Reading Buddies

Reading Buddies is a one-on-one or small group literacy program for the students who are having learning to read and write. This program promotes reading and writing skills of all the students involved.

The Elementary and the KG Divisions have launched the award-winning program the Reading Buddies. This cross-age reading program is an innovative way for kindergarten and upper-level elementary students to:

·         Improve  reading fluency and writing ability

·         Revisit phonetic skills

·         Develop self-esteem and social skills

·         Enhance self confidence and genuine desire for lifelong learning

·         Provide access to the world of books and knowledge

·         Enhance their love of books and reading.

Grade 4 and 5 students spend a portion of their class time each week preparing for their visits to the KG classes. They select books from the school library of over 100 children's books and prepare strategies to engage their reading buddies, while and after reading each book.

It is rewarding to watch these students connect and build a literacy friendship. At NG, the focus of our curriculum is literacy; hence, our Reading Buddy Program presents opportunities for students to discover the joy of reading.

New Generation International School recognizes the importance of each student developing the sense of pride in their accomplishments, while educators are satisfied with the result of excellence.

EVERYBODY WINS!!

 Quotes from Grade 4 and 5 Students

“It’s something good about people that need help in reading.”

Dalia Ashraf – Qena

“I really liked reading with KG students, because the boy I was reading with was so good in English.”

                                    Mohamed Hamza – Qena

“The children are smart and cute.”

                                    Hassan El Sheikh – Mansoura

“It was really interesting and the children were really clever.”

                                    Mariam Hazem – Mansoura

“The students were shy.”

                                    Hesham and Ahmed Rabee – Mansoura

“The children liked asking questions.”    

                                    Sarah Khaled – Mansoura

“I really enjoyed it.”       

                                    Harah Raafat – Mansoura

“They are geniuses.”

                                    Ramy Amr – Mansoura

“I really like the program because I love children.”

                                    Maya Mohamed - Mansoura

                                   

 

 

Academic Groups

MAP test

NG students grades 2-9, took the MAP test- a computerized academic assessment, in fall 2009 in two subjects: math and language arts. NG usually administers the MAP test in the fall and spring of each academic year to assess instruction and measure academic growth. 

 

Each subject area exam is approximately one hour test on the computer for each child.  The results are available within 48 hours to teachers.

 

Teachers generally want to know two things when looking at test scores: 1) Is my student performing at, above or below the expectation for the grade level (academic performance), and 2) Is my student making progress (academic growth) during the school year? 

 

MAP can answer both questions and this year, NG teachers, in their MAP planning, managed to target, via their lesson planning, the needs of their students based on the MAP.

It is essential to mention though that MAP test scores are different than other standardized testing scores. MAP uses "RIT" scores to place student's achievement into academic RIT groups that correspond roughly to grade levels. 

NG parents will be receiving, at the end of this academic year, their children's RIT scores in each subject area which is a measure of individual achievement. It is essential to understand that as the students take the MAP over a period of time, the RIT scores will also be a measure of academic growth.

 

Just as a doctor has a chart showing the most common height of people at certain age, the chart below shows 'typical' scores for students in grades 2-7 who are tested in the fall and in the spring. For example, an average 5^th grader would get a RIT score of 207 in reading in the fall of the year. That same student would typically score about 212 in the fall of 6^th grade.

Chart of Typical Scores - National Norms

Grade

Reading

Math

 

	Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring
2	178	190	179	191
3	192	200	193	202
4	201	207	203	211
5	208	212	211	219
6	213	217	218	224
7	217	220	225	229

 

To get the best picture of the students' progress, it is better to compare year-to-year growth numbers (i.e. Spring-to-Spring is the best comparison). If your child is above or below grade level performance, it is important to look at the growth numbers for that grade level (we look at the National Norm chart).

 

However, It is important, although sometimes difficult, to understand academic growth, because it is important for students to continue to learn, even if their performance is above grade level.  For students that are below grade level, they may be making significant progress, even if they haven't "caught up" yet.

 

In NG, we are so pleased with the progress of our students. Their scores do reflect the consistency and the high level of professionalism of our faculty. Then again, one cannot ignore the fact that students learn and mature at their own pace .

 

Sawsan Berjawi

NG MAP Coordinator