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UPK students to receive new literacy learning book system
As part of its continued efforts to increase literacy rates among all students, the Poughkeepsie City School District is utilizing a new tool designed to help young students learn to read by practicing phonics skills.
The district has partnered with Just Right Reader to provide sets of decodable books to all Universal Pre-K students.
By reading them, students build a deep understanding of language and the way in which letters and sounds connect to form words. Students learn to read these books independently, which helps build their confidence in reading and motivation to read.
The first set is scheduled to be given out to students the week of Nov. 4. UPK students will receive 11 sets of books, given out every couple weeks through the end of the school year. Dual language students enrolled at the Early Learning Center will also receive eight sets of Spanish language books.
Each book focuses on a letter or sound and provides images and words to build students’ understanding of the letter-sound relationship. Each set of books expands or builds upon a sound or skill.
“They’re fun, colorful and tell stories that get kids excited to read and keep reading,” said Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, superintendent of schools.
Each book also includes a video that teaches the student about the sound they are going to read, and directions for how to complete the book. These videos are accessible in English and Spanish and available through a QR code.
In addition, each book has a lesson plan that teachers can use in class to teach the sound.
“We hope that these decodable sets will further develop the home-to-school connection, bridging the relationship between what is happening in the classroom and the supports being provided at home,” said Janet Bisti, director of elementary education.
The decodable books can be carried around in the blue drawstring bag that will be provided to students with their first set. The bag has the student’s name written on it and has a QR code with a special message to families explaining the books and their purpose.