Leading Improvement in Literacy Instruction

1277 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Philosophy regarding literacy instruction

Literacy Improvement Project

EDPS 548

LEADING IMPROVEMENT IN LITERACY INSTRUCTION

School Context

Beulah Shoesmith Elementary is a K-6 school located in the Hyde Park/Kenwood Community. Contrary to what the assumed socioeconomic status of that community is, 91% of the students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Many of the families that reside within the attendance boundary are renters, which also attributes to the 21% student mobility rate. Since the reorganizations of districts, Shoesmith resides in District 9 under the direction of Chief Harrison Peters. The Principal of Shoesmith, Sabrina Gates has over 19 years in the field of education. Prior to serving as principal, Ms. Gates served the Hyde Park community as a reading specialist, reading coach, staff developer and assistant principal. Her sustained leadership and 5E survey reports indicate rating for Shoesmith as a “well-organized” school. Assistant Principal, Nicole Neal contributes another set of talents, by providing supports for social and emotional needs of students. Prior to arriving to Shoesmith School, Ms. Neal served as a high school counselor and is an adjunct professor at Loyola University. Together, the administrators collaborate to drive the Shoesmith mission.

Shoesmith Mission

We believe that every student in our school is capable of learning and thinking at high levels. We will meet the academic and social/emotional needs of all of our students including students with disabilities, English language learners, high achievers, and struggling learners. We will challenge each student by providing a safe and nurturing learning environment that encourages self- expression and creativity, and by setting high expectation, utilizing rigorous, research-base...

... middle of paper ...

...servations used data gathering instruments designed to focus on instructional quality in literacy for the observer, teacher, and the administrative team.

The instructional quality indicators addressed by the data collection practices and this document include:

1. Instructional Methods – provides information based on instructional practices

2. Level of Cognition – provides information about the depths and levels of thinking involved in instructional activities

3. Student engagement – expressed in terms of the percentage of engagement observed

4. Standards/Objectives – identifies instructional focus and alignment to Common Core Standards

5. Instructional practices - specific teaching methods that guide interaction in the classroom.

6. Culture and environment – reflecting on environmental features that which have been shown to support literacy instruction

Show More
Related

  • I Interviewed An Assistant Principal, Ms. Katis Romig

    1102 Words  | 3 Pages

    School leaders and faculty are responsible to ensure engaging, rigorous, and coherent curricula in all subjects, accessible for a variety of learners and aligned to Common Core Learning Standards and/or content standards. As a special education program for severely disabled students including all these requirements in curriculum that is differentiated for the array of needs in the school isn’t easy. In response to the suggestions made by Ms. Joseph the principal decided that the best way to address it while still attending to the needs of the school would be to created an inquiry team that will research the findings in order to help with the decision making.

    Read More

  • Developing Literacy Skills in ELLs

    1632 Words  | 4 Pages

    English Language Learners (ELL) require thoughtful and careful instruction for both reading and writing education. Both of these skills are necessary for a bright future and to be a functioning citizen in Canada. Those that do not possess considerable literacy levels will be effectively 'locked out' from so much knowledge, information and ideas that are part of the culture of society (Christie 1990, 20). Having a low level of literacy usually means acquiring an unskilled job. The relationship between literacy levels and poverty is something that should not be ignored (Gibbons, 2002). Developing literacy skills in ELLs is a daunting task and especially with students that have not developed those skills in their first language originally. Through the Curriculum Cycle and proper scaffolding of writing strategies, this paper will provide a lesson plan that will help develop an ELL's writing skills. It will include many different tools that will help students gain an understanding and confidence of the narrative writing form.

    Read More

  • New Tisbury School Case

    564 Words  | 2 Pages

    The students consistently score well on statewide tests, and they are well prepared for high school and beyond. But the School Building Committee and School Administration, after looking at multiple sites, touring other schools and reviewing multiple options, realized that a new school has substantial advantages over renovating and adding to the existing school. A new building will furnish teachers with the tools necessary to meet the growing needs of our student population. Individualized instructional spaces for English Language Learners and students with special needs will allow these students to receive the specialized instruction they require to make appropriate progress and keep up with their grade level peers. Additionally, the new building will provide the infrastructure to integrate modern technology into the educational program, supporting students as they utilize software to develop concepts and permitting teachers to use programs that can target specific student needs and learning styles. Group spaces in the building will bring teams of student together to collaborate on school projects or attend presentations. In today’s global economy students must have the skills needed to conduct research, work in teams, and effectively deliver presentations. A new Tisbury School will provide the staff with the tools to prepare students for success in high

    Read More

  • My Personal Philosophy of Special Education

    1036 Words  | 3 Pages

    The students in our classrooms, both special education and general education classrooms, require individualized education to reach their full potential. Each child’s potential is different just as each child’s road to reach it is different. Our job as teachers is to be there for the student’s to help them reach their potential through their own unique way.

