Our goal in language arts is to increase students’ passion for reading while continuing to develop independent, strategic readers who can think critically when reading a text and interpret and respond orally and in writing to text. We foster a love of reading and writing through authentic literacy experiences for each student. 

Through classroom observations and ongoing assessments, teachers, reading specialists, and administrators can collect information about students’ strengths and areas of growth. This information helps determine needed instructional resources that ensure all students experience optimal growth. While our literacy instruction is based on student needs, all instruction encompasses the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) and Hanover County expectations. 

At Cool Spring, Mrs. O'Dell works with students, teachers, and families to help students achieve literacy goals and discover the joy of reading and writing. In addition to working with small groups of students, Mrs. O'Dell collaborates with teachers and provides resources and ongoing professional development to support and enrich literacy instruction in the classroom. For students who struggle to master the learning objectives and need additional support, Mrs. O'Dell, as well as our other interventionists, provides supplementary instruction that best meets their individual needs. 

Dona O'Dell, Reading Specialist

Reading Programs at CSES

My mission is to ensure all CSES students grow as readers and writers. To accomplish this, my job includes coordinating the school’s reading and writing programs and assessments; providing support to teachers in and out of their classrooms; coordinating reading intervention through the SOL tutorial program; and working collaboratively with the families at CSES to ensure their children’s reading and writing success.

We have implemented the following programs to help support reading intervention at Cool Spring:

• Fountas and Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention

  • This intervention kit provides additional lessons for students at their instructional reading level in a small group setting. The books used in LLI are high interest and engaging and cover a variety of genres. During LLI lessons, students read new and familiar texts, work with words, and participate in writing activities.

• 

  SOL Tutorial Program

  • This program provides supplementary instruction for at-risk students in the areas of reading and math. We recommend students for the program based on their testing data or through teacher recommendations. Instruction may be focused on a specific skill, such as spelling, fluency or writing, or it may include a second dose of guided reading in a small group setting.