Roaring Brook Students & Staff Share Grammar and Phonics Instruction

On October 24, 2023, the Board of Education and District Administrators had the opportunity to learn about phonics instruction from students and staff at Roaring Brook Elementary School. Principal Tonya Wilson and Assistant Principal Ross Cooper were joined by fourth grade teacher Andrea Dorio, reading specialist Stacey Fragin, and a group of fourth grade students for this presentation.

Principal Wilson introduced their presentation titled, “Using Benchmark Phonics to Enable Students to Become Powerful Readers and Writers.” She explained that their grammar and phonics instruction aligns to our District goals around rethinking curriculum and academic growth. Mrs. Wilson also highlighted the robust literacy programs in our elementary schools, including Units of Study in Reading and Writing, Phonics First, Benchmark Phonics and Grammar, and Handwriting Without Tears. “Used together, the modules connect through topics and skills to provide a powerful, cohesive framework for integrated reading, writing, listening, and speaking instruction,” Principal Wilson shared. (continued below)

The Board and District Administration were then invited to join the students in engaging learning routines to demonstrate components of the Benchmark phonics and word study instruction. These activities focused on building automaticity, sorting words, and extending their learning and creating connections.

Students then took the lead in presenting their learning to the Board. They were energetic, thoughtful, and detailed in their explanations and teachings. They excitedly shared how these activities impacted their learning and ability to make meaning and connections to reading and writing through phonics instruction.

Thank you to our Roaring Brook staff and students for sharing this opportunity with our Board and community.