From Letter Sounds to Learning Success: the Kindergarten Program at New Haven Reads

I can’t believe that 2012 is nearly upon us!  During the last six months, New Haven Reads Kindergarten Literacy Program, funded in part by United Way, has concluded another successful summer reading intensive and is well into its seventh year of afterschool classes.  Thirty-three kindergarteners and eight pre-k students come twice a week to 45 Bristol St. or 4 Science Park, where they practice phonics, comprehension, and handwriting in a small class and supportive environment.  Early literacy continues to be integral to the vision of New Haven Reads.   Here are some details on how we put our passion into practice!

Summer Literacy Camp—Phonics, Field Trips, and Fun!

During the month of July, 30 rising first- and second-graders came to the Dixwell-Yale Community Learning Center every weekday morning from 9:00-12:00 to read, explore, and have fun learning.  Adela Schrader, first grade teacher in East Haven and longtime NHR kindergarten teacher, worked with students preparing for first grade, while NHR collaborator Wendy North of Literacy How took charge of the upcoming second-graders. 

Mornings began with all the students, staff, and interns going over days of the week and months of the year, determining the weather, and singing silly songs: sometimes we went on a bear hunt and other times the meatball rolled out the door! 

Songs also reinforced short and long vowel sounds, concepts which were central to the literacy program’s curriculum.  Students studied blends, digraphs, and other phonetic elements through individual workbooks, phonics centers and games, and read-aloud time.  Adela and Wendy challenged the kids to use creative strategies to sound out words.  Wendy remembers a little boy’s “aha” moment when he finally understood how to link sounds in a word together after associating sounds with different parts of his arm: “C at the shoulder, a at the elbow, and t at the wrist.  Now sweep your right hand down your left arm and say the sounds fast.  What word is it?  CAT!”

After weeks of retelling stories and identifying authors, students received a thrilling treat as local children’s author Debbie Freedman came for a special story time.  Debbie personalized and signed copies of her book Scribble for each student and was tickled to receive the kids’ own “scribbles” inspired by her story.

Students also took field trips to the British Art Gallery and Peabody Museum, along with weekly excursions to the New Haven Reads Book Bank for free books to take home.  Both parents and students raved about the camp, and we can’t wait for summer 2012 to do it all again!

School Year Sessions—Reinforcement, Encouragement, and Enjoyment

At New Haven Reads, we not only try to give our kids the ability to read, but also aim to instill joy and passion for reading.  Our kindergarteners and pre-k students meet twice a week for hour-long classes in which they practice letter identification and sounds, listen to and analyze stories, and develop basic literacy skills.

Adela teaches the kindergarten classes at 45 Bristol St., and she has been thrilled with number of parents who have chosen to observe the class and learn techniques to practice with their children.  Thanks to a grant from Covidien, Adela’s class is also getting to learn about nutrition through a healthy snacks program.

“Sight Word Hot Potato” is the game of choice during the last ten minutes of kindergarten class at 4 Science Park.  Students review their sight words and practice rhythm and sharing skills at the same time.

I feel blessed to witness the excitement and awe of students who are starting to “crack the code” and realize that words can be broken down into sounds and then put together again to create meaning.  They are discovering a skill that I take for granted every day, and their perspective instills in me an ever-stronger desire to make sure that every child has the opportunity to learn to read.