11 December final thought - when deciding to join LTQLP it was in response to a sense of inadequacy that I had been experiencing as a new instructional lead in an elementary setting. The myriad of supports offered through early ed, kindergarten and division is fantastic but for me, overwhelming. Beyond blind trust, how can I ensure each child is directly attended to and accommodated for? Mine has been a steep learning curve and attending these sessions and conversations have been a godsend. I have made commitments with my school and through the connections made here I am now much more competent at my job...much more to learn but it now seems possible.

james

In order to lead others you need to be clear about what you believe...

So what are your 'a-ha' moments of quality literacy instruction?  Have you achieved clarity around your beliefs? How will you continue to champion quality literacy instruction?

In session #3 we looked more closely at selected aspects in the Quality Literacy Instruction section of the QLPT. 

•  In which aspects do you still have questions?
•  How will learning more about the aspects of quality literacy instruction affect your literacy programming in your classroom OR as you lead literacy programming/instruction?

Something to think about :  For our final session on Thursday Dec. 11,  you will be asked to share with your colleagues what impact the QLPT has had in your role.  

Discussions around Literacy happen in schools, homes, coffee shops, and countless other locals. Qualifying Literacy with Quality deepens those conversations and allows for new thinking and, I trust, will lead to improved literacy instruction. Thank you for a reliable and thorough tool that schools can use to establish a reliable base line as they seek to improve literacy instruction. This tool has helped me to establish an action plan to improve literacy instruction in my own practice and to guide our work school wide. Thank you!!

The fear of ...Literacy?

After the November session I realized that what I thought traditionally as "Literacy" is so much more.  I believed that as a junior high science teacher, and now admin, that I really didn't know what I was doing when it came to literacy programming in my school.  I knew I read a lot and weaved (thank Melissa) that into my teaching but was that enough?  But as a group we saw literacy as more than just reading and writing - it is listening, viewing and representing....in short, it is understanding.  So after 3 sessions, I know I still need some work, but I think i'm doing OK!  I even took a stab at doing Guided Reading with a group of Grade 1 students this week.  It's a small step but it is a step in the right direction.

One of the things that has really stuck with me after the first session was what the atmosphere of a school looks like as you enter it...is it evident that literacy is alive in our school?  Now, every time I walk around the school, I can see all things we need to do to make our school literacy focused.

Session #2 - Exploring the QLPT document

In this second session we walked and talk through the QLPT document in its entirety.  I observed networking among each other already starting.  

Our blog this time asks for you to consider the following:

• In which areas would you like to see continued focus for growth?  
• Was there a  category that you  naturally gravitate to? If so, why? 
• Which area do you need to strengthen your understanding

Thank you for openly sharing, questioning and discussing with one another. 

Yours in blogging,

Mary

October 2014 Leading Through Quality Literacy Programming series offered through the Leadership Development Framework

I am so pleased to start another series of Leading Through Quality Literacy Programming. It is truly exciting that you are all interested to learn more about quality literacy instruction.  In our first session you had an opportunity to share your ideas and beliefs about quality literacy instruction and then explore how your ideas were represented in Quality Literacy Programming: A Reflective Tool the Coles Notes version.
Check out the Resource Tab for the materials and powerpoint that was used at Session #1.

So, what were your "take away(s) or a-ha moment(s) from session #1?


Looking forward to another adventure in blogging...Blog away....

Mary mac...

Joining in..

I haven't posted yet, so I thought I'd jump in and offer my perspective.

By thinking about quality literacy practices and specifically looking at the QLPT in these sessions, it's allowed me to think about what I have to offer my colleagues and what that support could look like: modelled lessons, informal conversations, or introducing strategies during collaborative meetings.

It's also caused me to reflect on my own practice; where I'm solid and where I can improve in my literacy programming, but also on a grander scale: where do we excel as a school, and where can we improve?    Hopefully moving forward, my staff and I can use parts of the QLPT to enhance the literacy practices at our school.

Inspirational and Flexible

What struck me the most about the QLPT is how inspirational yet possibly daunting this reflective tool can be.

