Welcome to Leading Through Quality Literacy Instruction!

Hi Group!

Thank you for your honest discussion around quality literacy instruction this morning.  I am looking forward to the series and learning from you as we share ideas around making literacy tangible for all students.
Leading Through Quality Literacy Instruction : Powerpoint

Getting Started

This first session was an overview of what literacy is and its importance.  My reason for being here is to have some ideas of how to present literacy to a K-9 school to develop consistent conversations with vocabulary, ideas, and direction as what a literacy program can look like in our school.  Also, literacy needs to be developed within Junior High classrooms in all subject areas, and intervention does need to be done in the classroom.  How do we do this?  How do we convince ELA teachers especially to develop leveled learning and interventions in their class for struggling readers and achievers?  I believe myself, and have practised, adapting materials for students who are below the class level (especially ELL).  I also believe that you start with where they are at, encourage them, and praise their success in order for them to buy in to reading and trying.  If they are reluctant readers at the Junior High level, they have been for a long time.  We need to be on the same page within our school, then become consistent throughout the district.  That is why I am here --- so how do we get there?  I learned a lot by talking to other teachers and what they are doing in their schools. Thank you and I look forward to our next session.

First Impressions

I decided to participate in these sessions as I have started emerging as a literacy leader within my school and I am want to learn more about how to guide a school into improving literacy for all students.  The one thing I have taken away from this first session is defining what literacy means.  The Denis Sparks quote, " In order to lead others you need to be clear about what you believe…" really resonated with me.  I need to spend time reflecting on what I believe literacy means to me.  I think this will be a critical first step as everyone on staff is going to have a different interpretation of this, so to help lead I will need to be grounded in my own beliefs.

A Whole New Literary World...

It seems, as the days role by and the year changes yet again, the ideas and challenges for Literacy continue endlessly. As we develop new understanding, change ideologies and pedagogy and finally begin to implement new practice that the world has moved again and we continue to aim for that moving target.

Literacy is an ever expanding, changing and challenging area to address and keep up with. The ideas of Literacy being everywhere, from a preschool class working on words for shapes to the highest levels of education where papers, readings and professional development challenge us to stay current, can make it daunting to try and apply it to our world.

Today we began a new road on the pathway of leadership as a cohort to develop our understandings of Literacy and Leadership. I look forward to continued learning, networking, sharing, collaborating and so very much more.

Thanks for a great morning one and all!