On Friday, October 4, 2024, the Punahou Parent Faculty Association (PFA) hosted an engaging Monthly Gathering for families of Junior School students. Titled “Kindergarten – Grade 5 Literacy: A Hands-On Classroom Experience,” the event provided an interactive opportunity for parents and guardians to learn about the K–5 literacy curriculum, with a specific focus on the IMSE (Institute for Multi-Sensory Education) program.
The gathering began at 11:30 a.m. in the President’s Pavilion, where attendees enjoyed a light lunch and connected with fellow members of the Punahou community. School administrators, faculty, deans, and learning support specialists welcomed families and shared insights into the innovative methods being employed to teach literacy to young learners.
For students in kindergarten through grade 3, IMSE’s Orton-Gillingham plus program focuses on breaking down how and why letters and words sound the way they do. By engaging multiple senses, children gain a deeper understanding of the rules of the English language, enabling educators to tailor instruction to each child’s unique learning style.
A standout moment of the event was an interactive session led by second-grade teacher Alan Lum. He introduced attendees to “red words,” which are irregular words that cannot be sounded out phonetically and do not follow an expected pattern. Attendees learned that a multisensory approach is being used in the classroom to teach children these words and parents and guardians had a chance to try it for themselves through visual, auditory, and tactile techniques.
In another engaging activity, John Nagel, the administrative dean for grades 4 and 5, guided participants through an exploration of morphology – the study of how words are formed. He highlighted how these lessons help students understand the structure and foundation of the English language.
Overall, the event was a fantastic success, providing parents and guardians with practical tools and insights to enhance their children’s learning experiences. Participants left feeling inspired and better equipped to nurture literacy development at home.
A recording of the event is available in myPunahou within the PFA Resource Board. You will need your myPunahou log in to access the link.
Resources from the event: