Friday, October 28, 2016
Week 11 2106 Program Improvement 2
A few reminders about literacy programs to think about before you read the chapters on Program improvement that deal with assessment, incorporating writing, thinking about linguistically diverse learners and Response to Intervention for those who are struggling.
Literacy programs should be a collaboration of the educational community in and around the building. It should be built around common goals and expectations for all children, and be comprehensive so that in addresses all aspects of language and literacy. Program improvement, you all noted, is ongoing across all age levels in your educational institution. It is systemic and not just aimed at a classroom or a teacher. Before thinking about how to improve your program, you need to think about the aspects of a program that you will need to look at to see if or what needs tweaking, adjusting, or transforming. Those aspects include the following: the curriculum (what is taught and learned), instruction (how literacy is taught and learned), assessment (how learning is determined), materials (what is used for teaching and learning, such as books, technology, manipulatives, real life materials, games, etc.), the organization and environment (what happens when with whom, time, grouping, staffing, PD, school and classroom climate), and parent and community involvement in the program.
So think about those topics I mentioned at the beginning of this blog. What do you think the role of a literacy leader for each of the topics? I look forward to hearing your thoughts now and to reading your discussion on your blog.
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More and more I am seeing that the literacy leader wears many hats! I think the role that a literacy leader plays in each of the topics you mentioned can vary a bit from school to school. But, here are some of my ideas about the role for the respective areas mentioned. Curriculum is such an integral part of what teachers do. Literacy leaders need to ensure that teachers have access to research based materials that fit the needs of the students and teachers. Having a variety of curriculum available to meet a standard allows for some differentiation even amongst teachers. Everyone has different teaching styles, and I think teachers should have some level of choice in curriculum.
ReplyDeleteThe literacy leader can play an integral role in the area of instruction. Using the coaching plan we are currently working with, helping teachers with instruction is possible. Seems to me that modelling of instruction can even be conducted through youtube videos. Teachers could access this anytime they like.
Assessments, though not high stakes tests, are really important. A literacy leader can help the grade level team create or find appropriate formative assessments (or lead a committee that looks into the process). These assessments can then provide data that can be used to guide instruction. The literacy leader's role could be to assist in data compilation to the way this information informs pedagogy. Additionally, the literacy leader can help create or find summative assessments that can then help guide future practice.
Literacy leaders can help with materials by developing teams to create leveled libraries and teacher resources that could be checked out to the teacher. I think every literacy leader needs to attempt to communicate to everyone that he or she can help locate resources even if they aren’t in the building. I think if teachers know there is someone they can use to help gat materials, they are more willing to attempt new ideas in class.
Organization and environment is such a complex thing. I feel like this is something that takes time to develop. Creating relationships with teachers and demonstrating trust takes time. I think teachers’ voices need to be heard, and they need to know you care about them and the students. I think being willing to get your hands dirty for teachers (helping in classes, etc.) goes a long way to helping establish positive relationships.
With the parents and communities I feel that literacy leaders need to welcome them in and go out to them. Our school has a literacy night a couple of time a year to involve families in the literacy process. I think inviting older adults in to read with kids is a simple way to help build community. There are so many things I can think of to strengthen this, just have to find the TIME.
As we already know the literacy coach holds many roles in the school, some of which I didn’t know about until I took this class. Regarding the curriculum, the literacy leaders role is to make sure that across all grade levels it is written according and for students’ ages. Making sure that it meets their academic needs at each level is important for students growth. Also, they may find it necessary to converse with teachers to gain insight into what is most appropriate to go into the curriculum and eliminating or adjusting what is already in it on a yearly basis.
ReplyDeleteAs a literacy leader coaching is by far the number one goal. For instruction, I think literacy leaders use the coaching plan to help with instruction. They conduct observations and present teachers with ideas and new ways for teaching literacy. They also want to co-teach or co-plan to achieve these things.
Through assessment, literacy leaders may gain access to student work to determine their level of understanding thus helping teachers create academically appropriate assessments for their students. Testing should be rendered based on what students know and even through observation, a literacy goal may gain this information.
