A $2,000 literacy grant awarded to Carroll County Schools has helped students during the summer reading programs.
Students from Kathryn Winn and Cartmell have attended summer school together and utilized equipment purchased through the Dollar General Family Literacy Grant.
“The grant is basically $2,000 to support the creation or expansion of summer reading programs,” said Assistant Superintendent Jonica Ray. The money was used to purchase headsets with built-in microphones for students to use the Amira Learning online reading program during summer school.
The children read into the microphone and receive online tutoring to correct their errors while also tracking their reading progress.
Jessica Butcher, elementary summer learning coordinator, said, “This program allows teachers real time data for every student which allows the teacher to immediately provide instruction to correct common misconceptions with their reading fluency which will in turn allow students to grow as readers.” The fact that it records the students while reading allows the teachers to modify their instruction.
“The students seem to really be enjoying using the headsets to practice their reading skills,” Ray said. “We are looking forward to seeing the reading growth achieved during summer school and we plan to continue to use the program to supplement reading instruction during the upcoming school year.”