ACCELERATED READING PROGRAM
Since September, 2005, our school has been part of a very successful reading program, Accelerated Reader. Accelerated Reader has been providing the essential practice component of our core reading curriculum. In addition to making reading practice fun and exciting for every student, AR gives you continuous feedback to personalize instruction so every student achieves maximum success. Classes from Kindergarten through the sixth grade use this program on a daily basis. Students log on the Internet, where the quiz programs are located. The quizzing process can take less than five minutes to complete. We make full use of the library, computer lab and the classroom computers to accommodate students when they are ready to be quizzed. Our students have become very motivated by this program. Parents can help by encouraging students to read daily.
The Carmel Hill Fund is our sponsoring organization. In addition to funding Accelerated Reader, Carmel Hill supplies schools with enough high quality literature to support optimal
implementation of AR. Books are purchased for school libraries, which receive further upgrades through the provision of automation and training for librarians. As children become more enthusiastic readers, the library becomes the hub of activity. Carmel Hill also supplied our
school with several computers so that children can take quizzes easily and efficiently.
TUTORIAL PROGRAM
The Finley School has tutorial programs for the early grades. The services are provided by City College and NYU students. Our extended time literacy program focuses on all students in grades 3-6. In addition, we have After-School Math, Power Saturdays in literacy and math for students with a component for parents, and the NYC Learning Academy.
Our school has renewed its participation in the Success For All Program, (SFA). Success for All (SFA) is a comprehensive reading approach designed to ensure that every child will read at grade level or above. The program, for grades Pre-K to 6, emphasizes prevention and early intervention to respond to and solve any child’s learning problems. SFA is an approved model in accordance with the “No Child Left Behind” legislation. Success for All provides schools with:
- Research-based curriculum materials.
- Extensive professional development in proven instructional strategies.
- Assessment and data-monitoring tools.
- Classroom management techniques.
- One-to-one tutoring for struggling students.
- Ongoing family involvement and community support.