Parish summer program boosts reading skills

Teacher Donna Kipp's face lights up when told that her "Ready, Set, Read!" classroom inside the parish hall of Assumption/St. Paul Church in Mechanicville resembles a one-room schoolhouse.

"I just love the concept!" she says. "By offering classes to multi-age, multi-level students, you really do get the feel of an old-fashioned, one-room school house, complete with older, or more advanced, readers helping the younger, or less advanced, readers."

Now in its second year at the church hall, "Ready, Set, Read!" helps to improve reading skills and attitudes through stories, literacy games and direct instruction in a positive atmosphere.

Lifetime skill

Founded by Mrs. Kipp, an experienced teacher, "Ready, Set, Read!" is based on the philosophy that "the gift of literacy lasts a lifetime."

The concept was sparked four years ago after Mrs. Kipp, who most recently taught at Bishop Maginn High School in Albany, filled in for a Mechanicville kindergarten teacher who was on maternity leave. There, she met Angela Rajeski, a teacher's aide who has since proven to be a gifted reading instructor as well. She and Mrs. Kipp, both of whom are Assumption/St. Paul parishioners, co-facilitate the "Ready, Set, Read!" program.

While working with the kindergarten students in the early '90s, Mrs. Kipp realized the importance of taking what she terms "a holistic approach" to reading -- viewing it as a skill that was needed to make one's overall life more fulfilling.

Without labels

"So often, children start out so eager to learn, but get discouraged by labels with negative connotations," Mrs. Kipp explained. "When I hear a child say: `I'm a poor reader,' it just makes me want to cry. At 'Ready, Set, Read!' there are no labels and no grades, just informal assessments. Once a child's reading confidence has been damaged, it's very hard to recover.

"My philosophy is that all children can read -- and all children deserve to read. In keeping with that philosophy, we strive to maintain a very positive, relaxed, non-threatening, non-competitive atmosphere where reading is enjoyable. The focus here is on progress, not problems."

Many levels

Although students may be having too much fun to realize they are learning, Mrs. Kipp stresses that the acquisition of new skills is most definitely taking place. Indeed, she sees four elements going on at one time: reading, writing, listening and speaking.

"Make no mistake about it: Reading is a skill," she said. "If you can master one level, you can advance to the next and then the next. The job Angela and I share is to get students exited about reading, and we do that through a variety of means."

Those methods include card and board games, and projects -- even several variations of Bingo.

All ages

While the majority of "Ready, Set, Read!" students are children, pupils of all ages are welcome. Current registrants range from just four to a man in his late '20s.

In addition to the summer reading program, Mrs. Kipp offers on-going classes for individuals and groups throughout the year.

"Some who start 'Ready, Set, Read!' this summer might want to continue weekly classes after school starts as an enrichment activity. Arrangements for such tutoring can also be made," added Mrs. Kipp.

(It's not too late to register for "Ready, Set, Read!" classes at Assumption/St. Paul during July and August. The program, one-hour weekly, is open to individuals of kindergarten registration age and up. Adults are welcome. Evening and Saturday classes are run as well as daytime sessions. The $50 monthly fee includes materials. For more information, contact Donna Kipp at 664-5860 or Angela Rajeski at 664-5669.)

(07-03-97) [[In-content Ad]]