A Safe Space to Grow
Fonda Baumgartner serves as the Academic Intervention Strategist in K-5 Math and Reading at CPA Lower School . Her approach to supporting academic success in each student is centered around meeting the student with what exactly they need , empowering them to be the owners of their own progress and connecting their learning goals with what interests them .
“ When students come to meet with me , the very first thing we do is identify what they need . In some instances , this can be as simple as ‘ I feel wiggly , I need a swivel chair that moves ,’ or ‘ I feel cold , I need a blanket .’ However they learn best , I want them to feel fully celebrated in who they are and feel that this is a safe space to grow ,” says Fonda .
Fonda works with a student to form his or her “ team ,” including herself , the student , and his or her parent ( s ), all equal partners in making the intervention strategy successful . The team sets specific goals , and students have access to their own AIMSweb data ( tool used to house and track data in math and reading fluency ) to monitor progress .
“ Knowing their own data and tracking their own goals allows them to better cheer themselves on in a sense , demystifying the tools we use as educators to help them . They need to know that their own engagement is vital to the process , and each student feels such a sense of pride and accomplishment at each benchmark met ,” explains Fonda .
In daily sessions , Fonda will begin by letting the student select for themselves an easy , medium , or hard challenge , giving them the opportunity to advocate for themselves based on what kind of day they are having . This develops a sense of trust and opens up conversation for why a student may need to choose an easy challenge or want to up the ante with a hard challenge .
Reading to a child is actually one of the most efficient activities a parent can do , fulfilling so many critical needs at the same time : physical touch , phonemic awareness , visual stimulation , artistic appreciation , vocabulary development , the list goes on ,” Fonda explains .
Fonda ’ s connections here are critical in gaining student response , allowing each student to reach his or her potential and engage mind , body , and spirit in whatever academic endeavors lie before them . Her research on the neurology of early childhood literacy sheds light on the importance of building a love of reading in young children . Because of the advancements made with functional MRI ’ s , scientists have been able to confirm that literacy stimulates the same parts of the brain used in identifying home , family , and relationships .
“ Today , more than ever , it is critical that parents read with their children every single day , even before they are verbal . Reading to a child is actually one of the most efficient activities a parent can do , fulfilling so many critical needs at the same time : physical touch , phonemic awareness , visual stimulation , artistic appreciation , vocabulary development , the list goes on ,” Fonda explains .
Fonda goes on to say that while technology can be a helpful tool , devices can often be distracting when it comes to reading for young children . Real books are valuable . She also emphasizes book selection and the need to find books that excite your child , focusing on his or her interests , and always having the books physically accessible in your home . Develop the reflex to read early , and the benefits are manifold .
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