Resource Departments → Reading Programs
MCPS launched the Reading Initiative Program in the fall of 1998. In addition to classroom teachers, additional reading teachers were hired to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in reading blocks to a maximum of 17:1. During the longer instructional period devoted to reading, the children are engaged in reading activities that include shared reading, guided reading, independent reading, word study and read alouds. In addition, children engage in other activities ranging from writing to readers theater to artwork that allow them to respond to the texts they read. Mrs. Friedman teaches one first-grade reading initiative block and Mrs. Bencal teaches a second grade reading initiative block. The goal of this balanced literacy approach to reading is that all students will be reading on grade level by the end of second grade.