Lori Snowden, Literacy Specialist

Urbana Middle School

Welcome to Mrs. Snowden's Reading News! 

The role of the middle school literacy specialist is very similar to the role of the elementary school reading specialist.  I am responsible for monitoring student achievement in Reading and Language Arts, testing students, serving as a resource to students/staff/parents, working with students (individually or in groups), and coordinating reading incentive programs.

The Reading Rocks club will be held during Hawk Time within the school day.  This club is designed to allow students to explore a variety of books and complete fun activities related to them.  For example:

• We may read "The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau and design a new city for the inhabitants of Ember or try to crack the code in the directions for exiting the city.  
• We may read "Becoming Naomi Leon" by Pam Munoz Ryan and complete soap or radish carvings like the ones characters made for a festival. 
• We may read "Phineas Gage" and explore new findings in brain research. 

The Reading Rocks club format allows students to pick books that interest them, have meaningful book discussions, and further extend their understanding of the book through a variety of extension activities.  The goal is to make reading fun!

The UMS Student Ambassadors club will meet primarily during Hawk Time within the school day as well.  The Student Ambassador program was designed to build leadership skills to prevent/stop bullying and provide friendly faces to new students at UMS.  Students who exemplify the UMS code for demonstrating success, ownership, attitude, and respect will be considered to become an ambassador for our school.    See Mrs. Lippy (counselor), Mrs. Pearre, or Mrs. Snowden for more details.

Soar to Success by developing good reading habits!

If you have questions regarding your child's reading placement or need suggestions for books your child may enjoy, please feel free to contact me at lori.snowden@fcps.org or 240-566-9295.