Success shows at Eveleth-Gilbert

The Eveleth-Gilbert School district is having wonderful success at the elementary level with a process called Response to Intervention (RTI). The process is a collaborative approach with all staff using research based instruction in general education, and with tiers of instruction matched to student need. School-wide screening occurs regularly and continuous monitoring of student progress is ongoing. Our gains over the past 6 months are impressive, and student morale and self esteem are high due to their ownership of success. The dedicated elementary staff works together weekly to plan and coordinate, and once a month they meet for ½ a day with their grade level partners to discuss the process, our goals, our gains, and our next step.

The RTI process consists of numerous activities that meet individual student need. Included in these activities are: • Paired reading • Readers Theater • Compass Learning Odyssey • Stationed activities • SMART activities • Whole group and small group instruction • Challenge activities • Individualized instruction

During the month of February our “I LOVE to READ” activities included an Olympic theme which encouraged all students to READ for the GOLD. At the Franklin Elementary in kindergarten alone the students read over 4400 books at home. The 1st grade read for over 22,000 minutes and grades 2-5 read a total of 3,092 AR points. At the Nelle Shean Elementary the kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades combined read a total of 4110 books, and the 3rd - 6th grades read over 2300 AR points. Our elementary students continue to show us that “readers are leaders.”

We are so proud of our collaboration efforts between parents, teachers and students. All of the hard work and dedication is paying off. The Eveleth-Gilbert mission statement, “Dedicated to quality learning. Challenging the future together,” holds true once again. Thank you to all who make this possible.

Submitted by Lynn Bol.