With regards to materials, I think literacy coaches research and look for items such as books and technology that are appropriate for each grade level or varying levels of ability within grade levels. Materials are also researched for teachers to use to help students and themselves. Making sure that a variety of materials are available for teachers to differentiate instruction is very important. I am sure literacy leaders also teach teachers how to and when to use the materials.
Through organization and environment, the literacy leader is basically in charge! They are the spear headers and are given the task of organizing when and where things happen and with whom. They provide outlets such as PDs where specific groups of individuals gather to make decisions all while making and creating relationships with everyone involved.
Parents and community involvement in the program means that the literacy coach advocates for the school whereby they ask parents and people from the community to help develop literacy at the school. This can occur through donation of services like reading to students, money that will be used to buy necessary items for the programs or by actual donations of the materials needed. Literacy leaders may also want to go to parents and community members to ask of their opinions regarding what they may want to see implemented in the school for the students. It is important to remember that these individuals play and important role in their children’s success as well. If they see programs implemented that they suggested it might give them the push to be more involved in their students life as well as the life of the school.
Throughout this course I have come to understand the importance of a literacy leader and the many roles he or she will have once they choose to serve as a coach. I am not surprised now that we are discussing the literacy leader and his or her role as it relates to the curriculum, assessment, the organization and environment and parent and community involvement in the program.
ReplyDeleteConsequently, I believe that the role of the literacy leader with regard to the curriculum is important. They may have the responsibility of ensuring that what is being placed in the curriculum for instruction is appropriate for all students at their desired level. In addition, they can make suggestions and present information that may assist in creating and implementing a curriculum that is conducive to all learners.
For assessment, I think that the literacy coach will assist the classroom teacher in suggesting and creating informative assessments and other activities that will help to identify where students are in areas such as reading, phonics, and spelling among others. Also, they will help to provide continued support as the teacher assesses his or her students. The literacy leader can help to identify what materials will be used for teaching each area of literacy in order that students may succeed. They may help teachers level classroom library books and suggest ways to differentiate assessments.
With the organization and environment, the literacy coach may meet with all the staff to create an appropriate and workable schedule that can be used to determine specific times he or she will meet with staff, conduct PDs and observations. This is a big task that I think needs lots of preparation, communication and proper execution.
Last, when the literacy coach partners with parents and the community with regard to their involvement in the program the coach is expected to be a leader that assists, works with, and builds up a line of effective communication in order that programs many run smoothly and effectively. In this capacity, literacy leaders also need to play the role of teacher and friend. They need to teach the parents and community members about aspects of literacy that is important, about how to assist their children/students at home and provide them with ideas that will bring them together as a family and community. As a friend, the literacy leader should be vocal about how he or she will be available for one-on-one or group discussions if they need someone to confide in or discuss specific topics or issues. I also think that the literacy leader should act as the link between the staff and pupils and the parents and the community.
The more I learn about a literacy leader’s role the more I realize they have a lot of responsibilities!
ReplyDeleteCurriculum – Curriculum is so important for teachers because it drives their instruction. It also drives the instruction of literacy leaders. I think a literacy leader’s role is to understand curriculum for all grade levels so that they are able to help teachers understand ways they can teach to the curriculum.
Instruction – Literacy leaders help guide teachers in creating quality instruction. Being informed with the coaching plan helps us guide instruction for teachers. I think this is a great way to help teachers grow in their instruction.
Assessment – Literacy leaders need to be aware of different types of assessments that teachers can use to drive instruction. I think it is important for literacy leaders to be up to date with different forms of informative and formative assessments to help teachers understand the gaps their students might have.
Materials – Literacy leaders use different materials to instruct their students and other teachers. At my school our reading specialists works really hard to create an area where there are leveled readers so that teachers and students can use. I also think a literacy leaders should be up to date with different materials and research to help students and teachers.
Organization & Environment – Being organized I feel is important in the teaching profession. There are so many different things that literacy leaders need to keep track of and be organized with in meetings and paperwork. Also building relationships with staff members helps build a positive work environment.
Parent & Community Involvement – I feel as though literacy leaders can also build relationships with parents and use different resources to get the community involved. One way to do this is to send out a monthly newsletter to parents providing ways they can help their child build literacy skills at home.