Fairfield Panther Paw

Dear Families,

We're excited to share our instructional approach to reading for this year!

Starting mid October, our students will begin our flexible grouping approach to reading instruction called the “Panther Power Hour”.

What is the Panther Power Hour?

Panther Power Hour is a specially designed program that lets us give your child exactly the kind of reading instruction they need. Instead of all students in a class getting the same lesson, they will be placed in small groups with other students who are working on similar skills. The instructional block is set up for one hour 3 days a week (3rd and 4th grade) or 30 minutes 3 days a week (1st and 2nd grade) where students will get exactly what they need with literacy.

Your child will walk to another classroom to work with a teacher or teaching assistant who specializes in those specific skills. This helps us ensure that every student gets the most effective support possible, whether they need extra help, are on track, or are ready for a new challenge.

• If your child needs extra support, they will work in a smaller group to build their skills and confidence. This may be focused on foundational reading skills that your student may struggle with.

• If your child is on or above grade level, they will get targeted lessons to help them progress even faster. These lessons will focus on things like reading fluently, understanding what they read, and fun enrichment activities.

As a result, your child may work with a different teacher or teaching assistant during this time period. We believe that this provides a more personalized and effective way to help your child grow as a reader, build their confidence, and truly love reading.

Thank you so much for your partnership as we continue to find new ways to help your children succeed. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or a school administrator.