GCS K-6 Reading Program

We are excited to begin the implementation of our K-6 Reading program this September, 2008. Forty-six of our K-6 ELA/Reading teachers came together for a three day reading forum this August, to learn more and to plan our comprehensive, district wide program.

This reading program is the result of a year long pilot initiative that allowed our teachers to systematically evaluate four different programs. The GCS program combines the teaching of reading through Orton Gillingham at grades K-2 and the MacMillan Treasures & Triumphs program for grades 3-6, with some components at grades K-2. We saw wonderful results during our pilot year and have determined that Orton-Gillingham will be an integral part of our K-2 core reading program, with OG used as needed during intervention at grades K-6. Our results with Macmillan's program, and the strong integration of writing, will allow us to prepare every student for continued success at the middle school.

We worked to assess each pilot and to determine which scientifically, research based approach best integrates the essential elements of reading: phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. In addition, we paid attention to the best program that allows our students to not only learn the mechanics of reading, but also foster the love of reading in every child.        

We are confident that our careful, deep analysis of the pilots and our evidence of student learning have led to a decision that represents the best possible K-6 GCS reading program for our Gowanda students.  

Below please find the presentation made to our BOE and community at the March, 2008 BOE meeting. In addition, readers will find a short video that illustrates the Orton-Gillingham reading instruction in our K-2 classrooms.

There is simply no more important skill that we can give our children than the ability to read with understanding and to enjoy it.  

Click above to watch a video of our OG reading lessons in grades K-2. It's a large file, so it takes a while to load. Those with dial-up service will find it  difficult. Residents are welcome to access anything on our website from our school. 

Proposed K-6 Reading Program (pdf file - 1665 KB)
Presentation made to the BOE for the proposed GCS K-6 Reading Program, Implementation Planned for 2008-2009 School Year


File Orton-Gillingham at GES.mov (mov file - 43846 KB)
Watch a Video of Orton-Gillingham Reading Instruction in our K-2 Classrooms

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