New Georgia literacy curriculum promotes emotional and academic development
The challenge
At the start of the 2021 school year, in-person learning was something many young students had never encountered, and something slightly older students hadn't done in many months. The adjustment to a new educational environment created challenges in the classroom. Students were more hesitant to participate in school discussions, had a harder time communicating with peers and delays in reading skills needed to be addressed. The Georgia Family Connection Partnership recognized these struggles as opportunities to integrate new curriculum and provide individualized care to get students back on track.
The solution
It was through the Georgia Family Connection Partnership that Emmaus House Freedom Schools provided an integrated reading curriculum to help pupils adjust. While literacy was an important component of the curriculum, the materials also helped students address the root of these new classroom challenges. The curriculum taught students how to express feelings and grow emotionally. Yoga and meditation provided students with an alternative way of dealing with frustration when faced with academic difficulties. Books promoting emotional maturity were used to help strengthen reading and emotional outcomes. This well-rounded curriculum helped ensure students were mentally and emotionally prepared to participate fully in academic lessons designed to help increase core competencies.
With funding from Coaching for Literacy #Fight4Literacy Game with Georgia Tech presented by International Paper, Georgia Family Connection Partnership was also able to change the structure of their program. Transitioning to smaller site sizes allowed staff members to create a more personalized educational plan for each student. Listening and meeting students in their current academic state was proven to be the most effective method. When testing at the end of the semester determined every student increased their reading levels, the curriculum was deemed a success. Not to mention, students gained skills in interacting with others and addressing their own feelings in ways unknown to them before.
The testimony
Image provided by Get Georgia Reading
Student growth through Freedom Schools’ new curriculum was felt by teachers and families alike. Kwajelin Harris, whose children engaged with the curriculum, is one example.
“Both of my kids enjoyed attending Freedom School. Reading is a weakness for my daughter, and she enjoyed ‘Drop Everything and Read’ time because she wants to get better. My son enjoys being a leader and helping out as an assistant with the kids. Both of my kids have more open conversations at home about Freedom School.”
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