Funding benefits advanced readers
Published 10:31 am Wednesday, September 24, 2008
If you know how to spell “pterandodon,” “triceratops” or “anatosaurus,” chances are, you’re one of Susan Ruzek’s students.
The former teacher was coaxed out of retirement for one more year to head a new resource room, nicknamed “The Tree House,” at Woodson Kindergarten Center.
Aimed at providing higher-level reading instruction for accelerated students, the program was made possible by a district-wide donation from the Hormel Foundation for high potential education.
Ruzek, who points out that at kindergarten age, students are not yet labeled “high potential,” focuses on literature, higher level thinking, writing and word-building in small groups.
As an intervention teacher, Ruzek leads 45-minute classes with “C.T.,” a “Critical Thinking Critter,” four mornings a week for students who entered kindergarten with advanced reading skills. Students are observed the first two weeks of the school year to see who would work well in The Tree House.
“I’m reinforcing what they’re doing in their classroom, but at a faster pace,” Ruzek said.
On Tuesday, Ruzek’s students worked on their dinosaur unit, using words, stories and sentences revolving around its theme. They wrote a poem about dinosaurs, and are working on answering the question, “What would it be like to have a dinosaur as a pet?”
Ruzek said students move in and out of The Tree House as teachers see fit. Participants meet during the same time their peers are in reading class.
This program would not exist without the extra funding, Ruzek said, and is invaluable to the school by providing advanced students the chance to learn more.
“We think it’s an exciting opportunity for kids who have a little ‘extra,’” she said.