Furry Friends Help Readers With Their Confidence

To help build their confidence and enhance their fluency as readers, sixth-graders in Stacy Glover’s classes at Rocky Point Middle School are fine-tuning their literacy skills with the help of a new furry classmate – Eileen, a 6-year-old black Labrador. As part of the building’s Systems 44 and Read180 program, the students will have the chance to practice reading aloud to Eileen twice a month throughout the school year. Working both in small groups and individually, the students will take turns practicing this important skill as part of their participation in the program.

“We are really looking forward to this new initiative, as it is designed to help our students build upon the skills they are learning in the classroom,” said Ms. Glover. “At the secondary level, students don’t often have as much ‘real aloud’ time as they would in the younger grades, yet that is an important skill for them to master. By practicing with a captive audience, such as the dog, they will be able to build presentation confidence and enhance their oral language skills and fluency. We also hope it will build their motivation for reading and help them feel more confident as readers.”

Eileen is certified as a pet therapy dog through the Patchogue Rotary Animal Assisted Therapy organization. During her visits to the classroom, she will be accompanied by dog handler Jo-Ann Goldwasser, who is also a retired teacher.

Photo and information provided by Jennifer Kuefner, Syntax.