Welcome to Gemm Learning!
This page explains how the Fast ForWord reading help project with Gemm Learning for Cristo Rey families works. The intention is for this program to be part of the after-school schedule, at least 4 days a week.
The primary contacts are:
- Sheila Driller for Gemm Learning – email sdriller@gemmlearning.com
- Elizabeth Shelley for Cristo Rey – email; eshelley@cristoreybrooklyn.org
Geoffrey Nixon, the owner of Gemm Learning will also be involved.
How It Works
Fast ForWord is an online program that requires internet access, an iPad or laptop and over the ear headphones. Every day the student logs in and sees an assignment – just click on the icons available and complete the timed exercises. For most students, the protocol will be 30 minutes a day.
First session: The first session will be a reading test, used in planning.
Routine: After that, different exercise assignments will appear in the student inbox after log in. Each student will work on a series of exercises at their own pace over 3-4 months. The first program is Elements 1. Most students will do Elements I and II, Foundations II and then a Reading 2 or 3.
Reports: Parents will receive a weekly progress report for their child – read about those reports here.
This page is part of My Gemm, a support site with all kinds of information on Gemm Learning and Fast ForWord. Note, Gemm Learning generally supports families working at home and so a lot of material is to support parents as coaches at home. In this project, the coaching will occur at school. Read more about the first program, Elements 1 here.
Why It Works
Fast ForWord is a reading intervention based on the science of the brain. It starts out using fast-paced, adaptive exercises that exercise processing and other cognitive skills needed for reading and learning success. It uses a number of neuroscience principles to train the brain the learn more efficiently.
Fast ForWord starts with cognitive skills and then moves on to direct reading exercises – including spelling, reading comprehension and thinking while reading.
Read more about Fast ForWord here (on the Gemm Learning website)