We were able to compare each child’s score on each basic skill with our school, class, and state averages for this time of year.  For example, we can compare the number of addition facts our students can do in one minute with the average student in North Carolina.  We are also able to see how our students are able to do on reading sight words in a minute and compare the results with their classmates, their grade level at this school and their peers across the state.

Why is this important?  What difference does it make how many words your child can read in a minute?  Should we really be concerned if other children are averaging fifty multiplication facts in a minute and your child averages thirty facts in a minute?

The answer is that a child must develop “automaticity” in basic skills in order to be able to do higher level comprehension activities.  In other words, your child must be able to do basic skills such as reading common words without thinking about how to read the words.  If a child cannot read basic words automatically, he or she will struggle with reading comprehension.  If he is not able to solve basic math facts automatically, he will have a hard time solving word problems.

Think of it like driving a car.  You have probably practised driving so much that you are able to think of other things while you drive.  You have achieved “automaticity” in your driving so instead of trying to remember how to turn on your turn signal, you are able to focus on other, more complicated tasks such as remembering to stop by the bank on the way home to get some cash for the movie you are going to see next week.  You know how to find a favorite restaurant without even really thinking about it.  But if you did not practice and you did not have automaticity for basic driving skills, you would spend all of your concentration on very simple tasks such as giving a turn signal and you might be very likely to have an accident. 

When a child achieves automaticity for basic facts, he or she has a very important advantage in the classroom.  By about the third grade, we expect a child to be using reading as a tool for learning other information.  Instead of “learning to read” your child needs to be “reading to learn” and she cannot accomplish this effectively if she doesn’t have automaticity in reading basic words.

Help your child achieve this very critical skill by practicing with him.  For children who are struggling with automaticity, our teachers sent home a letter with an attached list of words or facts for the child to study and practice.  Try timing your child and see how many words or facts he or she can do in a minute.  Make a game of it and help your child to beat his or her own time.  Keep the words and facts in your car so you can practice whenever you have a few minutes.  For more ideas, check on the school website or talk with the teacher.  Together we can help all of our children improve basic skills!

Vicki

Imagine driving to work every day with over 50 children sitting behind you…think about it…when my children were young I sometimes found it hard to drive with just two of them sitting in the back seat.  Yet every day our bus drivers transport several hundred young children safely to school…and they manage to keep their cool and still let those kids off the bus with encouraging words and reminders.  “Go get some 100s for me…learn a lot today…”  I hear one driver call out to each child exiting her bus at school.  She is a hero to me…all of those drivers are heroes to me…

Imagine cooking breakfast at 6:30 every morning…for about 400 hungry children.  When my children were young I felt like I had accomplished a lot if I managed to get cold cereal or a pop tart in them by 7:30 in the morning.  Yet every day our cafeteria staff manages to get two hot meals in all of those hungry little bellies…and they manage to keep their cool and send the kids off to class with caring smiles and lots of encouragement.  “Get to class now, baby…learn a lot today.”  I hear the cafeteria ladies call out to our students and I feel good.  Those ladies are heroes to me…

Imagine cleaning up after 504 children AND 60 other adults every day.  When my children were growing up, I felt like I was supermom if the kitchen was mopped every once in a while and the dishes got washed once a day.  Yet every day our custodial staff manages to polish our building from top to bottom…and still they keep their cool.  “Here, sweetie, I’ll help you with that mess…”  I watch the custodians  work with the little ones and I rejoice!  Those folks are heroes to me…

Imagine doing homework with 22 boys and girls at once for about 6 hours a day.  Not only do you have to encourage and prod to get those kids to do their work…you also have to create it, grade it, and keep 44 parents up to speed about how they are doing.  When my sons were in school, I dreaded homework…even just one hour of it.  I felt like I had accomplished a miracle if I got my boys through the homework hour and only fussed at them a few times!  Yet every day our teachers and instructional assistants manage to motivate 504 young people to accomplish multiple tasks and to learn more than anyone could imagine…and they do it with dignity and humor and compassion.  They do it because teaching is a calling for them like medicine is for doctors.  They do it because they want to help shape the futures of these young people…and they do it with very little recognition or financial reward.  Those men and women are heroes to me!

The word “hero” came from the Greek word ‘heros’.  It meant “a person of superhuman strength or courage“.  Another meaning is “champion“.  If you would like to see what I see…if you wonder what superhuman strength or courage looks like…if you want to meet a real life hero…come spend a day with me at Beaufort Elementary School.  I can show you about 74 of them.  They are my staff…and it is my honor and my privilege to work with them.

Vicki

School is off to a great start this year.  You may hear your child talking about some “screening” we did at school last week.  What happened was that each child was given a few “one minute probes” on specific skills in reading, writing, spelling, and math at his or her grade level.  Now we have very specific information to help each one of our children start working on specific educational needs.  We are going to do this by starting a regular “Power Hour”in our day at BES.  

During Power Hour each staff member will be working with children on their individual academic strengths and needs.  We will be able to individualize our strategies to meet the needs of your child!   We are turning our school into a  professional learning community to maximize the resources we have for each and every child at Beaufort Elementary.  We are all excited about this research-based approach to working with children.  But don’t worry, we will still have lot’s of time for all of the routine activities of our state curriculum.  Please keep reading my blog for more information about our programs at BES.  These are wonderful times for our students.  I know you will enjoy hearing more about them!

Vicki

Time out for the "Breakfast of Champions!"