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Dear Parents and Guardians,
I hope this message finds you well. We wanted to take a moment to inform you of an important shift in our approach to literacy instruction at Lake Geneva Schools. We believe that this change will significantly benefit your child's reading and writing skills, and we want to ensure that you are well-informed about it.
In recent years, education has seen advancements in our understanding of how children learn to read and write effectively. Based on the latest research, best practices, and changes in Wisconsin state legislations, we have decided to transition from a Balanced Literacy approach to a Structured Literacy approach.
What is Structured Literacy?
Structured Literacy is an evidence-based approach to teaching reading and writing that is highly systematic, explicit, and sequential. It focuses on teaching the foundational skills of reading, including phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling, vocabulary, and comprehension, in a structured, explicit and comprehensive manner.
Why the Transition?
We believe that Structured Literacy provides several key benefits for our students:
1. Stronger Foundations: Structured Literacy ensures that every student receives a solid foundation in the essential skills needed for reading and writing, which is crucial for their long-term success.
2. Inclusivity: This approach is inclusive and adaptable, making it effective for all students, including those with diverse learning needs.
3. Consistency: Structured Literacy provides a consistent framework for instruction, which can be particularly helpful for students who may have experienced gaps in their learning.
4. Research-Based: The decision to transition is rooted in the latest research and best practices in literacy instruction, ensuring that we are providing the most effective methods to support your child's literacy development.
What to Expect
As we transition to Structured Literacy, you can expect the following changes:
1. Instructional Approach: Our teachers will be using Structured Literacy principles to guide their reading and writing instruction. Each day, students will receive whole group instruction in phonics, comprehension, writing, grammar, spelling, and fluency. Teachers will be using small group instruction, for small portions of the literacy block, to differentiate instruction.
2. Materials: We will be using new instructional materials that align with the Structured Literacy approach. This year, we will be using the UFLI Phonics Program in grades 5K - 5th grade. This universal instruction will take place daily for 30 minutes.
3. Professional Development: Our educators will receive ongoing professional development to ensure they are well-equipped to implement Structured Literacy effectively.
4. Progress Monitoring: We will continue to monitor your child's progress closely and make any necessary adjustments to support their individual needs.
We understand that change can be challenging, but we are confident that this transition will have a positive impact on your child's literacy development. We are committed to working closely with you to ensure a smooth transition and to address any questions or concerns you may have along the way.
If you have any questions or would like more information about Structured Literacy, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher, our reading specialists, your building principal, or myself. We value your partnership in your child's education and are excited about the opportunities that this new approach will provide for their growth and success.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to working together to help your child achieve their full potential in literacy.
Sincerely,
Erin Zigler
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Lake Geneva Schools
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