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Implementing the PIE program made him an amazing reader and impacted his school work in so many ways because it helped him to comprehend material better in other areas of his school work as well. We truly believe all elementary students should be exposed to the PIE program because whatever we can do as parents or teachers to get our children to read can have a profound effect on their ability to learn. Mike McCaig, 3rd grade parent
It was the day of his yearly check up for a nine year old and he went to the library and chose a book from the biography section of the PIE program. He brought home a book titled “Who Was Marco Polo?” He started reading the book at school and from the moment he walked into the door until we drove to the pediatrician’s office, he did not stop reading unless he wanted to tell me something he thought was interesting from the book. While in the waiting room he continued to read, in the exam room he was still reading until the doctor came into the room. From that day on Max fell in love with reading biographies. Laurie McCiag, 3rd grade parent
The PreK-4 undergraduate students here at Duquesne University have had an amazing opportunity to see the PIE program firsthand. Each semester they walk away excited and motivated, eager to integrate components of the PIE program into their future classrooms. Children of all ages deserve to choose which books and genres they want to read. Allowing the students to respond in various formats and platforms to extend the book just adds to the ownership the students take in their own learning. The collaboration and support among the teachers and the school librarian is simply inspiring and should be a model for every elementary school. We always look forward to our time at Bower Hill and the partnership that has developed.
Danielle M. (Buck) Henzler
Curriculum Center Coordinator
Duquesne University
Danielle M. (Buck) Henzler
Curriculum Center Coordinator
Duquesne University
Thanks for instilling the love of reading and for
inculcating the tenacity to finish a book or project a student has started.
Bill Groomes, 3rd grade parent
Bill Groomes, 3rd grade parent
My son took part in PIE reading during his third grade year. As a teacher and a parent I was very familiar and fond of Accelerated Reader, so I was nervous. As Ryan began his journey in 3rd grade reading, I fell in love with the PIE program.
Ryan, although an excellent reader, always struggled with deeper comprehension. Ryan was typically given a story followed by comprehension questions or an open-ended writing sample. With PIE, Ryan was encouraged to discuss a book he independently read, with his peers, which brought a deeper level of comprehension. Instead of just being asked what happened in his book, he had to explain why it happened and why certain peers would like or not like his book. Ryan began to look at reading in a whole new light. Thinking about why a character did what he/she did or why the author included certain aspects of a story (questions asked to him by his peers), Ryan was forced to broaden his thinking about what he was reading. PIE also encouraged Ryan to read many different genres of books that he may have never tried on his own. Finally, I believe the PIE program strengthened my son’s language skills. His vocabulary, problem solving, prediction making and analysis of text were much stronger at the end of third grade thanks to the PIE program.
When I asked Ryan what he thought I should say about the PIE program he stated, “PIE made all genres equal when it was time to choose a book. You had to give each type of book a chance and not continue to pick what you “thought” was your favorite. “ He also commented, “I liked making connections too. It really helped me on the PSSA tests and it was actually fun. I got way more out of making connections than writing summaries in second grade”.
I am so glad that my son took part in the PIE program. He is truly a better reader because of it.
Sincerely,
Suzie Liebscher
Ryan, although an excellent reader, always struggled with deeper comprehension. Ryan was typically given a story followed by comprehension questions or an open-ended writing sample. With PIE, Ryan was encouraged to discuss a book he independently read, with his peers, which brought a deeper level of comprehension. Instead of just being asked what happened in his book, he had to explain why it happened and why certain peers would like or not like his book. Ryan began to look at reading in a whole new light. Thinking about why a character did what he/she did or why the author included certain aspects of a story (questions asked to him by his peers), Ryan was forced to broaden his thinking about what he was reading. PIE also encouraged Ryan to read many different genres of books that he may have never tried on his own. Finally, I believe the PIE program strengthened my son’s language skills. His vocabulary, problem solving, prediction making and analysis of text were much stronger at the end of third grade thanks to the PIE program.
When I asked Ryan what he thought I should say about the PIE program he stated, “PIE made all genres equal when it was time to choose a book. You had to give each type of book a chance and not continue to pick what you “thought” was your favorite. “ He also commented, “I liked making connections too. It really helped me on the PSSA tests and it was actually fun. I got way more out of making connections than writing summaries in second grade”.
I am so glad that my son took part in the PIE program. He is truly a better reader because of it.
Sincerely,
Suzie Liebscher
Before we came here, my son was used to reading through the AR Program, in which the students take multiple choice exams to test their comprehension after they have read the book. In the AR Program, he was not encouraged to read books of different genre, so he mostly chose fictions and seldomly nonfictions. In the PIE program, he has to try books of various genre, so not only is he exposed to poetry and biographies, he is also learning about the differences between realistic and fantasy fictions. Another thing I like about PIE is that, it gives the students a chance to write a report of their comprehension of the book, in which they can express their understanding in their own words instead of just choosing a letter on the computer. I was reading this report (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/02/09/a-warning-to-college-profs-from-a-high-school-teacher/?print=1) on the article written by the award-winning retired highschool teacher, Kenneth Berstein, given to college professors, warning them of how poorly the students entering college will perform in various skills, one of which being their writing skills. I am glad that my son has this opportunity to do PIE as it improves both his reading AND writing skills.
Renee Ho
Renee Ho
My daughter, Haylee, has benefited greatly this year from PIE. I have to admit when I attended the parent meeting in September about the PIE program given by Mrs Sacco, I had my doubts. I thought it was a lot of extra work and my daughter would regress.
I couldn't have been more wrong. My daughter Haylee has thrived from the PIE program. She is so excited to tell me all about her books that she chooses from the different genres. She gets especially excited when she reads her non-fiction book then is able to create her "big project" for the class.
The program has greatly improved Haylee's reading skills and comprehension. Instead of playing video games in the car when we run errands or drive to her brothers sporting events, Haylee brings her PIE book. As a parent, I can't be happier and more proud of her continued progress.
Thank you
Louise Pollard
I couldn't have been more wrong. My daughter Haylee has thrived from the PIE program. She is so excited to tell me all about her books that she chooses from the different genres. She gets especially excited when she reads her non-fiction book then is able to create her "big project" for the class.
The program has greatly improved Haylee's reading skills and comprehension. Instead of playing video games in the car when we run errands or drive to her brothers sporting events, Haylee brings her PIE book. As a parent, I can't be happier and more proud of her continued progress.
Thank you
Louise Pollard
