October 2020
Literacy News You Can Use
The International Literacy Association publishes a bimonthly magazine Literacy Today.
Research on Reading Instruction, the September/October issue, is open access for both ILA members and nonmembers. Read now and share with colleagues.
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The Comprehensive Center Network provides a free resource library. Topics include but are not limited to Early Learning, Learning and Instruction, Schools and Classrooms, Standards and Curriculum, and Diverse Learners.
A resource published July 29, 2020, focuses on "Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction within Remote Learning Environments." The White Paper offers a "multidisciplinary perspective on the challenge of providing all prekindergarten through grade 12 students with appropriate, standards-aligned, and evidence-based literacy instruction within the context of blended/hybrid learning environments. It is an initial attempt to integrate multidisciplinary information that may be relevant for addressing this challenge."
The state of Iowa is partnering with the Region 9 Comprehensive Center. A current project includes Supporting Continuous Improvement of the Iowa Teacher Leadership and Compensation System by developing a continuous improvement process and sustainability plan for the state’s Teacher Leadership and Compensation system. A related article was published on August 18, 2020: "4 Key Insights About Teacher Leaders: Best Practices from High-Growth Districts." In addition, Region 9 is working with the Iowa Department of Education on a project, Equitable Access to Quality Instruction. The project facilitates the school-level implementation of practices to improve equitable access to quality instruction and student engagement programs. Access the site for more information about these projects.
Access a webinar series supporting literacy and language development for young students, presented by REL West and the Leading with Learning program at WestEd.
The videos share evidence-based, practical strategies for teachers to promote literacy and language development that may be especially beneficial for English learners and dual language learners in the early grades. Watch the first two webinars in this series and download related resources, including lesson planning templates, on the event series page.
The Great American Read is an eight-part series that explores and celebrates the power of reading, told through the lens of America’s 100 best-loved novels (as chosen in a national survey). It investigates how and why writers create their fictional worlds, how we as readers are affected by these stories, and what these 100 different books have to say about our diverse nation and our shared human experience.
This LearningMedia collection highlights books from The Great American Read that find their way into classrooms and onto summer reading lists. It includes additional resources across PBS partners that contextualize the authors and the impact these books have had on specific readers and throughout history.
Access the collection which includes elementary, middle school, and high school titles.
The Pella Community School District K-6 Leadership Team took the initiative to complete the Standards Professional Learning Opportunities in ELA/Literacy course over the last school year. The team of six includes:
Jen Beyer, 4-6 ELA Advisor Sarah Blom, SPED Advisor Annie Foskett, Preschool-3rd Instructional Coach Sarah Kuennen, Preschool-3rd Instructional Coach Angie Wogen, K-6 ELA Advisor Lisa Zylstra, 4th-6th Instructional Coach
They worked through the course collaboratively when preparing to lead a district research team, which consisted of approximately 20 educators.
Annie Foskett shared, "Our K-6 Leadership team utilized many resources from the course to help guide our work, and it helped to keep us focused on what is most important. Throughout this course, the word that continues to stick out to me is intentionality." A few resources she found valuable include "Knowledge Matters Campaign: Restoring Wonder and Excitement to the Classroom," "A Different Look at the Causes of the Achievement Gap in Reading" by Student Achievement Partners, and slides relating to "Topic-Based Book Baskets for the Classroom Library." Foskett intends to shift practice to topic-centered instruction for building knowledge.
Sarah Kuennen also discussed the next steps for professional learning during 2020-2021: "We plan to share the reading research and information about the shifts in ELA with our entire K-6 staff before we incorporate a new curriculum. We will use the resources shared through this class during that process." There are several resources she found critical to incorporate into professional development with teachers. One example from module 3 is "Selecting Great Materials is Not Enough" by Lauren Weisskirk, EdReports.org Chief Strategy Officer. Kuennen will advocate for involving more educators during piloting and when choosing materials. She emphasized that while completing the course content was "intense," it is incredibly beneficial to lead staff through the same learning process: "I feel much more empowered and motivated to keep learning and leading our teachers through this journey too!"
Access an informational document for free professional learning around the English language arts/literacy standards. Educators can choose to complete the modules as a course for one license renewal credit.
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What are you doing to promote literacy?
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.
Also, feel free to nominate another educator to spotlight his or her work. A literacy spotlight will be chosen each month!
Let's build bridges together and improve instructional practice.
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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
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