Through a master computer called the Scholastic Managing Suite, teachers get instant reports on their students' progress in reading, pronunciation, comprehension and spelling. The CDs help you. But Read 180 is not just about computers. There are several elements that make it effective, educators say. In each class, Agrafojo concentrates on a different concept and weaves it into her daily lesson plan.
Students start the day with journal writing.
Then Agrafojo reads a bit of a Harry Potter book before dividing her class into three groups. One works on the computers. Another heads to the independent-reading nook to learn about earthquakes, pirates, music and fashion. And the third group gathers around a table with Agrafojo, scanning passages of The Giver for physical inferences. Corey said he liked the small class too.