Literacy Resources

Literacy at GPPS: Empowering Young Readers with Really Great Reading

At Grosse Pointe Public Schools, we are committed to ensuring every student develops a strong foundation in literacy. To support our Young 5s through 3rd-grade learners, we utilize Really Great Reading, a scientifically-based word study program designed to unlock the code of written language.

Why Really Great Reading?

This program focuses on the science of reading, providing students with the explicit, systematic phonics instruction they need to become confident and fluent readers. By moving beyond simple memorization, Really Great Reading helps students understand the "why" and "how" behind word structure.

Key Benefits for Our Students:

• Foundational Skills: Students build mastery in phonemic awareness, letter-sound relationships, and decoding strategies.

• Multisensory Learning: Lessons engage students through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities, making complex concepts accessible and memorable.

• Confidence in Decoding: By giving students the tools to tackle unfamiliar words, we empower them to transition from "learning to read" to "reading to learn."

• Targeted Support: The program’s diagnostic tools allow our educators to identify specific needs and provide tailored instruction for every child.

Through the implementation of Really Great Reading, GPPS is dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of reading and ensuring our youngest learners have the essential skills for academic success.

 

Really Great Reading Family Letters:  Launchpad-Y5, Countdown-Kindergarten, Blast- First Grade, HD Word- Second & Third Grade

 

Literacy at GPPS: Mastering Language with Wordsmith

At Grosse Pointe Public Schools, our commitment to literacy continues as students transition into upper elementary. For our 4th and 5th-grade learners, we utilize Wordsmith (by CR Success), a robust word study program designed to bridge the gap between basic decoding and advanced reading comprehension.

Why Wordsmith?

As reading demands increase, students must move beyond simple phonics to understand the complex structure of the English language. Wordsmith provides a systematic approach to morphology, helping students deconstruct multisyllabic words and understand how meaning is built through origins, roots, and affixes.

Key Benefits for Our Students:

• Advanced Decoding: Students learn to tackle complex, multi-syllabic words with ease, ensuring they can access high-level academic texts.

• Vocabulary Expansion: By studying Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes, students unlock the meaning of thousands of words across science, social studies, and literature.

• Spelling Mastery: The program moves away from rote memorization, teaching students the patterns and rules that govern English spelling.

• Fluency and Comprehension: As word recognition becomes more automatic, students can focus their mental energy on deep comprehension and critical thinking.

Through the implementation of Wordsmith, GPPS ensures that our upper elementary students have the sophisticated linguistic tools necessary for middle school and beyond.

 

Personalized Literacy Growth with Lexia Core5

In the Grosse Pointe Public School System, we understand that every student’s journey to reading proficiency is unique. To support this individualized path, we utilize Lexia® Core5® Reading, an adaptive blended learning program for our elementary students.

What is Lexia Core5?

Lexia is a research-proven technology program that provides all students—from those struggling with foundational skills to those ready for advanced challenges—with a personalized learning experience. By focusing on six areas of reading (phonological awareness, phonics, structural analysis, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension), Lexia ensures a comprehensive approach to literacy.

Why Lexia Works for GPPS Students:

• Adaptive Learning Path: The program automatically adjusts the difficulty level based on student performance, providing immediate corrective feedback and extra practice where it's needed most.

• Data-Driven Instruction: Lexia provides our teachers with real-time data, allowing them to identify specific gaps in a student's understanding and provide targeted, small-group lessons to bridge those gaps.

• Engaging & Independent: Students move through a series of levels at their own pace, earning "badges" and celebrating milestones, which builds confidence and ownership over their learning.

• Seamless Integration: Whether used in the classroom or at home, Lexia complements our core curriculum, ensuring that students have consistent access to high-quality literacy support.

By integrating Lexia Core5 into our literacy resources, GPPS remains dedicated to providing "just-right" instruction that helps every student become a proficient and enthusiastic reader.

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Note for Parents: You can often check your child's progress through their Lexia dashboard to see which "levels" and skills they are currently mastering!

 

 

Young 5s & Kindergarten: The Journey Begins

For our youngest learners, encourage them to practice the sounds and words they know while building confidence and a love of reading.  Look for books with simple patterns, decodable words, and engaging pictures that support early reading skills aligned to the Science of Reading.

• Bob Books by Bobby Lynn Maslen: The classic "first" step for many kids. They focus on letter sounds and short vowels in a very manageable way.

• Elephant & Piggie series by Mo Willems: Perfect for reading together; the dialogue is simple, and the facial expressions help kids "read" the emotions.

• Biscuit series by Alyssa Satin Capucilli: These "My First I Can Read" books use repetition and very simple sentences that are perfect for Y5 and K.

• Pete the Cat: I Can Read! series by James Dean: High-interest stories about a groovy cat that keep kids engaged while they practice Level 1 sight words.

1st & 2nd Grade: Building Confidence

• Mercy Watson by Kate DiCamillo: A hilarious series about a "piggy wonder" that is a perfect first chapter book experience.

• The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale: Action-packed with colorful illustrations on every page to keep the momentum going.

• Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne: Great for building "reading stamina" as the stories get slightly more complex over time.

3rd Grade: The "Branches" Bridge & Beyond

By 3rd grade, many students love the Scholastic Branches line. These books have fast-paced plots and illustrations on every page to support comprehension.

• Dragon Masters by Tracey West: A massive hit for fantasy lovers—it features different dragons and "Dragon Masters" on epic quests.

• Press Start! by Thomas Flintham: Perfect for fans of video games (like Super Mario). It’s bright, colorful, and feels like playing a game.

• Owl Diaries by Rebecca Elliott: Written in a diary format with lots of color, this series is excellent for social-emotional learning and everyday friendship themes.

• The Last Firehawk by Katrina Charman: For students who want a "big kid" fantasy feel (think Lord of the Rings for 8-year-olds) but in a more accessible format.

• Diary of a Pug by Kyla May: A very funny, highly illustrated series for animal lovers.

4th Grade: Mastering Genre & Complexity

By 4th grade, students are often exploring specific genres like fantasy, historical fiction, or humor.

• Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan: A fast-paced introduction to Greek mythology that is nearly impossible to put down.

• Wonder by R.J. Palacio: A modern essential for teaching empathy, kindness, and perspective.

• Front Desk by Kelly Yang: A compelling historical fiction story based on the author's own childhood as an immigrant in America.

• The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier: A "zombie apocalypse" story that is funny, illustrated, and appeals to even the most reluctant readers.

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Quick Tips for "At-Home" Success:

• The 5-Finger Rule: If your child reads a random page and hits 5 words they don't know, the book might be a "frustration" level book. 2-3 words is the "sweet spot" for learning!

• Audiobooks Count: If your child is a struggling reader but loves stories, let them listen to the audiobook while they follow along in the physical book. This is great for building vocabulary and "Wordsmith" skills.

Parent Pro-Tip: Use Your Local Resources:

• Grosse Pointe Public Library Youth Services: The GPPL offers curated "Story Kits" and "STEAM Kits" that include books and activities tailored to these specific age groups.

• NoveList K-8 Plus: Available through the library website, this tool allows you to type in a book your child liked (e.g., Magic Tree House) and it will generate a list of "read-alikes" with similar themes.

 

Readers make plans for Summer Reading