Dear Parents/Guardians:
This week, teachers in Brookwood School District 167 will be participating in professional training to prepare for the implementation of a new reading intervention program that will be used during the 2015-2016 school year. By the end of the month, teachers will complete this training and will be prepared to implement this intervention program next fall. Your child may be using READ180 next year, a multimedia program that blends teacher instruction with innovative technology to help students become better readers.
Our Board of Education approved and purchased READ180 to support students who are reading below grade level.
Sincerely,
Bethany A. Lindsay, Principal
Brookwood Junior High School
READ180 | FAQ Provided By Scholastic
What is READ180?
READ180 is a multimedia program that is designed to meet the needs of students whose reading achievement is below grade level. The program blends instruction from the teacher with innovative computer software that tracks each student’s progress and customizes instruction to meet a student’s needs.
What happens during a READ180 session?
Each READ180 session begins with the whole class working together with the teacher. Then, the class breaks up into three small groups that take turns working independently on computers, working together with the teacher, and reading independently in a quiet area of the room. At the end of each class session, the whole class comes together again with the teacher for a brief wrap-up. To learn more about the READ180 instructional model and materials and about what students do at each work station, go to the READ180 Classroom page.
What skills do students develop using READ180?
READ180 is designed to help students develop and improve their skills in the following areas:
- Phonics: The lowest-level students in READ180 get instruction in how to “decode” text by understanding how letters and spelling patterns stand for sounds in the English language.
- Fluency: Fluency is the ability to read smoothly, accurately, and with confidence and expression. READ180 students develop fluency through repeated readings of texts on the computer and teacher-guided reading and instruction. Audiobooks and narrated online readings model fluent reading for listeners.
- Reading Comprehension: Students in READ180 learn, practice, and are tested on a variety of skills and strategies (such as finding main ideas, summarizing the important parts of a text, and understanding causes and effects) that help readers better understand and remember what they read.
- Vocabulary
- Spelling
- Writing
- Global Perspectives: READ180 readings focus on diverse people and cultures both within and outside of the United States.
- College and Career Readiness Skills
How was READ 180 developed?
Research for READ180 began in 1985, when Dr. Ted Hasselbring of Vanderbilt University developed breakthrough software that used each student’s performance data to customize a path of reading instruction. Research continued through the 1990s as it was put to the test in Florida’s Orange County public school system.
What are the benefits of READ180?
READ180 is proven to work. Students who enter the program unable to read gradually experience success and become readers. Data from schools across the country show that many READ180 students frequently improve their reading levels by 2–5 years of growth as measured by Lexile®*. In addition, READ180 has been proven to:
- Improve performance on state test results
- Reduce the dropout rate
- Improve reading achievement for African Americans
- Improve reading achievement for English language learners
- Improve reading achievement for students who receive Special Education services
- To learn more about the benefits of READ180, go to the READ180 Works
What is a Lexile measure?
A Lexile measure is a unit of measurement that is used to indicate the difficulty of text, such as a book. The Lexile measure is shown as a number with an “L” after it. Higher Lexile measures represent a higher level of reading ability while lower Lexile measures represent a lower level of reading ability. Lexile text measures are based on word frequency and sentence length. All independent reading books and eReads in READ180 are assigned a Lexile measure based on their level of difficulty. Software passages are also leveled. Students are assigned to the appropriate level in the software based on their SRI score, which measures their reading level.
How is a READ180 student’s reading level determined?
Each student takes a placement test called the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI). The test uses the Lexile Framework® for Reading to measure how well the student understands the reading material on the test.* Based on the test results (the student’s SRI score), the student is placed into the appropriate level on the READ180 Software and guided to choose books and materials at an appropriate level during independent reading time.
How do Special Education students benefit from READ180?
READ180 assesses and teaches to the specific needs of your child. To learn more, go to the Special Education page.
How do English Language Learners benefit from READ180?
READ180 offers second language support in the following languages: Cantonese, Hmong, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, and Spanish. READ180 anchor videos (included with every workshop in the rBook and every topic on the software) help students to form background knowledge and mental models of unfamiliar topics. To learn more about how READ180 supports ELLs, go to the English Language Learners page.
