January 2020 - Literacy News You Can Use

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January 2020

Literacy News You Can Use

In this issue...


Resources to Explore

Buchanan-Rivera, Erica. 2019. Edutopia. Shifting Toward Equity: The Educator's Role

Fisher, Douglas, and Nancy Frey. 2012. International Reading Association. Close Reading in Elementary Schools

Learning Forward. 2019. The Learning Professional: The Learning Forward Journal. Coaching.

Student Achievement Partners. 2016-2019. Strategies for Supporting Struggling Readers and Top Posts of 2019.

Education ball

Instructional Practice Guide

IPG

Iowa TLC leaders are working with educators to move districts. One tool coaches are sharing as valuable in their current roles is the Instructional Practice Guide (IPG), which can be used to observe evidence of the Shifts during classroom instruction. This tool is excellent for coaches, teachers, and administrators who are focused on high-quality instruction. Educators can utilize the tool for personal reflection and bring back to colleagues as a springboard for discussion. 

Have you used the Instructional Practice Guide with others in your district? If so, share your experiences in the Spotlight Literacy form.


The Leading Equity Podcast

The Leading Equity Podcast focuses on supporting educators with the tools and resources necessary to ensure equity. Listeners can expect to hear interviews and stories from voices of equity in education today.

Subscribe here: https://www.leadingequitycenter.com/podcast.

#LeadingEquity

Leading Equity Center

Juicy Sentences

ANet

Achievement Network (ANet) is offering a free virtual learning module to learn how to assist English language learners and struggling readers to access grade-level, complex texts. The module features Dr. Lily Wong Fillmore, a pioneer of this powerful strategy.

Click here to access the module. After implementation, it would be wonderful to hear the results. Reach out using the contact information at the bottom of the newsletter.


Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation

Iowa Ag

 

The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation publishes Iowa Ag Today, a student reader aligned to the science and social studies standards and written at the fourth-grade reading level. Educators can download the publications for free, including a version in Español and a Teacher's Guide. There are six issues available, each with slightly different topics, ranging from agriculture and the environment to science, technology, engineering, and math. Classroom sets are available at a cost. 

"Teaching students to be agriculturally literate connects their learning to everyday life.
That is what the Iowa Ag Today series is all about."


Spotlight Literacy

Sarah McKee

Sarah McKee, Instructional Coach, is currently working with Burlington teachers to build "a systemic approach to using writing in all content areas." She shares that all educators are focusing on incorporating writing prompts and "teaching students a consistent strategy to unpack a writing prompt, actively read a text with the prompt in mind, brainstorm their ideas, and write with textual evidence from their source." 

Burlington student

Students are increasing the frequency of practicing writing strategies across disciplines, while also developing critical thinking and reasoning skills. Culture can change by creating a common goal. Allowing time for educators to develop their skills and providing effective tools is important to achieve that goal. As a result of this initiative, McKee adds, "Teachers are better supported in understanding how the literacy standards pair well with their content standards."

Spotlight Literacy

What are you doing to align instructional practice and implement the Iowa Academic Standards?

Are you utilizing tools to design instruction, assess learning, or create professional development that supports all students meeting Iowa Core expectations in literacy?

Share your work and celebrations via the Spotlight Literacy Google Form. A literacy spotlight will be chosen each month!

Let's build bridges together and improve instructional practice.


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Leigh Bellville

Leigh Bellville
Literacy Consultant
Bureau of Leading, Teaching, Learning Services
Iowa Department of Education
Grimes State Office Building
400 E 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-689-3717
leigh.bellville@iowa.gov