September 14, 2011
09/15/11 Students at Lincoln Junior High have been learning how to navigate through material that is part of Achieve 3000 since August 25. On Monday night, the students were able to show their parents and others how the program works and showcase their progress.
Using Achieve 3000, the 270 or so students at LJH access an email that directs them to an appropriately leveled nonfiction current events article. The articles are geared towards real-world topics.
The topics are chosen to conform to the reading levels of each individual student after taking assessment tests. The assessments will be ongoing, so that as academic progress is made, the material can be generated at the new level.
After reading an article, the students complete a short, formative assessment in which each question is aligned to the state standards. The program also allows teachers to monitor comprehension and vocabulary mastery. To reinforce the learning, students build critical cognitive skills by writing responses to open-ended questions and writing responses.
Each student at LJH was given a laptop computer to use throughout the year both during school hours and at home.
To start, the program is being used in the science, language arts, and social studies classes two times each week. Not only is the program available during the regular five-day school week, but also any time seven days a week.
During the Achieve 3000 family night, four students received door prizes. According to Principal Dan Funston, the idea of winning prizes all throughout the year helps to keep students interested and motivated.
Left to Right:
Natasha Craft, Courtney Bradley, Gualdina Pacheco, and Garrett Garver.
The winner of the competition was Garrett Garver.
Carol Anders Correspondent