. Literacy is essential
  2. All students should see themselves as readers and writers
  3. Data is essential for continued improvement
  4.  All decisions are student focused 
  5. Collaboration within staff and families is essential
  6. Instruction is always anchored in researched

At Artman, we focus on:

  1. Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, and Word Study
  2. Fluency
  3. Vocabulary
  4. Comprehension
  5. Independent Reading , Ownership, and Passion for Literacy

Reading Global Assessments:

We start each year screening every student in the areas of reading. One assessment tool we use is called Dynamic Indicators of Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS).  The areas of phonemic awareness (the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words), phonics (letter-sound relationships), decoding (sounding out words), and fluency (accurately reading grade level text) are skills we assess three times a year—fall, winter, and spring. We also use a comprehensive tool called the STAR READING ASSESSMENT (Grades 2-3) and the LLI Benchmark Assessment (Grade 1) to determine the independent reading level of every student thus planning individualized or small group instruction for reading growth.  In addition, Title I assessments are used to test grade level Fry words, concepts of print, and letter/sound recognition.  We compile and use this data to make instructional decisions for our school, classrooms, and individual students.  Children in need of added support are identified and the implementation of scientifically researched-based skill interventions takes place in addition to core instruction in the classrooms. 

Reading Curriculum K-3:

Artman has matched and aligned our curriculum to meet the rigor and depth of the PA Common Core Standards.  A main resource used for our curriculum and instruction is Reading Street.  This series is a comprehensive language arts program that embeds the five principles of reading which include phonemic awareness, phonics, alphabetic principle, vocabulary, and comprehension that focuses on a high depth of knowledge in every text.  An important feature of the program is the opportunity for students and parents to access weekly stories, vocabulary lessons, and extra reading practice from their home computer. Students are assessed weekly on the targeted skills, informing both teachers and families of their individual progress and providing data to drive further reading instruction within the classroom.  In addition to Reading Street, we create a classroom that is “rich with print.” Students will be engaged with many resources and print that spans an unlimited realm of genres, authors, and subject matter.

Reading is Fundamental

Artman has a bi-annual book distribution through our Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) program.  Several non-profit organizations and community businesses generously donate monies every year to provide every child with the opportunity to choose a brand-new, high-interest book, from hundreds of books, to add to their home library. 

Workshops

In addition to our RIF program, Artman hosts multiple literacy workshops for families to discuss, in a collaborative environment, relevant reading activities and strategies, current research, and Artman’s instructional philosophies.  These workshops always end with a question/answer session to discuss any questions you may have with either staff or other parents.  Communications will be sent home throughout the year describing the workshops along with times they will be conducted.

Please contact Artman’s Literacy Specialist if you have any questions or would like additional information

Vincent D’Angelo

Email: Vincent_dangelo@hermitage.k12.pa.us

Phone: 724.981.8750 x 5025