Episode Details
Back to Episodes
Finding Kindergarten Reading Success with Out of This World Program
Description
It is a unique program that is helping students achieve huge success in reaching their reading goals, and students and teachers alike are having a blast in the process.
On this episode of the Supercast, we take you to Riverton Elementary School where kindergarten students and teachers are dressed as astronauts to celebrate their incredible accomplishments in a Districtwide initiative called “Planet Kindergarten.” The space-themed program is helping students reach for the stars in achieving their literacy goals and we’re about to hear from some of the amazing educators behind it all.
Audio Transcription
[MUSIC PLAYING]Michelle Lovell:
Planet Kindergarten is a movement that we've started in Jordan School District where teachers are working to have their kindergartners know all of their letters and sounds by the 1st of November. I love the sense of community that has come from this school and just getting everyone involved in the success of these youngest learners.
Anthony Godfrey:
Hello, and welcome to The Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. It is a unique program that is helping students achieve huge success in reaching their reading goals, and students and teachers alike are having a blast in the process. On this episode of The Supercast, we take you to Riverton Elementary School, where kindergarten students and teachers are dressed as astronauts to celebrate their incredible accomplishments in a districtwide initiative called Planet Kindergarten. The space-themed program is helping students reach for the stars in achieving their literacy goals, and we're about to hear from some of the amazing educators behind it all.
Anthony Godfrey:
We're talking now with two of our literacy gurus in the District. Introduce yourselves and tell us why we're here today.
Michelle Lovell:
I'm Michelle Lovell. I'm the literacy consultant for Jordan School District for grades K through 6.
Lori McCarty:
And I'm Lori McCarty, a literacy specialist, specifically for kindergarten.
Anthony Godfrey:
And we are here for Planet Kindergarten. Tell us about what Planet Kindergarten means.
Michelle Lovell:
Planet Kindergarten is a movement that we've started in Jordan School District, where teachers are working to have their kindergartners know all of their letters and sounds by the 1st of November.
Anthony Godfrey:
And this has made a huge impact. We've seen big increases in literacy among kindergarten students, specifically for years running. We have had our best scores ever, year over year and this is a big part of that. Tell us about some of the success we've seen lately.
Michelle Lovell:
Well, so last year, we had three kindergarten teachers who made that goal, and we were so proud of them. But this year, we're happy to report we have 13 teachers who have made the 100% goal.
Anthony Godfrey:
And that's every student in their class, regardless of where they started out--
Michelle Lovell:
Exactly.
Anthony Godfrey:
--and every letter and sound by the 1st of November.
Michelle Lovell:
And we have over 25 teachers who are in the 90% range. So huge amount of growth from last year to this year. It's been really exciting to watch the data come in.
Anthony Godfrey:
And that's out of how many kindergarten teachers total?
Lori McCarty:
140-ish.
Anthony Godfrey:
So that's a whole lot of kindergarten students that are reading better than ever.
Michelle Lovell:
Exactly. Exactly.
Anthony Godfrey:
Now, there are some students who may come to kindergarten already knowing letters and sounds. Talk to us about what we do to help make sure that we're meeting their needs as well.
Lori McCarty:
So in Jo