HIGHLIGHTS: SNOW DAY…REACH ALL READERS REVIEW…SHORT PHONICS VIDEOS…NEW WEBSITE FEEDBACK…TDSB DATES TO REMEMBER…SCROLL and CLICK BELOW FOR MORE NEWS...

SNOW DAY

Thank you everyone for working so hard to attend VRP sessions this week.  To those of you who were stuck in laneways or had a street that wasn’t ready for cars – it was very good of you to get in touch with Kristina and fellow volunteers to let them know you were safe but snowed in!  There may still be more snow so remember while VRP and volunteering is important we don’t want anyone to do anything risky.  If it doesn’t feel safe for you to venture out, please just send a quick note so schools can be notified and your reading partner won’t worry about you.

REACH ALL READERS REVIEW

Thank you to Joanne Wolfson (RH McGregor) who is the latest volunteer to weigh in after reading Reach All Readers:  “I found the science associated with learning to read very interesting and it gave me a better insight  to some of the issues/obstacles children who are really struggling with reading might have.  I think what I learned is to accept that some of the children we work with are not ready to read, so instead concentrate on reading comprehension, phonics, syllables etc.  After reading the book I went on VRP’s website and watched some of the YouTube clips (which I should have done before now) and found them very helpful.  They offered lots of practical ideas on how to make learning to read effective and fun.”

There are copies of Reach All Readers available so please email Kristina if you want to be added to the list.

SHORT PHONICS VIDEOS

Huge thanks to Suzanne Martin (Yorkwoods) who was recently reviewing some student projects from the Developmental Language Disorders class at Western and came across some resources that are definitely worth sharing.  These are short video overviews about early reading:

how children learn to decode

when decoding breaks down

Next week we will feature a resource that Suzanne’s cousin prepared on Phonological and Phonemic Awareness Skills.

NEW WEBSITE FEEDBACK

As you know VRP loves to hear from you so please send us your feedback on the new website.  All questions and suggestions are welcome!

TDSB DATES TO REMEMBER

• February 28 to March 2: Tibetan New Year (Losar)

• February 28: Pink Shirt Day

• March Break Mon. March 10-Fri. March 14

• VRP Spring Term Mon. March 17-Fri. May 16