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Tula Reads With First Grade!
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R.E.A.D. Reading Effectively with the Assistance of Dogs Over the past five years, we have developed, implemented and revised the R.E.A.D. program in our classroom. Several years ago, we read an article pertaining to therapy dogs, saw the benefits and thought we could develop a program similar but focusing on student achievement. When the program is in full swing, Tula (our class dog, once a Canine Companion guide dog in training) will visit our classroom once a week to read with the children. This allows time for the students to learn new letters, sight words, strategies, vocabulary words and have several familiar leveled books to share with her. Tula comes from CCA and she sometimes brings some of her Canine Companion puppy friends along to listen to the children read. Through development and implementation of this program we have learned much about our teaching. This program has taught us that some students need more than just our love and expertise. This is the kind of experience that helps students build self-esteem when they accomplish something important, conquer challenges, and feel their skills increasing. The R.E.A.D. dogs can help support these things in situations where other people, even well-trained, very loving people somehow can’t achieve. We have provided an opportunity for that breakthrough to happen so we can continue offering building blocks to the learning process.
Mrs. Parker's First Grade Paradise
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