by Rebecca Sneed
HLGU received a grant from the Riedel Foundation for phase three of a reading research program called Dig into Reading.
This program, led by Dr. Julie Jackson Albee, a professor of education at HLGU, provides summer reading materials to struggling first, second, and third grade students in all five Hannibal elementary schools.
“Research shows that a significant amount of reading loss happens during the summer months,” said Albee. “Through this project we are trying to bridge that gap. After data is collected, our desire is to share at conferences the copyright-free, research-based materials for summer reading packets to expand their use in districts across the U.S. at a minimal cost.”
The program began in 2014 when baseline data was collected. In 2015, 100 Dig into Reading packets were passed out to students between kindergarten and first grade. Then in 2016 during phase two of the program, 200 packets were passed out to students going into first grade and second grade. Next summer, 300 packets will be passed out to students going into first, second, and third grade. The packets are sent home in May and returned to school in August to be reused the following year.
The packets include books for independent reading and parent read alouds, sight word games, web links to literacy information, and other items to encourage research-based reading comprehension strategies.
The materials were developed by HLGU Professors Julie Jackson Albee, PhD; Jill Arnold, EdD; Larinee Dennis, PhD; and Melanie Smith, EdS, along with reading and classroom teachers from Hannibal Elementary Schools including Linda Stone, J’Lynne Mundle, Kathryn Hill, Debbie Jameson, and Andrea Barnes.
Financial contributors to the program and those who donated items and time include the Riedel Foundation, HLGU, Pat Suttles, FACT, HLGU’s Campus Community Connectors, and other volunteers.
For more information on the Dig into Reading program, contact Dr. Albee at 573-629-3105, or via email at jalbee@hlg.edu.