    Read More

  • Improving The Literacy Of America

    1580 Words  | 4 Pages

    Reading and writing are two of the most important functions performed on a daily basis by individuals. One problem in America is that a significant amount of the population cannot perform one or both of these tasks. These two tasks are commonly referred to as literacy. What encompasses a literate individual is a controversial topic. For example, if someone can read a sentence and decipher what it means does this mean the person is literate. Or should the individual be able to interpret a sentence as well as write and respond to a given situation to be considered literate. Due to this vagueness in what encompasses a literate individual, I will not state statistical information about the state of literacy in the United States. The statistical information is not important, rather the way the literacy rate can be risen in the U.S. is what is important. A general situation that has to occur to raise literacy rate is the situation where an individual has the desire to read and write and does not do so solely because of instruction from authority figures.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Seven Pillars Of Reading Instruction

    1207 Words  | 3 Pages

    The seven pillars of effective reading instruction are an important base to an effective and engaging classroom. Teachers, who are able to apply each of these pillars to everyday learning in the classroom, reach their students and provide instruction in meaningful and approachable ways. Each of these pillars provides important ideas and information that work together to create an effective learning environment in the literacy classroom. By accessing and including each of these pillars in my classroom environment, curriculum and instructions, students benefit from the more effective reading instruction possible.

    Read More

  • Philosophy Of Literacy Instruction

    1535 Words  | 4 Pages

    Literature is a key component when speaking of literacy. Teachers need to provide students with endless amounts of practice experiences in reading to build their fluency rate. This should be done with different genres of texts and different levels. Reading a wide variety of literature help children develop rich vocabularies.

    Read More

  • Integrated and Balanced Approach to Literacy

    1602 Words  | 4 Pages

    Every child deserves a positive, safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment where they will grow academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. My role as an educator is to provide my students with this type of environment as well as an education that will help them succeed academically and become life long learners. It is the responsibility of a literacy educator to provide students with this type of environment, but also to provide instruction that will help students become successful readers and writers. There are numerous programs and philosophies about literacy and reading. Through years of experience and research, one begins to develop their own creative approach on teaching these skills. After looking at different programs and seeing the positive and negatives of each, an integrated and balanced approach of literacy seems to be the best way to teach the differing needs of each student.

    Read More

  • Community Stakeholders

    531 Words  | 2 Pages

    Parents and community members want to know that their contributions towards the campus are valued and appreciated. Many times we take for granted those events occurring around us. It is crucial we express gratitude towards those people investing in increasing student achievement. Stakeholders want to feel accepted and worthy in their contributions to the campus. In addition, communities are made up of different types of culture, race and income status making the culture diverse which may act as a barrier in creating a positive atmosphere. Yet, this type of misunderstanding can be avoided by simply asking questions in a respectful manner. School leaders must make parent and community involvement a priority, valuing and accepting each other’s differences. “Schools provide wonderful opportunities to bring together students, families, educators and other community members to build the collaborative partnerships that promote quality educational, recreational, and social opportunities for all citizens” (Lechtenberger and Mullins, 2004, p. 21). Schools, parents and community members must work together to support all students in a learning environment to ensure every student is a successful lifetime

    Read More

  • Elements Of A Comprehensive Literacy Approach

    1523 Words  | 4 Pages

    A comprehensive approach to literacy instruction is when reading and writing are integrated. This happens by connecting reading, writing, comprehension, and good children’s literature. A comprehensive approach to literacy should focus on the many different aspects of reading and writing in order to improve literacy instruction. This includes teachers supporting a comprehensive literacy instructional program by providing developmentally appropriate activities for children. Comprehensive literacy approaches incorporate meaning based skills for children by providing them with the environment needed for literacy experiences. This includes having a print rich classroom where children are exposed to charts, schedules, play related print, and

    Read More

  • classroom rules

    566 Words  | 2 Pages

    This classroom will inspire a lifelong love of learning, cultural appreciation and environmental sensitivity. Where students will learn responsibility, how t cooperatively interact with each other and their community as well as the freedom to learn creatively. Our days together will be focused on honesty, respect, kindness, gentleness, cooperation, thoughtful resolution, positive reinforcement, awareness of differences and tolerance to encourage and motivate students to strive for their full potential.

    Read More

  • Why Do You Want To Be A Teacher Essay

    862 Words  | 2 Pages

    We must have the correct mind-set. We believe our students can learn; have high expectations; are willing to give extra help; find ways to make

    Read More

  • Today’s Students are Tomorrow’s Future

    502 Words  | 2 Pages

    The least recognized, most important people in this world are the educators. They must work hard toward inventing a method to help each individual student “be all they can be!” Teachers must try to stimulate students to create a hunger for learning and to expand their success in life. Teachers should be obligated to the need for the student’s individuality. To be able to teach targeting to the students’ needs will make a difference not only in the student but also in the future of our society. Today’s students are tomorrow’s future.

    Read More

  • Goals of a Future Teacher

    432 Words  | 1 Pages

    Students need to be inspired to think critically. By this they comprehend what has been learned and be able to use it. I hope my students will be able to achieve their greatest potential that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. We can give our children these building blocks thru education to use in decision making situations, moral value of their thoughts and actions. This will guide them to realize how their actions and decisions will affect themselves and others.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Reading Interventions

    895 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many students have a hard time when it comes to reading. There are many reading inventions that can help students out. Reading inventions are strategies that help students who are having trouble reading. The interventions are techniques that can be used to assist in one on ones with students or working in small groups to help students become a better reader. Hannah is a student who seems to be struggling with many independent reading assignments. There can be many reasons that Hannah is struggling with the independent reading assignments. One of the reasons that Hannah can be struggling with is reading comprehension while she is reading on her on. Reading comprehension is when students are able to read something, they are able to process it and they are able to understand what the text is saying. According to article Evidence-based early reading practices within a response to intervention system, it was mentioned that research strategies that can use to help reading comprehension can include of activating the student’s background knowledge of the text, the teacher can have questions that the student answer while reading the text, having students draw conclusions from the text, having

    Read More

More about Leading Improvement in Literacy Instruction

Open Document