Reading Programs Expand in Ames

By Kathy Hanson

Ames Community Schools

“Crackers and crumbs, crackers and crumbs, these are my fingers, these are my thumbs.”

The voices chiming in Conference Room A of the Ames Community School District’s administrative headquarters last week weren’t those of young students. Singing the jingle on their feet, complete with actions, were seasoned teachers, led in resonant tones by a dignified Iowa State University School of Education professor, Dr. Donald Bear.

Bear said in order to take reading instruction seriously, sometimes you need to have fun. He used the song to demonstrate an engaging way to increase young readers’ phonological and phonemic awareness.

The training, for teacher mentors who will be supervising tutors in after school reading programs, is a step toward meeting the Ames Community School District’s goal to ensure all students read at grade level by the time they leave third grade.

Director of Alternative Learning Programs Yonas Michael said with partnerships like the one with ISU and with Ames Reads, Raising Readers in Story County, and the Story County Community Foundation, the District’s after school reading programs are expanding and “getting better and better.”

“We started with Sawyer School, and based on the needs at each school, we’re adding programs at the rate of about a site per semester,” Michael said. “For now, the programs are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our ultimate goal is to offer them every day and provide transportation.”

 Michael said principals and teacher mentors invite students to participate in the after school programs based on students’ needs for additional instruction and other factors that may be unique to each student or building. Currently, there’s room for about 25 students in each school. As the program expands, it will include, besides reading, more Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) enrichment, and integrative creative and fine arts activities.

 “The program offers quality interventions by trained tutors supervised by teacher mentors who also have additional training, like the training Dr. Bear offered,” Michael said.

Michael said Bear also provided additional training to the program’s volunteer tutors, who are select high school students, ISU education students, retired educators and other community members.

Meeker Elementary School launches its program on Tuesday, Jan. 22, spotlighting the work of the District’s partners and made possible in part by a competitive grant from the Story County Community Foundation garnering $5,800.

“When it comes to helping students be successful in reading, the old adage is true that there aren’t enough hours in the day,” Michael said. “Our after school programs are providing students the extra time and attention they need to get on the right path for a lifetime of learning.”