Rampant reading
<p>Elijah Glenn, right, listens to his classmate, Katelyn Borley, read from a book during a shared reading session in a first grade class Monday at Prairie View Elementary in Post Falls.</p>
<p>Joseph Gabriel, right, sits under a table in his third-grade classroom Monday as he enjoys a book while his classmate Lauren Hahner reads her book.</p>
POST FALLS - Coralynn Becker loves to read.
But the Prairie View Elementary second-grader also enjoys reading to her classmates because it helps them learn.
Becker is among the school's students who is benefitting from the Daily Five reading program supported by grants from the Post Falls Education Foundation's annual Wine, Stein and Dine fundraiser that helps fund classroom projects.
"It teaches us how to read and you can help teach other people to read if they need help," Becker said. "Just a minute ago, I was reading a book on fossils and, before that, rocks and minerals."
Becker and her classmates were reading either by themselves or to each other - depending on their levels - throughout teacher Amy Rippee's class on Monday.
Daily Five is in its second full year at Prairie View and staff attribute the 1,200-book checkout increase compared to this time last year at its library to the program.
Grants from Wine, Stein and Dine, including two $250 grants last year, have supported the program for the second- and third-grade classes at the school during the first two years.
Another grant is being applied for this year to expand the program to first grade. The school's parent-teacher organization has already funded training those teachers in Seattle this summer.
"We have seen wonderful sustained growth in students' reading abilities that are directly related to this structure for instruction," Principal Colleen Kelsey said. "Kids are reading so much more than they have been in the past that we are having a hard time having enough books for them to select from."
The Daily Five consists of:
* reading to self;
* reading to someone;
* word work;
* listening to reading; and
* writing.
"Students become more responsible and accountable for their behavior," Kelsey said.
While all the students are working independently, Rippee and other teachers can meet with small groups and one-on-one with students who are struggling with specific skills.
Sometimes a fluent reader will be paired with one that isn't as advanced.
"The students learn from hearing what a fluent reader sounds like," Rippee said.
Rippee said Daily Five integrates reading and writing, incorporates a variety of instructional routines that accelerate learning and teaches students to understand and monitor their literacy goals.
Kelsey said the program has also helped reduce learning loss over the summer because students are wanting to read more.
"During the summer, our reading didn't see a dropoff," she said, adding that the Post Falls Library offers a monitored summer reading program.
During the past 14 years, the nonprofit PFEF, through Wine, Stein and Dine, has awarded more than $340,000 in grants for classroom projects such as Daily Five.
Nearly $33,000 was awarded to teachers last year. The event, which will be held on Saturday from 7-10 p.m. at the Greyhound Park and Event Center, generally draws about 600 people.
Tickets - $45 in advance or $60 at the door - are on sale at Washington Trust banks in North Idaho, the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce and Enoteca. You must be at least 21 to attend. The fundraiser includes food and beverages from more than 85 businesses, a silent auction, live entertainment and a wine tree raffle.
A complimentary wine glass or beer stein is given at the door.