Students will soon be “going to town” on books with the recent adoption of Story Town, a new K-5 reading program approved during the recent USD 490 Board of Education meeting.
Julie Jensen, USD 490 director of curriculum, provided a summary of the program to members last week.
She explained that initially two programs were being considered and Story Town provided differentiated instruction and caters to K-5 students providing multi-media and level exercises.
The program features strategic intervention projects and technology aspects.
Parents and teachers will be able to track student progress with online report availability.
A multi-sensory approach to handwriting was also discussed.
The package option Jensen presented contained chalkboard with wet and dry erasers.
The purpose of erasing is to reiterate the shape of the letter to the child drawing and erasing in the same motion several times.
The multi-sensory aspect involves blocks with four shapes. Children combine the shapes to form letters.
The letter C is the first shape kids learn and from there they build their knowledge of shape combinations to form more complicated letters.
One-time funds will provide money for the purchase of equipment.
“It is developmentally and cognitively sound,” remarked Sue Givens, superintendent.
