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Show page A2 Tuesday December 31 1998 , Davis County Clipper St. Olafs teachers hooked on phonics When Melinda VV illiams Skiff Wnler The debate BOUNTIFUL rages on Do we teach youngsters to read phonetically or by the whole language system Both sides have their proponents and opponents Recently parents in some Davis and Granite district schools complained about the reading system their children are being taught and that some schools have dropped phonics programs. At Bountiful's St Olals School, teachers have used the same teaching program tor at least 20 years, which Kindergarten Teacher Clara Leachntan describes as an integrated language arts program, containing elements ol whole language and phonics they get an answer wrong, students must go back, figure out what they did, and correct it The students language skills also benefit from the program Kids are not grouped as in other reading programs, said Joyce Acosta, a first grade teacher There's no need for grouping Youngsters who don't pick up the concept immediately are presented a new angle through enrichment activities It's a complicated program and even teachers admit it makes little that sense is until youre trained in it Students begin the program in kindergarten and con- tinue through sixth grade Saunders said she was first exposed to the Open Court System as a student teacher. It didn't make much sense then, she admits, because the teacher she was learn. . needs basic phonics ing from Teachers at the school are thrilled with the results they see. Youngsters often read tw o to lour "Everybody didnt a grade levels beyond then grade The Open LIGHT MY FIRE: E ghfy yt tr old Bountiful R the 400 North Pu'k ri Bout tif J, during M ly rent Walter Willey, escorted by Centerville teen Douglas Espenschied, Court brought the Olympic torch to Program' integrates whole language and phonics But it's much more than a language learning system Youngsters going through the program learn about lile, several St Olal teachers agree Science, current events, history and even math are integrated into the reading program Everybody needs basic phonics to use these word attack skills later in Leachntan life, said For example, a recent lesson in Jane Htpley's fourth grade class was an article on the now extinct duck-billeplatypus. A second lesson dealt with weather. grade They both provide peitinent informlornidtion that can be mation used m teaching science One recent fourth grade lesson told ol the friendship between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, explaining that even though they didn't agree on how government should function, they remained friends A second grade lesson was about Bill Cosby and another story told ol Major d League Baseball Star Roberto Clemente, killed in an airplane have good grasp ol the system But when she came to St Olaf's and training from received Acosta, it tell into place. Now, Saunders cant say enough good about the program Its the best program Ive ever seen It makes more sense than anything. Acosta was first exposed to Open Court through one of her own children. She had trouble helping her child with homework until she learned the system Now, one-on-o- she says its the best In each classroom, block letters of the alphabet range across the blackboard, the same as in class- rooms nationwide. But instead of showing an apple to represent the letter A and a eat to represent the letter C, a cat represents the letter T. No, not for feline, but lor the fhh sound a cat makes when it hisses The system teaches youngsters the sounds various letters make Words which dont lit the rules are called outlaws, and students are taught how to get them out of jail Its the best teaching system ol word attack skills anywhere, Htpley said Right from the start, the kids are able to sound out crash words All these lessons taught-no- t The system isnt a popular one teachers and administra only reading, but something about, other subjects as well tors Htpley speculates it's And, they're often on topics because teachers have to he elementary-agestudents usually trained in the system to teach it dont learn Like the fourth grade and that the teacher has to be more lesson on Leonardo DiVtnct and involved in the teaching process his invention ol the differential than in other reading programs wheel And, because its not understood Each selection has vocabulary its not given a chance. words which the students must Acosta agrees, saying it define, not by memoriation, hut requires the teacher to be teaching by using it in a sentence Second all the tune grade Teacher Ten Saunders said One thing Acosta likes about one father was aniaed to find his