Ms. Debbie's

Technology Lab

The primary focus of Northside's literacy lab is to support classroom instruction by providing additional leveled practice in reading and math.  We utilize two software programs to achieve this goal.

Read Naturally

The reading software we use is a product called Read Naturally. Read Naturally combines three research-proven strategies to develop reading fluency.  Students read along while listening to an appropriately paced recording of a high-interest non-fiction story.  The students then practice reading the story until they can read it at a predetermined goal rate.  The computer monitors their reading rate before and after practicing so the student is provided with proof of their progress.  The student also answers comprehension questions focusing on the identification of the main idea of the story, the ability to recall facts from the story, vocabulary development, the ability to infer using facts from the story and summarizing skills.  Northside has been using Read Naturally since 2002 and it has proven to be a very successful confidence and skill building program.

SuccessMaker

The math software we use is a product of Pearson Digital Learning called SuccessMaker.  Northside uses the Math Concepts and Skills course of the SuccessMaker family.  Math Concepts and Skills is a knowledge-based interactive multimedia course designed to develop and maintain mathematics skills.  In Math Concepts and Skills, students practice and gain concepts through a mix of exercises appropriate to their math skill level.  Most third through fifth grade students use this program for up to 20 minutes each day.  Northside has noticed a marked increase in the number of students achieving advanced and proficient scores on the annual MAP testing and a marked decrease in the number of students receiving a non-proficient score.