Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
‘Launch Pad’ program helps students with literacy, math
BELLA VISTA — Cooper Elementary School recently started Launch Pad, an afterschool program designed to help students in literacy and math.
Principal Josh Vest said, “We’re trying to expand supports in literacy and math. We’re starting with literacy.”
The program provides an extra 45 minutes of instruction four days a week. Students get a 15-minute break and a snack between the end of the school day and the beginning of Launch Pad. More than 30 students are enrolled in Launch Pad, meeting with staff members in small groups to ensure each student receives attention.
Vest said he does not want the groups to grow larger than four students.
“We are starting with literacy because a student’s ability to read will greatly impact his or her success now and forever,” he said. “We hope to roll in more math support to hit our two main core subjects as the program evolves. Support in small groups allows us to provide targeted, differentiated instruction to kids. Teachers tailor lessons and activities to meet students where they are. That focus on each individual student’s needs is what can help create big impacts in learning.”
Title 1 funding has provided a Tier 3 literacy specialist who works with the students who need the most help in literacy. The school is prioritizing enrollment based on need, and the hope is to expand the program throughout the semester, Vest said.
On a recent day, students were meeting with teachers throughout the building in small groups based on grade level. Elaine Frost and Ashley Clark, both first grade teachers, were among those teaching small groups of students.
Frost said for literacy in first grade, the teachers are focusing on foundational skills, such as making sure students can read simple words and manipulate sounds in their heads. She explained this second skill as thinking about the word “ball” and then changing the “b” to an “m” and making it “mall.” Some students struggle with the concept, she said.
Clark added, “Any gaps we find, we’re trying to fill those so we can build their knowledge.”
In Frost’s classroom, she quizzed two students on a series of different sounds by combining different letters on cards and having them read the cards out loud.
Vest said, “It’s been nice to do something that’s going to have huge impacts for our kids. We will do this for the rest of the year. We’re hoping it’s sustainable and we can do it next year and we can learn what doesn’t work and improve. We’re excited just because we’re looking for creative ways to help kids. It’s good for them socially, too.”
He said he and his staff will track the data for kindergarten through fourth grades to see the direct benefits.
“I’m excited to see what that looks like in a couple of months,” he said.