Home | Carnegie Learning
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
Back to BlogThis Reading Interventionist Knows Success Is Its Own Reward

This Reading Interventionist Knows Success Is Its Own Reward

K-4 graders at Farmingdale Elementary School in Illinois build literacy, confidence, and pride with Fast ForWord.

Missy Coffey loves using the Fast ForWord program. When Missy Coffey started working as a reading interventionist at Farmingdale Elementary School in Pleasant Plains, Illinois, in 2019, she had never heard of Fast ForWord®.

But her school had been using the adaptive language and literacy program for more than 20 years, so she dove right in and is thrilled with the reading gains she’s seeing every day.  

Fast ForWord is a confidence-builder. 

Ms. Coffey oversees every kindergartener as they work in Fast ForWord for 30 minutes a day. She also works with students in grades one through four who need some extra help with their reading skills, also for 30 minutes a day.

“My teaching goals have always been to see every student succeed, gain confidence, and recognize their achievements,” says Ms. Coffey. “And Fast ForWord plays a big role in making this happen. The program is fun and engaging, and students look forward to coming to class every day.” 

Ms. Coffey also says that she finds the robust data reporting helpful for giving each student the targeted help they need.

“I love that I can go in-depth on how a student is doing with the program,” she says. “It helps not only me but classroom teachers as well. At our monthly meetings, I can show them the printout for each student, and we can discuss how to address any issues they may have.”

Incentivizing student reading success 

While Ms. Coffey’s students enjoy the game-like environment of Fast ForWord, she adds some incentives of her own for extra motivation. 

“Since everyone in kindergarten has to participate, I set a challenge with all four classes competing with each other,” Ms. Coffey explains. “Each week, a trophy goes to the class with the most completion certificates. As the year goes on, the trophy moves from class to class, and at the end of the year, the classroom that had the trophy the longest gets an ice cream party. It is so lovely to see how hard they work to stay competitive!”  

The bigger kids get in on the fun too. 

“Two days a week, I set a specific goal for each grade based on what they need to work on,” explains Coffey, “And if they reach the goal, each student receives a sticker for their Chromebook or water bottle.” Missy Coffey motivates her students to use Fast ForWord.

And the incentives don’t stop there.

“We call Fridays ‘FRIYAYS!’ in my classroom,” Ms. Coffey explains. “I turn the lights off, spin the disco ball, and four students get to sit in special chairs for the work session. But the real kicker is the three-tiered cart I push around at the end of class. Students who get a level completion certificate can pick a prize. I have fidgets, sports necklaces, squishes, slap bracelets, slime, stickers, mini stuffed animals, fun pens and pencils, erasers, and so on.”

No wonder kids love coming to Ms. Coffey’s class. 

Amazing Fast ForWord streaks  

So, is all the hard work and gift-giving paying off? 

In a word, yes!

“I had 16 students join Mr. Tom’s 100 in-a-Row Club this year,” Ms. Coffey beams, referring to the club that celebrates students who get 100+ correct answers in a row on any Fast ForWord exercise. “Two students had 200+ streaks in a row, and I have some kindergarteners who are already in the Elements level, which is really advanced for their age.” 

“I think Fast ForWord is an amazing program for students, and it keeps me motivated, too,” says Ms. Coffey. “When students who didn’t like to read are suddenly picking up chapter books and reading on their own. Well, that’s just the best.” 

 
Read More About Fast ForWord Success 

Author

  • Emily Anderson, PhD
  • Content Marketing Specialist
  • Carnegie Learning, Inc.

Before joining Carnegie Learning’s marketing team in 2021, Emily Anderson spent 16 years teaching middle school, high school, and college English in classrooms throughout Virginia, Pennsylvania, California, and Minnesota. During these years, Emily developed a passion for designing exciting, relatable curricula and developing transformative teaching strategies. She holds master's degrees in English and Women’s Studies and a doctorate in American literature and lives for those classroom moments when students learn something that will forever change them. She loves helping amazing teachers achieve more of these moments in their classrooms.

Explore more related to this author

You May Like

Is This the Best German Textbook? This Teacher Thinks So.
Kelly Denzler
How ClearLanguages Solutions Boost Listening Comprehension
Kelly Denzler
MATHia’s APLSE Report: Your Summative Assessment Crystal Ball
Karen Sloan
Can You Really “Teach” Language Listening Comprehension?
Kelly Denzler
Quiz: What Kind of School Administrator Are You?
Kelly Denzler
Low-Prep Winter Math Worksheets
Karen Sloan
  • June 09, 2023

I think Fast ForWord is an amazing program for students, and it keeps me motivated, too.

Missy Coffey, Reading Interventioist, Farmingdale Elementary School

Filed Under

  • English Language Arts
  • Carnegie Learning
  • LONG + LIVE + TEACHING

Tags

  • Fast ForWord
  • Literacy
  • Success Spotlight
  • Success Story
  • Teacher Spotlight

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Carnegie Learning, Inc.

4 Smithfield Street, Floor 8
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
  • P: 888.851.7094

© 2014-2024 Carnegie Learning, Inc.

Home | Carnegie Learning Close
  • Home
  • Solutions
    • ClearMath Solutions
    • Elementary Math Solution (K-5)
    • Middle School Math Solution (6-8)
    • High School Math Solution (9-12)
    • MATHia Adventure (K-5)
    • MATHia (6-12)
    • MATHstream (6-12)
    • ClearLiteracy Solutions
    • Lenses on Literature (6-12)
    • Mirrors & Windows (6-12)
    • Fast ForWord (K-12)
    • ClearFluency (K-12)
    • ClearLanguages Solutions
    • ¡Qué chévere!: Spanish (6-12)
    • En voz alta: Español para hispanohablantes (6-12)
    • T’es branché?: French (6-12)
    • Deutsch So Aktuell: German (6-12)
    • Zhēn Bàng!: Chinese (6-12)
    • Amici d'Italia: Italian (6-12)
    • Symtalk (K-5)
    • Exploring (6-8)
    • World Language Immersion (6-12)
    • Services
    • Professional Learning Services
    • Patterns Professional Learning
    • Instructional Services
    • District Impact Services
  • Our Difference
    • Research
    • Case Studies
  • Company
    • Careers
    • Events & Webinars
    • Press Room
    • Blog
    • Communities
    • Year One Podcast
  • Let's Talk
  • Blog Listings
  • Sample Center
  • Help Center
  • Customer Sign-in