In an effort to communicate information about CCRS, HHS held its first ever "Reading Extravaganza" on September 19, 2013. The night began with a delicious spaghetti supper prepared by the HHS lunchroom staff. A Regular Meeting of the PTA followed. At the conclusion of the PTA meeting, instructional coach, Mrs. Melanie Matthews, explained to parents why the Alabama State Department of Education decided to make a change with state standards. Parents were then dismissed to the grade level of their choice. During the break-out sessions, parents:
- engaged in an effective literacy based activity through the use of the carousel strategy,
- TWIRLed,
- focused on acceleration activities,
- were given information on the reading process,
- were instructed as to how they can build comprehension by effective questioning during read aloud story time, specifically through using graphic sources to help students infer answers when they are not directly given,
- were instructed that 50% of what their students are expected to read comes in the form of high-frequency or sight words,
- were given a set of high-frequency word flash cards,
- received instructional strategies regarding the sortment of words into sets,
- participated in a "Make and Take" activity by cutting out sight words already introduced to begin using this resource at home immediately.
With over 100 signatures on sign-in sheets HHS is considering the night a success! Much thanks to Mrs. Melanie Matthews, instructional coach, for bringing this awareness to our parents. Also, kudos to the administration and teachers who participated.
