Canon-McMillan ’ s Structured Literacy Program : Enhancing Reading and Cognitive Skills anon-Mac CANON-MAC SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
The Canon-McMillan School District has implemented a Structured Literacy Program for K-6 students aiming to build a strong foundation in literacy that will support students ’ academic success at the secondary level . The program emphasizes phonics , phonemic awareness and a knowledge-building curriculum in the early grades , transitioning to a focus on reading to learn , vocabulary development , spelling and writing in the later grades .
The K-2 aspect of the Structured Literacy Program includes the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Curriculum , Fundations for phonological skills and the Geodes series for decodable reading material and knowledge building . These resources help students apply their phonics skills and understanding to the world around them .
In grades K-2 , the program focuses on learning to read . Students develop foundational skills in phonics and phonemic awareness , which are crucial for decoding and word recognition . The use of decodable texts , like the Geodes series , allows students to practice these skills in a meaningful context , integrating their learning across various subjects . However , the Geodes are also carefully designed to help build understanding teaching students that reading is a vehicle to learn .
An example of the program ’ s success is the recent firstgrade field trip to Triple B Farms . During the trip , students demonstrated their knowledge about bees , pollination , germination and wind , subjects they had studied through the Geodes series . Mrs . Bileck , first grade teacher at
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Muse shared that , “ The students were able to engage in complex questions , and provide intelligent responses , which impressed both the farm instructor and bus driver , highlighting the effectiveness of the curriculum .”
Dr . Greg Taranto , assistant to the superintendent for K-6 curriculum and instruction , expressed pride in the program ’ s success . “ It ’ s truly been a collective effort from our teachers , principals and school board members to get to a point where we have a true model approach to teaching literacy . The enthusiasm of our students wanting to share their knowledge and ability to read and write is inspiring ,” he said .
The District ’ s commitment to early literacy is further supported by regular reading screenings . Students from kindergarten through fourth grade are screened three times a year to identify any reading deficits early . This proactive approach allows educators to provide targeted interventions , ensuring that all students receive the support they need to succeed .
The success of the Structured Literacy Program at Canon-McMillan serves as a model for other districts looking to enhance their literacy instruction . With a focus on foundational skills , knowledge building and early intervention , the program is helping to raise academic standards and improve student outcomes across the district .