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Brief description of proposal.
Know-Its and Beyond is a balanced, multi-sensory program designed for small group instruction. The goal is to prevent reading problems from developing by providing sequential, systematic instruction that is fun and engages students in active learning. The program is scientifically research based showing significant evidence of improvement, as published in the Spring 2008 issue of Balanced Reading Instruction, an International Reading Association publication. Students learn reading tricks from Mr. Know-It, a light bulb character, who turns on the light to reading.
1. What is the educational need for this project?
The national reading objective, No Child Left Behind, demands that educators reach at-risk students. Instructors need to prevent reading problems from developing by reaching students at an early age. Keeping with our nation's goal of teaching every child to read by third grade, Know-Its and Beyond targets students who are hard to reach. By engaging them in games and interactive materials, students will apply reading skills which have been taught step by step. Know-Its and Beyond integrates phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, and writing into one systematic approach. By integrating reading strategies in a variety of materials (games, manipulatives, magnetic lapboard activities, books, writing, DVD), students are constantly reviewing skills and applying new ones as they become Know-Its.
2. What are the goals for the students targeted?
- increase/improve reading skills by using Know-Its materials (proven in the research)
- develop strategies for reading (increase word identification, comprehension strategies, phonics, sight words, etc.)
- have special "hands-on" experiences in small group settings
- increase students' confidence in reading as they become Know-Its
- engage students in fun, interactive learning so they will become better readers
- promote social interaction with peers
3. Describe the project and how it will be implemented.
Explain your educational setting. Possibilities are:
- Know-Its and Beyond will be used for RTI (Response to Intervention)
- Know-Its and Beyond will be used in small group settings thirty minutes each day.
- Know-Its and Beyond will be used for tutoring in an after-school program or summer school.
- Know-Its and Beyond will be used in the classroom to work with small groups. The materials will be implemented at additional times through learning centers and game times.
Students will be given direct instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, and writing. The first five elements are the essential components of reading as outlined by the National Reading Panel Report, 2000. Know-Its implements these research-based components, but goes one step further by incorporating writing with the reading skills. Students will apply skills through games, manipulatives, magnetic lapboard activities, books, and writing. Reading strategies are modeled on a video which features Mr. Know-It and other puppets. Materials also will be used in learning centers.
4. How will the results be measured?
Know-Its and Beyond provides an individualized assessment with a pretest and post-test. The Summary Report shows specific gains for each skill so instructors can diagnose and make modifications in students’ reading progress. The Know-Its program implements skills outlined in PASS (Priority Academic Student Skills).
Give other assessments used: Student progress will also be measured by _____________________
5. How many students will be affected by the project?
Explain how many students will be affected directly and how many will be affected indirectly.
If materials will be shared with other teachers or programs such as after-school, volunteer tutors, or classroom learning centers, more students will be affected. Having “game times” with other classrooms is another way to show that more students will be affected.
Also, it could be shown that the program will extend to other classrooms or schools in the future.
6. What materials are needed and what is the cost? (Choose the program that applies.)
| #102 Know-Its and Beyond Readiness (K) |
$1695
(3 Boxes of Materials; 6 MagnaBoards and Stands; 86 Books; 20 copies of Take Homes) |
| #105 Know-Its and Beyond Stage I & II |
$2195
(Includes 4 Boxes of Materials; 6 MagnaBoards and Stands; 90 Books; 20 copies of Stage I Write-It Activities and 20 copies Stage II Write-It Activities; Free Wall Charts; Classroom Writing Pack (20 copies of four Titles) |
| #103 Know-Its and Beyond Stage I |
$1100
(2 Boxes of Materials; 6 MagnaBoards and Stands; 48 books; 20copies of Write-It Activities Books) |
| #104 Know-Its and Beyond Stage II |
$1200
(2 Boxes of Materials; 6 MagnaBoards and Stands; 42 Books; 20 copies of Write-It Activities Books) |
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Mr. Know-It's Write-On Books are erasable large format books included in the Pre-Readiness Kits and available individually.
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Miss Diane makes RTI (Response To Intervention) easy to understand and implement. Read the series of articles explaining RTI and explore effective reading strategies.