Hamilton School is proud to have one of the few elementary reading centers in the city.
The VSC has been designed and furnished by the New Century Educational Corporation. It has as its main objective — to provide comprehensive instruction in all reading skills with the aid of positive reinforcement.
The main components of this center are individual carrels (booths), Audio Frame Systems (cassette players), headsets, cassette lessons, answer sheets and books. Special “Write and See” markers are used to reveal answers immediately on invisibly treated inked answer sheets. When a pupil lightly strokes an answer sheet “striped” answer spaces indicate correct responses and “darkened” answer spaces indicated wrong responses.
After being tested eligible pupils are placed in a core program. Each pupil works at his/her own pace on prescribed lessons. There are additional enrichment programs also. These programs provide historical-biographical information People Who Made America Great, interesting stories Reading Sampler, study skills Study Skill Builder, grammar Basic College English, spelling exercises SpellBinder and books to read with comprehension questions Read On!
Our pupils have adjusted very well to the materials and routine of the center. We service 170 pupils from grades 4-8, during 45 minute periods daily. Their selection for the center is based on the Guidelines for The Reading Improvement Team. They work very diligently to earn points which entitle them to free activity periods, certificates and pictures of themselves to display at school and to take home.
There is no pressure placed on the pupils to do a certain amount of work “like the other pupils” or “by a certain time.” Each pupil is encouraged to do his/her best work at all times. The pupils are monitored by trained teachers and aides to give assurance that the pupils are working well with a minimum of problems. lessons are adjusted to meet individual needs.
To get the home involved the pupils are given homework “On your Own” which is to be signed by the parent when completed by the pupil. Many parents have visited the center.
We are pleased with the enthusiasm of our pupils and staff. This center is truly an asset to the Hamilton School.
Original photograph caption
A pupil pictured in the Verbal Skills Center feature. The Paper, April 1978, page 4. Pupil and photographer not identified.
Originally published in The Paper, April 1978.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1978_04.pdf, printed page(s) 4, 5; PDF page(s) 4, 5.
