The Enhanced Core Reading Instruction (ECRI) program is now being introduced to second graders at Homeville and Clara Barton Elementaries! This program has already shown great success in helping young learners improve their reading skills, and starting next school year, second-grade students will benefit from this proven approach.
ECRI is a multi-level program created to improve reading instruction in the early grades, especially for students who may struggle with reading. It provides teachers with a set of strategies and routines that help make reading lessons more effective and efficient. The program focuses on teaching the key skills needed to read, presenting them in a clear, developmentally appropriate format that is easy for young learners to understand.
“ECRI has been a wonderful addition to our Reading curriculum,” explains Kelly Hilligsberg kindergarten teacher and ECRI Lead for Homeville. “Since ECRI is taught five days per week, the repetition has proven itself and has produced excellent results.”
Currently, kindergarten and first-grade students have benefited from ECRI, and we are excited to expand this program to second grade. This structured reading instruction format ensures that all students receive high-quality support for their reading development.
The ECRI program enhances core reading instruction by using proven teaching routines that focus on essential reading skills such as phonemic awareness, phonics, word reading, fluency, and comprehension. These routines provide students with the support they need to develop strong reading abilities.
Students are regularly screened and monitored, so teachers can track progress and adjust the level of support based on each student's needs. This ensures that every child receives the right amount of help to master the skills necessary for reading success.
Supporting At-Risk Readers
The ECRI program is particularly beneficial for at-risk readers, those who may be struggling to keep up with their peers. Through core-aligned small group instruction, students receive more personalized attention and targeted support. By working in small groups, teachers can focus on each child's specific needs and help them improve in areas like phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.
This tailored approach not only helps struggling readers catch up but also boosts their confidence and motivation by giving them the extra support they need to succeed.
Key Features of the ECRI Program
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Focus Areas: ECRI focuses on foundational skills like phonemic awareness, phonics, word reading, fluency, and comprehension.
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Intensification: In addition to the ECRI lessons in the core, there is an additional intensification layer for Tier 3 offered through interventionists. These intensification layers offer a deeper opportunity for students to grow at their exact skill level. The intensification lessons support the core reading curriculum and ECRI lessons, however they are specialized for those students requiring even more systemic instruction.
With the introduction of ECRI to second grade, we are excited to offer a structured, research-backed approach to reading that will continue to build on the strong foundation already established in kindergarten and first grade. ECRI not only enhances classroom instruction but also provides targeted support for students who need it most. This program will help ensure that all students develop the strong reading skills they need for academic success.
We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this program on our second-grade students' reading abilities and overall academic growth!