Literacy and the New Teacher

1. Literacy and the New Teacher Ontario Teachers Federation

2. What the Early Reading Strategy Says “A child’s success in school and throughout life depends in large part on the ability to read. Educators in Ontario have the profound challenge of making reading a reality for all children.” Early Reading Strategy – the Report of the Expert Panel on Early Reading in Ontario 2003 (page 1)

3. What the Research Says • A major consensus of research is that the ability of teachers to deliver good reading instruction is the most powerful factor in determining how well children learn to read. • Early Reading Panel Report has identified the best knowledge currently available to guide teachers in early reading instruction Early Reading Strategy – the Report of the Expert Panel on Early Reading in Ontario 2003(page 4)

4. What All Teachers Need to Know • The goals of reading instruction • What constitutes the best early literacy practices • How to build knowledge and expertise – working collaboratively • Appropriate assessment practices that informs classroom practice

5. Goals of Literacy Instruction • Fluency • Comprehension • Motivation

6. O R A L L A N G U A G E Modeled Writing Read Aloud/Modeled Reading Shared Reading Shared Writing Reading Writing Effective Literacy Program Oral Visual Communication Phonics & Word Study

7. O R A L L A N G U A G E Modeled Writing Read Aloud/Modeled Reading Shared Reading Shared Writing Reading Writing Guided Writing Guided Reading Effective Literacy Program Oral Visual Communication • Independent Reading Independent Writing Phonics & Word Study

8. Junior and Intermediate Instruction • Focus of instruction: • Reading to learn – developing strategic readers and writers • Writing as a vehicle for thinking and reflecting and responding to reading • Cross-curricular connections

9. “Using reading and writing together in harmonious concert enables learners to draw on these complementary processes at the same time they work to construct meaning.” Fountas and Pinnell 2002, vi

10. Developing Strategic Readers What are reading strategies? “Strategies are problem-solving procedures that students choose and use consciously.” Thompkins,G. E. 1997. Literacy for the 21st Century

11. Reading and Comprehension Strategies

12. Comprehension Strategies • Making Connections – Tapping Prior Knowledge • Asking Questions • Predicting • Creating Visual and Other Sensory Images • Synthesizing • Determining Importance

13. Comprehension Strategies- Making Connections • This reminds me of… • It made me think of… • I read another book where…

14. Writing Instruction – Skill Lessons Instructing students about: • Conventions of writing • Grammar, syntax, punctuation • Spelling

15. Writing Instruction – Craft Lessons Instructing students about: • Techniques and styles of writing • Use of language • Genres and forms of literature • The qualities of good writing Using Voice in writing

16. Learning Conditions that Promote Good Writing • Regular large blocks of time • Direct instruction • An accepting, encouraging environment • Interacting with quality literature • Authentic purpose for writing

18. Advice • Plan both for the short-term and the long-term with a focus on literacy • Design a multi year professional learning plan that will allow you to acquire additional knowledge and skills • Seek out a community of professional learners

19. Advice • Engage in a variety of learning opportunities, both individual and collaborative, that are integrated into practice for the benefit of student learning • Build in time for reflection in order to learn from your experience