Nurturing Literacy for Students at Eugene Reimer Middle School

Literacy is a fundamental skill that opens doors to countless opportunities. At Eugene Reimer Middle School, we are committed to ensuring that every student, regardless of their abilities, has the chance to develop strong literacy skills. This year, we are piloting several  innovative programs and activities to support our students in their literacy journey. We are using the Early Literacy Skills Builder (ELSB) for our non-speaking students, the UFLI resources for building a strong reading foundation, and a reading bingo competition in our Learning Commons to encourage book sign-outs. 

Non-speaking students face unique challenges when it comes to developing literacy skills. To support these students, we are working with school district staff to introduce the Early Literacy Skills Builder (ELSB) program. ELSB is a research-based curriculum designed to teach foundational literacy skills to students, including those who are non-speaking. 

One of the key components of the ELSB program is the use of visual supports and assistive technology. These tools help non-speaking students to communicate and participate in literacy activities. For example, picture symbols and communication devices can be used to help students express their thoughts and understand the content being taught. By providing these supports, we are ensuring that non-speaking students have the opportunity to develop their literacy skills and achieve their full potential. 

In addition to the ELSB program, we are also using the UFLI (University of Florida Literacy Institute) resources to build a strong foundation for reading among our students. The UFLI resources are designed to provide comprehensive and systematic instruction in reading, with a focus on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. 

This resource is being used by our staff to provide targeted instruction to students who need additional support in developing their reading skills. The UFLI program emphasizes the importance of explicit and systematic instruction, which has been shown to be effective in helping students develop strong reading skills. 

To further encourage a love of reading and increase book sign-outs, our school has introduced a reading bingo competition in our Learning Commons. The reading bingo competition is a fun and engaging way to motivate students to read more and explore different genres and types of books. By providing a fun and interactive way to engage with books, we are helping our students to develop a lifelong love of reading. 

Improving literacy for our students is a priority at our school. These initiatives are helping to create a positive and engaging learning environment where students can thrive and achieve their full potential. By continuing to invest in innovative literacy programs and activities, we are ensuring that our students have the opportunity to succeed both in school and in life.