Anson Elementary School kindergarten student Ma Aye using the Lexia Core 5 Reading program at the school recently.
The Lexia Core 5 Reading program is in year three of implementation in the Marshalltown Community School District in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. Lexia is an online personalized learning experience in six areas of reading instruction.
“It’s given us really good information about which kids need more support in phonics, phonemic awareness, reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary,” said Marshalltown Schools Director of Instruction Dr. Lisa Stevenson.
Students are tested in the fall and the results from that test give each student a recommended time usage goal to hit each week. While that is the goal in Marshalltown classrooms, often times other instruction and activities can get in the way of reaching 100 percent weekly usage.
Class recognition
An Anson Elementary School kindergarten class taught by Jessica Althaus recently was honored by Lexia for reaching 100 percent usage rates for a two-week time span of the contest.
“My students typically get their usage completed each week, so I thought it would be fun to enter the contest,” Althaus said. “I have tried motivating my students to complete their Lexia usage goal by having our own classroom contests each week with a special reward, such as eating lunch with a teacher. Having our weekly contests has helped motivate students.”
Dr. Stevenson said she is encouraged that Lexia can also be utilized for learning outside of the normal school day, including during tutoring time and summer school.
“That gives students an opportunity to catch up,” Stevenson said.
Anson kindergartner Quardell Kelly, left, talks with his teacher Jessica Althaus as he uses the Lexia Core 5 Reading program, Also pictured at right is student Jasmin Castro.