Open Court is that it repeats conchild using the word flatterer In so cepts yearly doing, every correctly Even in kindergarten, youngster picks it up eventually, students are taught thinking skills and each day, theres a few more and are encouraged to use their children picking it up Even students who transfer to imaginations and visualization skills St Olaf from public schools do Youngsters begin learning how well Saunders said three new stuto lake dictation in first grade and dents to her classroom caught on begin polishing those to the program within a week ol skills in second grade Htpley said enrolling They pick it up like something is expected from stuganghusters, she said. dents they're expected to learn But students who leave the Workbooks provided by the Open Open Court system for another Court program require students to may some difficulties, experience a provide a complete answer Acosta said I cant imagine yes or no answer is not good teaching another system that doesenough n't prepare them phonetically d BORN TO LATE: f vin Lit r of Provo, dressed in authentic frock coat, sill t at J pi' 1' i sh rt, o fms to h ijn steppi d out of the pages of history d ji u g tr e r ( n u.g of Old Dst rr t V 'logo List June r HELP WITH TRAFFIC CONGESTION: To address the growing concern with traffic problems, Gov Mike Leavitt announad the Legacy Project last summer Under the plan construction of the Western Transportation Corridor will be accelerated 1996 continued from front Murders , fires, schemes , dreams tell story of 96 Daws Couniv. a map the cuuntv ami the names el rinse jiumlme the ceiemonv Octohei alsu saw the dedication md opening ol Vntilope Island Slale Park Visitor Center I he Center draws wsimrs horn mound the world i I note-takin- I he Buuntilul Harvest Celebration of I amilies and Centennial Bull was Octohei al .o The hall k lU.rtd a held - in uj g petlor-manc- e the Goodman family, who were to lose three numbers ol their family in a traeis auto wreck hy latet m the year An early snow slot m tie ir the end ol October, wreaked ha' oc on trees and ttallic and left homes and businesses without power I he month ended in lruecdy when Kavsville resident John Matthew Whicker was murdered while wotkine the inebt desk at the Motel 6 in Woods (boss Motel 6 offered a reward foj information leading to the driest and conviction ol those responsible By police had arrested and Seott Johnson Todd Rettenberger. both lb ol Bountiful, THE MORTGAGE MINUTE VI November was a busy month right from the start It was no surprise that Republicans swept the county in local elections and area voters threw their support to Republicans m most state and national contests as well The only Democrat to win state office was Attorney General Jan Graham That same week, Davis School District Superintendent Richard Kendell announced he was see 1996 pg. A3 4 by ' MICHAEL KINGDOM BACK IN THE SWIM OF THINGS: The new bubble was opened in Novembr, e d b c:ar, allowing residents to get back into the swim a I gh t m b a mo1 tsk od pool hot d-- THE OR 15-YE- Its 51 JEWELRY GIFTS r, til the ease ' Start the new year with a new career Enrol! Mow Diamonds Watches Gift For All Occasions Jewelry Repairs Watch Repairs 170 South Main, Bountiful 295-20-2) Jan, 21, 1997 Jan. 28, 1997 (part-tim- (full-tim- e) e afternoon) amazing how many people who have available credit and cash to get a conventional fixed-rat- e loan rarely consider a loan. Fifteen-yea- r loans were once considered the exclusive domain of the very wealthy, but that is no longer the case, so the question becomes which loan is best for you7 The monthly payment (pnncipal and interest) on a $100,000 loan at 8 34 would be $787 A loan at 8 14 would result in monthly payments of $970, or an extra $ 87 per month The good news is that over the life loan you will end up of a paying $108,600 less in interest. If your budget will accommodate the $970 payment, then the choice may seems obv ious. 30-ye- ar 30-ye- IDEAL FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT $1,000 to $1,500 scholarships available Financial Aid available to those who qualify 6 Call Dawm at or 966-453- Stop by at 273 West 500 South, Bountiful INTERNATIONAL Institute of Hair Design 295-238- 9 273 west 500 south 1 1 LOAN? R This comparison assumes that each loan will be repaid over the full term The average life of a mortgage is only 7 to 10 years, so the interest savings is reduced. A loan has the potential for substantial savings, but only if it works for your longrange plans. For questions on all aspects of mortgage and sound financial advice, call the professionals at Academy Mortgage 801-299-90- 35 Working to do more than you expect. AVMORTGAGE |