A Second Grade Success Story

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A Second Grade Success Story

  • July 11, 2018
  • Posted by: LSEM
  • Category: LSEM News
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— written by Mark Reither, LSEM teacher at Trinity Lutheran School, Clinton Twp, MI —

Early in October, a girl named Marie was diagnosed as Learning Disabled.  She was falling far behind her classmates, puzzled each day by tasks that demanded grade-level reading.  Marie loved school, fought each day to do well, understandably grew to dislike homework, and began to sense she was not able to learn as easily as others.  First grade had been hard enough! With a steep 2nd grade climb in all curricular areas, Marie felt lost.  Efforts to support and engage Marie in developing a foundation for reading were only slightly successful.

A few weeks later second graders Robbie and Joshua began to get support from the LSEM resource room for two hours per week.  Plans were developed to reinforce some reading skills for a group of three. Marie, now participating with two friends, gradually became more motivated, began to enjoy her classmates, and started to sense success.  I discovered that working right outside the room increased excitement for all three students.  They were learning to collaborate as well as work independently.

It’s April and they are still working together well as a group.  Marie, Joshua, and Robbie like the learning activities provided in our LSEM classroom. With positive effort and focus, each should be ready for 3rd grade in September.