News
I is for Innovation and Improvement
by SF Ed Fund on
Amalia Medina is a first-grade teacher at one of the lowest-performing elementary schools in San Francisco. The majority of her students are emergent readers and writers, which means many of them have limited speaking vocabularies. In fact, this is the greatest difference between emergent learners and students who are on target for their grade level.[caption id="attachment_440" align="alignleft" width="400"]
“The audio library has become a second educator in our classroom," first-grade teacher Ms. Medina said.[/caption]This year, Ms. Medina received an Innovation Lab Grant from the San Francisco Education Fund to create an audio library in her classroom. In addition to funding more than 20 audio books, three C.D. players and phonemic (audio) awareness activities, this grant also fueled the creation of hands-on activities for the centers.Students listened to one story daily and completed a corresponding comprehension sheet. Ms. Medina explained, "Many of my students do not get numerous opportunities to hear proper English, learn new vocabulary or express their ideas through words. The audio center has become a chunk of time where all students can engage in books regardless of the reading levels."The results have been overwhelmingly positive.[caption id="attachment_443" align="alignright" width="350"]
New hands-on activities and listening centers have given Ms. Medina's students the extra support they need to succeed.[/caption]“Through its use, my students have been given the opportunity to receive twice the amount of reading support they would have received had we not had a full functioning listening center,” Ms. Medina said. “The audio library has become a second educator in our classroom. With its support, I have witnessed a tremendous growth in my students’ reading and writing abilities, speaking and listening vocabularies and comprehension. The growth and confidence they have shown since the beginning of the year is unparalleled.”Before the audio library was established, the majority of Ms. Medina’s students were reading far below grade level, according to the Fountas and Pinnell literacy assessment. But within four months of its introduction, she noticed a dramatic rise in their test scores. The number of students reading far below grade level dropped, with more student reading just below or at grade level.
“All of these activities have taken student motivation to learn concepts to new heights,” Ms. Medina said. “I often find myself standing in the room and just observing the amazing learning ‘buzz’ that occurs with all the students. The children have taken the lead in their learning. They have become enthusiastic and take pride in their achievement. This determination to continue to grow is unlike any I have ever seen in any classroom I have been privileged to facilitate.”
“The audio library has become a second educator in our classroom," first-grade teacher Ms. Medina said.[/caption]This year, Ms. Medina received an Innovation Lab Grant from the San Francisco Education Fund to create an audio library in her classroom. In addition to funding more than 20 audio books, three C.D. players and phonemic (audio) awareness activities, this grant also fueled the creation of hands-on activities for the centers.Students listened to one story daily and completed a corresponding comprehension sheet. Ms. Medina explained, "Many of my students do not get numerous opportunities to hear proper English, learn new vocabulary or express their ideas through words. The audio center has become a chunk of time where all students can engage in books regardless of the reading levels."The results have been overwhelmingly positive.[caption id="attachment_443" align="alignright" width="350"] New hands-on activities and listening centers have given Ms. Medina's students the extra support they need to succeed.[/caption]“Through its use, my students have been given the opportunity to receive twice the amount of reading support they would have received had we not had a full functioning listening center,” Ms. Medina said. “The audio library has become a second educator in our classroom. With its support, I have witnessed a tremendous growth in my students’ reading and writing abilities, speaking and listening vocabularies and comprehension. The growth and confidence they have shown since the beginning of the year is unparalleled.”Before the audio library was established, the majority of Ms. Medina’s students were reading far below grade level, according to the Fountas and Pinnell literacy assessment. But within four months of its introduction, she noticed a dramatic rise in their test scores. The number of students reading far below grade level dropped, with more student reading just below or at grade level.“All of these activities have taken student motivation to learn concepts to new heights,” Ms. Medina said. “I often find myself standing in the room and just observing the amazing learning ‘buzz’ that occurs with all the students. The children have taken the lead in their learning. They have become enthusiastic and take pride in their achievement. This determination to continue to grow is unlike any I have ever seen in any classroom I have been privileged to facilitate.”