As your child's first-grade teacher, I want to share how we monitor and support their progress in literacy through our RTII (Response to Instruction and Intervention) program. Here's what we do at each tier to ensure every student gets the help they need:

Tier 1: General Classroom Instruction

• Phonemic Awareness Activities: In our classroom, we use the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness program, which includes fun activities like rhyming games and songs to help all students recognize and produce rhyming words. This builds foundational literacy skills that are assessed through regular classroom activities and screenings.

• Shared Reading: During storytime, I read aloud to the class, modeling fluent reading and asking questions to engage students in understanding the story. This helps improve their listening and comprehension skills, which are assessed through comprehension questions and discussions.

• Word Walls: We have a word wall with high-frequency words that students can refer to. This helps them quickly recognize and read common words, boosting their reading confidence. Their recognition of these words is assessed through reading fluency checks.

• IXL Technology: We use IXL, an online learning platform, to reinforce literacy skills. Students can practice phonics, reading comprehension, and vocabulary through interactive activities and games. IXL provides immediate feedback, helping students learn at their own pace. Their progress on IXL is tracked and used to inform our assessments.

Tier 2: Extra Help in Small Groups

• Phonics Instruction: For students who need a bit more help, I work with small groups on blending sounds to read simple words. For example, we practice sounding out and blending the letters in "cat" and "dog." Their progress is assessed through regular phonics assessments.

• Guided Reading: I meet with small groups to read books that match their reading level. During these sessions, I provide support and strategies to help improve their reading skills. Their reading levels are assessed through running records and guided reading assessments.

• Targeted Vocabulary: We focus on learning and using new vocabulary words through interactive activities like matching games or using the words in sentences. This helps expand their vocabulary and understanding, which is assessed through vocabulary quizzes and usage in writing.

• IXL Technology: In small groups, students use IXL to practice specific skills they need to improve. The platform adapts to each student's level, providing personalized practice and tracking their progress. Their IXL progress is used to inform our assessments and adjust instruction as needed.

Tier 3: One-on-One Support

• Intensive Phonemic Awareness: For students who need even more support, I provide one-on-one sessions focusing on segmenting and blending sounds in words. For example, we might break down the word "bat" into /b/ /a/ /t/ and then blend them back together. Their progress is closely monitored through phonemic awareness assessments.

• Personalized Reading Practice: I work individually with students on reading books at their specific reading level, providing immediate feedback and strategies to improve their fluency and comprehension. Their reading progress is assessed through one-on-one reading assessments and fluency checks.

• Explicit Instruction in Comprehension: We work on understanding the main idea and details of a story, using visual aids and discussion to reinforce comprehension skills. Their comprehension is assessed through comprehension questions and discussions.

• Additional Support Staff: In Tier 3, students also receive support from additional staff members, such as reading specialists or interventionists. These professionals work closely with me to provide intensive, individualized instruction tailored to each student's needs. They might pull students out of the classroom for specialized sessions or work with them within the classroom setting. This collaborative approach ensures that students receive consistent and targeted support throughout their school day. Their progress is assessed through specialized assessments conducted by the support staff.

• IXL Technology: Students use IXL for targeted practice on specific skills identified through our assessments. The platform's adaptive technology ensures that each student is challenged at the right level, and I can monitor their progress closely. Their IXL progress is used to inform our assessments and guide our instruction.

Keeping Parents Informed

• Regular Updates: I will provide regular updates on your child's progress through newsletters, emails, or our classroom communication app. This will include information on what we are working on and how your child is progressing.

• Progress Reports: You will receive detailed progress reports at the end of each grading period, outlining your child's achievements and areas for improvement.

• Parent-Teacher Conferences: We will have scheduled parent-teacher conferences where we can discuss your child's progress in detail. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and understand how you can support your child's learning at home.

• IXL Reports: IXL provides detailed reports on your child's progress, which I will share with you. These reports show the skills your child has mastered and areas where they may need more practice.

By using these strategies, including the Heggerty program, IXL technology, and additional support from our dedicated staff, we can make sure every child gets the support they need to succeed in literacy. If you have any questions or concerns about your child's progress, please feel free to reach out to me. I'm here to help!