PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: MAY GREENE WRITES `RECIPE FOR SUCCESS'

Britnie Jones loves reading and she has computer scores to prove it.

May Greene Elementary School Principal Barbara Kohlfeld says Britnie, a fifth-grader, is an example of the success of the new schoolwide chapter project.

This year May Greene is spending $152,760 in federal money on the project to improve reading and math scores.

Traditionally, the money is used for remedial reading and remedial math classes. A limited number of students are identified by test scores and are taken from their regular classes for 30 minutes of instruction.

Schools where at least 75 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunches can apply to begin a schoolwide three-year project. Each year school personnel test student performance and chart progress.

Kohlfeld said, "We wrote our own recipe for success."

The school has three goals:

-- To implement the accelerated reading program.

-- To raise achievement in math and reading.

-- To improve the school climate.

Britnie has excelled in the accelerated reading Program. The school received a $33,305 incentive grant from the Missouri Education Department to purchase the program. Federal money is being used to implement it.

The program is a reading-enrichment computer program. Students have a collection of books from which to choose. After reading a book, students take a computerized test. The computer scores the test and awards points based on the difficulty of the book and the test score.

As students accumulate points, they receive prizes like a Tootsie Pop, a pencil or a T-shirt.

"It makes you feel great," Britnie said. "It makes you feel like you've really accomplished something."

She initially set her goal for 40 points. After two months, she racked up 107.6 points. Her new yearlong goal is 240 points.

Changes and special projects abound at May Greene.

Grant money was used to hire an additional teacher at the school, resulting in smaller class sizes. Teachers have more time to give each child individual attention, which should help test scores.

Every day, students and staff observe DEAR time, which stands for Drop Everything and Read.

"The key to teaching children to read is for them to read," Kohlfeld said. "Practice makes perfect."

Project Construct teaches math, using hands-on activities. "We hope to teach true understanding, not just mimicking of behavior," said the principal.

Grant money was used for a learning lab for art and other class projects that require more space.

Money was also used to open up the principal's office. Children are often working on projects at a table in Kohlfeld's office.

Students have music and physical-education classes each day. Recesses are limited to one after lunch.

"We have replaced unstructured physical activity, recess, with structured physical activity, gym," Kohlfeld said.

To address behavior the school has started a tribe program. Children from different grades are assigned to tribes, led by a teacher or staff member.

"The No. 1 reason for firing is lack of social skills," Kohlfeld said.

The idea is to force children into different settings with different people.

"They need to know how to transition to other groups and get along," Kohlfeld said.

The shape program is an in-school suspension. "We talk about poor choices and consequences and taking responsibility for our own actions," Kohlfeld said.

May Greene is also a fight-free school.

Fifth-grade teacher Toni Dement thinks the new programs are working. She is especially pleased that children are no longer leaving her class to attend remedial classes. "When students leave class they miss what we are doing. Now they are here," she said.

And she said students seem to like the change.

Britnie agreed: "It's fun. It makes you feel good about school."