LOWER SCHOOL
Reading Between the Lions
Building a love of reading and sense of community across campus
When lower school and upper school teachers came together to forge a partnership promoting literacy and connections across campus , both schools were eager to collaborate after a year of minimal school-to-school contact due to safety protocols . However , when spring rolled around and lower school students began to focus independent reading time towards showcasing skills , the opportunity to partner with upper school students became a reality .
Assistant Head of Lower School - Academics Amy Webster and Upper School Instructor of English Jennifer Christensen teamed up to create the Upper School + Lower School Book Club , a scheduled time for independent reading partnerships between senior English students and K-5th grade students . Depending on the age group of their lower school partners , seniors would either read aloud to LS students or help LS students read aloud to them . Sitting “ criss cross applesauce ” on the floor in classrooms , reading corners , or even outside on the Quad , clusters of students in the book club would meet , read , visit , laugh , and enjoy one another ’ s company .
“ This collaboration was born out of the creativity , flexibility , and commitment outlined by faculty and staff in the lower school as a Professional Learning Community ( ),” explains Amy Webster . “ Cross-campus collaboration like this allows us a new and creative space to inspire our LS students to a true love of reading by looking up to their older peers who also love to read ,” says Amy .
Amy goes on to explain the core tenets of CPA ’ s participation as a PLC in regards to early childhood literacy . “ Each grade sets specific curricular standards for literacy and reading comprehension , detailing the levels of instruction and intervention for all LS students : What do we want students to know ? How do we know when they know it ? What do we do if they don ’ t ? And what do we do once they do ? These tiers of instruction and intervention are at the core of all our classroom reading , whether students are learning to write their letters or mastering the confidence to read aloud to a peer .”
Groups met several times each month . K-5 student groups were paired with a twelfth grade group leader .
Standards consist of different objectives
22 PURPLE & GOLD 2020-21