We hope that you visit this website often. When you do, you will:
- Learn more about how READ180 works and what happens in the classroom.
- Find out how your child’s progress is measured so you can get ready for parent-teacher conferences.
Get information and tips on how to help your child improve as a reader and a student.
There is a family portal parents can visit to:
- Learn more about how READ180 works and what happens in the classroom.
- Find out how your child’s progress is measured so you can get ready for parent-teacher conferences.
- Get information and tips on how to help your child improve as a reader and a student:
http://www.scholastic.com/read180/familyportal
*LEXILE and LEXILE FRAMEWORK are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of MetaMetrics, Inc.
2015 GRADUATION INFORMATION
IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR!
GRADUATION AT BROOKWOOD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IS |THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015.
IMPORTANT GRADUATION INFORMATION!
8TH GRADE GRADUATION PHOTOGRAPHS (CAP & GOWN) WILL BE TAKEN ON FRIDAY, April 24, 2015
STUDENTS WILL BE GOING HOME WITH INSTANT PROOFS, CONSISTING OF TWO DIFFERENT POSES, AND INFORMATION ON ORDERING
With graduation, certain expenses are necessary. The following list will be the total cost for graduation and should be paid in the office.
**All payments must be made in CASH and in full by May 27, 2015.
Required Expenses
Cap (includes tassel), gown, and medallion………………………… $42.00
Optional Expenses
- Autograph Book………………………………………….. $5.00
- 4” Graduation Bear…………………………………………. $5.00
- Graduation – Formal Dinner/Party @ Glenwoodie Golf Course (5/22/15)………………………… $38.00
Final Date For Payment/Reservation For Party Will Be May 8, 2015
The graduation party will be held on Friday, May 22, 2015 from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Glenwoodie Golf Club.
**If parents would like to attend and have dinner with the students, the cost will be $25.00 for each parent.
Tickets To Graduation
Each 8th grade graduate will receive four (4) tickets. No extra tickets will be issued. This is due to safety & occupancy codes.
**Reminder – Any school fees incurred during the school year must be paid before graduation fees can be paid.
Time Sequence Of Events
- 6:00 PM Graduation: Students enter building through the northwest door (by Room 10) and report to assigned rooms. Students should report to school dressed in their caps and gowns.
- 6:00 PM Main Entry Doors: Will be open to ticket holders only! Everyone Entering Must Have A Ticket, Including Small Children
- 6:30 PM: Processional starts (promptly).
Extra – Curricular Activities | Week Of 5/4/2015
|
MONDAY |
||
| Activity | Time |
Location |
| Morning Tutoring | 7:30-8:30 A.M. | Learning Center |
| Track Meet | 3:30-5:30 P.M. | Columbia Central |
| After School Tutoring | 3:10-4:30 P.M. | Learning Center |
|
TUESDAY |
||
| Morning Tutoring | 7:30-8:30 A.M. | Learning Center |
| Chess Club | 3:10-4:30 P.M. | Room 6 |
| Track Practice | 3:10-4:30 P.M. | Columbia Central |
| After School Tutoring | 3:10-4:30 P.M. | Learning Center |
| Cinco de Mayo Celebration | 2:20-3:10 P.M. | Gym |
|
WEDNESDAY |
||
| Morning Tutoring | 7:30-8:30 A.M. | Learning Center |
| Student Council | 3:10-4:30 P.M. | Learning Center |
| Track Practice | 3:10-4:30 P.M. | Gym |
| After School Tutoring | 3:10-4:30 P.M. | Learning Center |
| Anime Club | 3:10-4:30 P.M. | Room 16 |
|
THURSDAY |
||
| Morning Tutoring | 7:30-8:30 A.M. | Learning Center |
| After School Tutoring | 3:10-4:30 P.M. | Learning Center |
| Track Meet | 3:30-5:30 P.M. | Lansing Memorial |
|
FRIDAY |
||
| Early Dismissal | School Improvement | 11:30 A.M. |
