Debbie Vaille is a bit of a hero to us at Catalyst Exhibits and our Area 3 charity blog but she’s even more so to the semi-illiterate children whom she has taught to read.
As a teacher in Boulder, Colorado, her unique reading programme for 12-14-year olds has helped those kids catch back-up in an educational system that has left them behind.
On top of that, she has managed to instill a love of reading, which is no mean feat.
Debbie got in touch with us this week to let us know how things are going and, apart from the constant need for funding [something Catalyst continues to help out with] things are going from strength to strength. She wrote….. ”
“……99% of my students scores rose on the GRADE test and the DRA2 fluency test. Students made gains of 1.5 to 2.5 years in reading.
Anecdotally, my students rave about their growth and they attribute it to the constant flow of new books in the classroom and the fact that the books are appropriate for their reading and interest level. Many of them have become habitual readers. (They love the word “habitual.”) They are even talking about the next books they want to read and are making requests for next year. That’s unheard of with struggling readers.
Below find some of the comments from their end-of-year self-reflection/assessment.”
- - This year was a year that I read more books than ever. Also I built my vocabulary
- - I never liked books, but now I do.
- - This year I learned how to read…and read habitually.
- – Every day that I read I feel good.
- - I like books and I became a habitual reader thanks to Mrs. Valette (and her brother).
- - I didn’t like to read, but now reading is good. I would like to keep reading so my vocabulary will grow more and school will be more easy for me.
- - I like to read more this year than the last year because I choose appropriate books.
- - I read a lot this year. I started to enjoy the books.
- - I used to not read but now I do and I’m proud.
- - I’m growing as a reader every day now. I learn things every day and I think I like it.
Debbie and her class need more books that are suited for young readers having problems. Think you could help out? Contact us here.
