Literacy Plan: Pocahontas Middle School Plan created by: Beth Fortune & Dawn Cooper EDUC 645 – Fall 2013

Literacy Need at PMS Taking a look at Pocahontas Middle School: – Located in Powhatan, Virginia, a rural area within minutes of Downtown Richmond – Comprised of 5 th and 6 th grade Free & Reduced Lunch

Literacy Need at PMS PTR of 24.1:1 in 5 th grade 24.7:1 in 6 th grade 38% of Teachers have a Bachelor’s Degree 60% of Teachers have a Master’s Degree 2% have a Doctorate At PMS you will find: Library & Librarian (1) Principal and Assistant Principal (1 each) Smart Boards for Checkout Classroom Libraries ebeams in Some Classrooms Reading Specialist (1) DEAR Books in Classrooms Mobile Laptops (2 Sets) Computer Labs (4)

Literacy Need at PMS

Possible Solutions: Success for All Soar for Success by Houghton Mifflin CARS and STARS by Curriculum Associates Invitations to Literacy by Houghton Mifflin

grades 1-6 whole group, small group, partner and independent strategies. direct instruction, cooperative learning and independent practice. direct skills instruction developed exclusively for the SFA program. estimated cost (including extensive training) - approximately $70,000 – 85,000 /500 students in grades K-5 grades 3-8. small groups of about 5-7 students. supplements a balanced literacy program by assisting struggling students pullout program reciprocal teaching and graphic organizers. Scaffolding approach that diminishes as skills improve.

Grades K- 8 STARS (Strategies to Achieve Reading Success)focus on 12 specific comprehension skills (including drawing conclusions) CARS (Comprehensive Assessment of Reading Strategies) assess reading ability and pinpoint weaknesses cost is about $5.95 per teacher guide and $39.90 for a set of 10 student books for CARS and $9.95 for STARS student books and teacher guides grades K - 6 whole class, small group, partner and individual activities uses the basal reader builds background knowledge prior to reading costs vary depending on materials purchased (comparable to similar programs.)

Solution: CARS and STARS by Curriculum Associates

Solution: CARS and STARS 12 Lessons Broken down into “units” of 3 lessons 5 pre-tests for each unit 5 posttests for each unit Section Reviews Benchmarks The cost of the CARS and STARS books is also another reason we chose this as our solution. – A teacher’s guide for CARS is $5.95, while a 10-pack of student books is $ – The STARS teacher’s guides and student books are both $9.95 each.

Professional Development Plan Direct Hands-on Training for Classroom Teachers & IAs Information Sent to Parents Motivators: – Competition – Flexibility with Implementation Times – Jeans Coupons Reading Specialist Support: – Finding Funding – Training – Assessment Support – Teaching & Planning – Analyzing Data

Timeline for Implementation Teacher check-out of Teacher’s Guide & Student Book……………..Summer 2014 Formal Introduction of CARS and STARS program………………..August 27 th, 2014 Formal Meeting with Teachers/IA’s………………………..1 st Week of October, 2014 Benchmark Administration and Data Collection…………………….November 2014 Whole Staff Update……………………………………………………………………January 2015 Pacing & Adjustments Inservice…………………………………………………..March 2015 Comprehensive Review of Plan Meeting…………………………………………May 2015 Implementation of Year 2 of Program (5 th graders moving up to 6 th grade & new 5 th grade class)…………… School Year

Timeline for Implementation -Assessment & Monitoring Starts Right Away -Inservice Days used for: -Training -Reflection -Analysis -Implementation and Success/Challenges Monitored through Monthly and Bi-Monthly meetings and Training. -Foreseeable Issue: Implementation of Plan on a Consistent Basis -Implement a Pacing Chart if Needed