At Rural Point, 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 to determine the instructional resources they need to ensure optimal growth through a variety of instructional opportunities. While our literacy instruction is based on students’ needs, all instruction encompasses the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) and Hanover County expectations.
Lisa Kephart
Literacy Specialist
Mrs. Kephart works with students, teachers, and families at Rural Point to help students achieve literacy goals and discover the joy of reading and writing. In addition to working with small groups of students, Mrs. Kephart 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 our learning objectives or need additional support, Mrs. Kephart (and other interventionists) provides supplementary instruction to best meet the needs of our students. Below are some of the intervention options available at Rural Point:
Fountas and Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI)
Fountas and Pinnell intervention provides supplemental reading instruction in a small group setting. The books we use in LLI are high interest, engaging, and of a variety of genres. During LLI lessons, students read new and familiar texts, work with words, and participate in writing activities.
Literacy Groups through SOL Tutors
All of our SOL tutors are former elementary school classroom teachers. They work alongside reading specialists to provide supplemental instruction for students two to four days a week. Their 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.