ELEMENTARY NEWS
SUPPLEMENTING INSTRUCTION WITH AMIRA
Elementary students in Brentwood are now engaged with the innovative AMIRA program , a supplement to our Into Reading English Language Arts program . AMIRA , designed to enhance early reading skills , captivates our young learners with its interactive and personalized learning features . The program uses AI technology to assess individual reading abilities , tailoring lessons to each student ' s specific needs .
Through engaging assessments , activities and adaptive feedback , AMIRA learns each child ’ s reading needs , and creates a supportive learning environment individualized to the progression each child needs to be taking . When a student is learning letter sounds or new words , the program shows him or her the placement of the mouth and articulation , then listens to the student as they practice the skill . This allows each student to receive tailored feedback while practicing these literacy skills .
The program focuses on foundational literacy skills such as phonics and comprehension and promotes a love for reading , which Kindergarten teacher , Rachael Maiden , sees with her
early readers . As students learn with AMIRA , teachers can track progress and customize interventions , or instruct small groups , and ensure that each child receives the targeted support required for their literacy journey .
Rachael has started to develop a routine incorporating AMIRA into her kindergarten day . She says , “ My students know that when it ’ s time for small groups , it ’ s time for Amira ! As a child , they love the playful interaction between themselves talking and AMIRA responding with a curated answer . As a teacher , I love that each student is working on a skill or task that is differentiated for them .”
We ’ re looking forward to seeing how this program helps our students develop their literacy skills . Rachael goes on to say , “ I can easily see running records of student reading fluency and grouping my students accordingly for better instruction . While this program was new to the students , it was new to me , as well . I ’ m learning along with them . They see the excitement in their teacher to learn something new and it encourages them want to learn something new , too .”
rentwood Borough
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
BRENTWOOD-BALDWIN-WHITEHALL ❘ SPRING 2024 75