Hartland School's Reading Recovery program featured at Michigan Reading Recovery Conference

Andrea Boulanger, Reading Recovery teacher for Hartland Schools, has been selected as the GISD Reading Recovery teacher representative for the "Literacy Walk" display at the Reading Recovery Council of Michigan's statewide conference. 

Boulanger has been a Reading Recovery teacher in the district for 9 years and has taught the Reading Recovery program to students at Creekside, Round and Lakes Elementary schools.  Reading Recovery is the highly successful first grade intervention program that provides an individualized learning approach for struggling readers and writers.  

In recognition of the Literacy Walk honor, a professional poster has been designed featuring one of Ms. Boulanger's former Reading Recovery students.  

Joshua Turcotte, a fifth grade student at Farms Intermediate School was selected and the poster will be on display at the November conference in Troy, Michigan.  

The poster is a collection of photos and comments  from Joshua, and his teachers, and parents, reflecting the positive impact that Reading Recovery has made in the life of one child.  

Comments for the GISD Reading Recovery Literacy Walk Poster to be displayed at the Reading Recovery Council of Michigan Institute: 

• Administration Comments:  “The Reading Recovery program in and of itself is, I believe, vital to the future success of many of our students.” 

• First Grade Teacher Comments: “As a first grade teacher you wish all of your struggling readers had this level of intervention.  The evidence before my eyes is that this program not only works but allows students to catch up quickly. This happened not once but several times before Josh went on to exit first grade above the expected reading level.  Reading Recovery gave Josh the gift of reading, and is without a doubt the most powerful intervention.  

• Current Classroom Teacher Comments: "Josh is a hard worker and wants to do well.  He is engaged in reading the Michigan Chillers series.  He is able to make comparisons, predictions and envision text while reading.  In addition, Joshua's writing includes lots of details, effective leads, correct punctuation and paragraphing. He seems very passionate with his writing." 

• Parents Comments: “I am so grateful for my son to have had this opportunity to be a part of such an amazing program. At first when Joshua was recommended to be in the Reading Recovery program in first grade, we were very sad and worried that our son was struggling in school, and we  were concerned he would be fall even more behind by being pulled out of the regular classroom. After just a few short weeks, we were very excited watching our son grow in his reading and confidence.  Given this opportunity, Joshua not only excelled in reading he learned to love reading!  Today Joshua becomes more confident with each passing school year, and we know that is a result of the tools he took with him from his Reading Recovery experience.  

• Student Comments:  When I was in first grade, I remember having a hard time reading. I remember feeling embarrassed that the other kids could read and I had a hard time.  When I started going to Reading Recovery it didn’t seem so hard. I was excited to go back to class and sit at the reading table and be a part of the group. I wasn’t embarrassed anymore because I knew I could read like my classmates.  I felt proud that I didn’t need to ask for so much help anymore. I am happy that I got to be a part of Reading Recovery.