To: Parents/Guardians

To: Parents/Guardians

From: Mr. Adam Heerspink

Re: Reading Program

Date: 9-16-2015

Parents/Guardians,

I am writing to inform you of the instructional methods and resources used to teach the subject of Reading in the K-5th grade special education classroom. Below is a brief description of the methods being used.

CAFÉ: In The CAFE Book, Gail Boushey and Joan Moser present a practical, simple way to integrate assessment into daily reading and classroom discussion. The CAFE system, based on research into the habits of proficient readers, is an acronym for Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanding vocabulary. The system includes goal-setting with students in individual conferences, posting of goals on a whole-class board, developing small-group instruction based on clusters of students with similar goals, and targeting whole-class instruction based on emerging student needs. Description taken from:

The Daily Five: The Daily Five is a series of literacy tasks (reading to self, reading with someone, writing, word work, and listening to reading) which students complete daily while the teacher meets with small groups or confers with individuals. Description taken from:

Reading Mastery Plus: Reading Mastery Plus gives students the skills and the clear, explicit instruction and guidance they need to master the fundamentals of reading. Oral language, phonemic awareness, and systematic phonics are the starting point. Vocabulary development, fluency, and comprehension are fundamental throughout. The program is set up so students are active participants. Group responses make learning highly efficient and enable teachers to provide instant feedback that confirms or corrects their responses. Less-structured activities and opportunities for independent work help students develop self-reliance. Description taken from:

Phonics First®: Phonics First is RLAC’s nationally accredited Orton-Gillingham course used to teach literacy. Our dynamic and interactive Professional Development courses and workshops give special and general education teachers the knowledge and expertise to implement evidence-based strategies that improve student achievement.Phonics First®employs the Orton-Gillingham principles of instruction to reading, is language-based, multisensory, structured, sequential, cumulative, cognitive, and flexible. Description taken from:

The majority of our Reading work will be completed in class without a lot of written work. Due to this, you may not see many Reading worksheets coming home. We are continuing to work on and improve our reading while working towards each individual student’s IEP goals and objectives. Please continue to read as much as you can with your child at home. If you have any questions, please contact me at or by phone at 510-9670.

Mr. Adam Heerspink

Bentley Community Schools

Special Services