As with anything perspective is key.  As an experienced  educator I am inspired and  motivated by the tool. I see it as an excellent  device  for affirming  the quality programming  that is taking place in my classroom  and as a purposeful  means for setting personal improvement goals.  Yet, if I was given the tool as a new educator, I might feel  intimidated by the scope  of what it means to ensure quality programming.

I love the flexibility inherentl in the tool! Having the  ability to tailor the tool to suit the varied needs of our schools makes it so useful! I am excited to meet with my principal to discuss the best ways to use it with our staff and to begin reflections!

Quality Literacy Programming - Feb 13

I really enjoyed getting to know the Quality Literacy Programming: A Reflective Tool document.  There are so many aspects within the tool, and all of them are key to increasing effectiveness and excellence in literacy. We will have to sit down to see where we are with regard to the indicators, and how we can make it a working document for our own school.  I believe that our school culture will be positively impacted by continuing to overtly attend to the key aspects of literacy programming as guided by this document.
Thank you Mary for leading us into the future of education!

The QLPT document

This morning you had the opportunity to walk through each section of the QLPT.
                      What struck you about the QLPT?
                                                                             Mary
     

Old & New

Even though I have missed the 24 hour deadline.  I feel compelled to complete the task.  The Ministerial Order is an opportunity for all of our schools to reflect on our practices and engage in a plan to put the pieces of our old understandings together with new pieces.  For me, this series of sessions is an opportunity to connect with and learn from other leaders (old & new) in the district, connect my old beliefs and understandings with new ones, and to reflect on how to use  the QLPT as our school moves our literacy plan forward and sets our next steps in light of the Order. Last week's discussions reminded me, that even though we may have used different categories and descriptive words, there are more similarities between our beliefs in what makes a quality literacy program than differences. In our school setting, with three very distinct programs, we often find it true, that we have more in common than not.  I think this commonality of beliefs about literacy is the starting point from where we can begin our new work using the QLPT as a guide.

Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and ideas at Tuesday's session!

I found it interesting to discuss our vision and thoughts around "Quality Literacy Instruction".   The discussions and ideas were rich and though provoking.  I returned to my school and had a lengthy discussion with my mentor/principal about what our school does to promote and ensure Quality Literacy Instruction for each of our students.   I look forward to delving more deeply into the ministerial order and also the QLPT.  

Links, Layers and Lingo

I left this first session energized and excited! It was great to have the opportunity to connect with others who are passionate about literacy.

Literacy is integral in every aspect of our daily lives. Ensuring quality literacy programming is complex and multifaceted. I see the ministerial order as a motivater for rich discussions with staff and will use it for continued collaboration amongst my school's Pre Ap team. I plan on using the QLPT with my principal/mentor  to reflect on my work with the Pre Ap Staff.

Good morning,

Your discussion and sharing with each other yesterday was wonderful.  I noticed how conversations automatically went to your personal situations, bridging theory into practice.  Was there something presented or discussed where you had an "a-ha!" moment?

Blog on,

Mary

Leading Through Quality Literacy Programming: A Reflective Tool: Welcome!

Leading Through Quality Literacy Programming: A Reflective Tool: Welcome!: Welcome to the "Leading Through Quality Literacy Programming: A Reflective Tool" leadership framework development series. I am...

Leadership Development is thrilled that you are developing your leadership competencies by participating in Mary's module with face to face and online opportunities to grow, learn, and expand your personal learning network. The application and integration of your learning into your personal leadership, your DU, and   your district networks will be energizing!

Welcome!

Welcome to the "Leading Through Quality Literacy Programming: A Reflective Tool" leadership framework development series.

I am hoping that this blog will facilitate ongoing reflection and discussion through a blended (On-line and face-to-face) professional learning community. In addition it will allow all participants to deepen their own thinking after each session prior to sharing their learning reflection with their Mentors.

Session materials will be posted here after each session for reference and any materials that will be used throughout the series will also be found here.

I look forward to participating in this stimulating learning opportunity and can't wait to read your first reflections.