Literacy Strategies

Training

• Professional development led by experts increases student achievement.
• Attend literacy workshops whenever possible! Never stop learning!
• Observe teachers with strong literacy backgrounds. Invite them to observe you teach.
• Collaborate! Two heads are better than one

What's Happening Now- Read Aloud

• Most TEACHERS are selecting mentor texts from a provided list.
• Reading aloud is LIMITED to a couple of minutes during a mini-lesson.

Let's Improve!- Read Aloud

• "Facili-manipulate!" You may choose several appropriate books to meet their needs. Allow students to choose.
• Model enthusiastic and fluent reading.
• Aim for a book that is slightly beyond grade level to improve vocabulary and listening comprehension.
• Instill a love for reading

What's Happening Now- Shared Reading

• Unfortunately, this strategy has only been suggested for grades K-1st.
• Very little training was provided.

Let's Improve- Shared Reading!

• This strategy can be utilized for students of all ages!
• Students are observing, and taking part in a text that is being read fluently.
• Takes the pressure off reading alone. It models prediction skills, and allows students to participate in meaningful conversation while making connections with a text.

What's Happening Now- Guided Reading

• Working with students in 10-15 minute increments in an effort to see all students everyday.
• Most teachers have had very little training.
• Students are mostly reading a leveled book and answering questions.

Let's Improve- Guided Reading

• Teachers will attend more training and have multiple opportunities to practice this strategy.
• More time spent with students. Quality vs. Quantity.
• Small group instruction will be data driven.

What's Happening Now- Independent Reading

• Students are only reading independently in the "Read to Self" station.
• 15 minutes of reading at the most.
• Students may only read from "book bag." Leveled books selected by the teacher.

Let's Improve- Independent Reading

• Students should participate in recreational reading during this time.
• A majority of the 90 minute reading block should be spent READING!
• Limit written responses.
• Conversations about what students are reading should be highly encouraged!

What's Happening Now- Word Study

• Students are generally practicing weekly spelling words.
• Station activities are not changed often.

Let's Improve- Word Study

• Could be incorporated as part of guided reading groups to allow more time for independent reading.
• Skills should focus on an area of weakness.

What's Happening Now- Shared Writing

• Students work on a prompt that has been assigned from curriculum coordinator.
• Students are expected to work through the entire writing process by the end of the week.

Let's Improve- Shared Writing

• Teacher and students should work together, much like shared reading.
• Teacher participates and models correct writing.
• There should be no limit on how long it takes a student to work through the entire writing process.