Country Lane Receives Cox Grant
ELEMENTALLY ENHANCED: First grade teacher Kelly Zilmer poses with her class as they celebrate the grant they recently received from Cox Communications.
Courtesy Broken Arrow Public Schools
Country Lane Elementary Kindergarten through third grade students have access to new reading materials including reading skills analysis software thanks to a grant provided by Cox Communications.
Country Lane first grade teacher Kelly Zilmer was awarded the $3,740 grant during the fall semester. The items the grant purchased have arrived for the spring semester and are producing rave reviews.
“My students were thrilled with the new books; they were very excited!” exclaims Country Lane first grade teacher Carol Thayer.
“Teachers are very excited to have more reading materials available to our students,” says Country Lane first grade teacher Lindsay Hoskinson.
Zilmer adds the “Better Data equals Better Learning” program provided by the grant is enhancing reading comprehension for students.
“The software “Renaissance Learning” is an advanced technology tool that assesses students’ reading skills and personalizes reading practices to each student’s current level,” Zilmer explains. “‘Renaissance Learning’ will provide early childhood educators, special needs teachers and reading specialists the opportunity to incorporate a variety of leveled books and software within their classrooms and will benefit more than 600 students daily in grades K-3.”
Perhaps the best part about the new materials made possible by the grant is the positive effect the supplies are having on students’ enthusiasm for reading, a crucial element to reading success among new readers.
“My kids who are having difficulty with reading have been enthusiastic about the new books,” Thayer says. “The students are much more motivated to read now.”
Hoskinson agrees stating, “I have noticed an impact in the reading abilities of my students. They are improving their comprehension skills and doing so in a fun way.”
Zilmer says the students’ enthusiasm for the new reading resources has also impacted Country Lane teachers in a great way. “Our goal is to have each child succeed and thanks to these leveled readers, success and motivation are taking place at Country Lane Elementary.”
Updated 04-23-2009
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