Welcome to #MEMSPAchat! Let’s start with introductions...I’m Molly Funk, your guest moderator tonight and I’m so excited to learn and lead about literacy with you!
Welcome to #memspachat Let’s start with introductions...I’m Molly Funk, your guest moderator tonight and I’m so excited to learn and lead about literacy with you!
Hi everyone. Thanks for including me. Lalena from Downriver MI- I teach middle school & I’m an inspiring someone in administration (maybe an instructional coach) 🍎 #MEMSPAchat
Q1: We know programs don’t teach children, teachers do! In what ways have you focused on teachers’ practice of effective literacy instruction over following a program? #MEMSPAchat
A1: I start with the lesson plan and planning. I connect it to the assessment for end of the unit. I then observe the Ts and what they are doing to provide feedback on ways to strengthen a lesson but also allow the T time to reflect on how to move forward. #MEMSPAchat
Q1: We know programs don’t teach children, teachers do! In what ways have you focused on teachers’ practice of effective literacy instruction over following a program? #MEMSPAchat
A1: Focus on Tier I Instruction. CHOICE is key!! LOTS of books for students. Focus lessons can work many different reading levels. One size does NOT fit all #memspachat
A1: I think it is a balance. You need to build capacity and sometimes take baby steps. A program can help people be comfortable while they as they switch their practice. The MAISA units are a great example to guide literacy while increasing professional practice. #memspachat
A1 We are focusing on strategies Ts can incorporate through their content rather than a packaged program. The genius is already w/in our Ts; need to share it, fail forward, and keep learning & growing #MEMSPAchat
Q1: We know programs don’t teach children, teachers do! In what ways have you focused on teachers’ practice of effective literacy instruction over following a program? #MEMSPAchat
A1: We highlight just one bullet point from one of the literacy essentials every week in our staff newsletter. We also make decisions based on our professional judgement because we know our students as readers and writers better than any program. #MEMSPAchat
My teachers don’t have a textbook or series... we have a balanced literacy approach with guided reading as the backbone and Daily 5 has the rotation. My early elem. teachers are data focused to an extreme! We know where every kid’s level is at. #MEMSPAchat
My teachers don’t have a textbook or series... we have a balanced literacy approach with guided reading as the backbone and Daily 5 has the rotation. My early elem. teachers are data focused to an extreme! We know where every kid’s level is at. #MEMSPAchat
A1: Just as a power drill is a tool in a carpenter’s skillful hand, a literacy program is a tool in a teacher’s skillful hand. The tool doesn’t create or achieve results. The artisan does. The focus should be on the art & science of teaching over any program. #MEMSPAchat
Q1: We know programs don’t teach children, teachers do! In what ways have you focused on teachers’ practice of effective literacy instruction over following a program? #MEMSPAchat
A1: We have built in strategies like CITW to help support teaching practices and programs. Regardless of the program you use...intentional delivery and ss engagement also make positive impacts on Ss success #MEMSPAchat
A2: despite the change in curricular resource, we have remain committed to small group instruction and getting just right text in student hands - still implementing, but making time for both #memspachat
A1 We have been intentional about modeling discussions that we want happening between Ss about books they’re choosing. Guided reading is huge and the supports provided by the Ts that match students’ needs are essential. #memspachat
A1: joining late, trying to help teachers have more opportunities to observe each other and collaborate using learning labs also bringing in mentors and coaches for more consistent support #memspachat
A1: getting away from teaching this lesson on this day, because that is what the program says. Also, learning about and implementing the Essentials have been huge! #MEMSPAchat
A1) as a teacher, I rely on students choosing their own chapter books for independent reading and book club because it has to be relevant for the kiddos. I need them to make connections and have meaningful dialogue with one another & formative assesebts! #MEMSPAchat
A1: As we shifted gears this year, our focus is building teacher efficacy. Positive self-talk along with encouragement and support from a number of areas. #memspachat
Q2: Our shifts in literacy instruction over the past few years have pushed literacy leaders to abandon ineffective classroom and school practices. What have been some practices that you have let go or supported teachers to let go of? #MEMSPAchat
Coaching increases the implementation of #litessentials and effective practices! Investing in high quality coaches and coaching practices is worth it! #memspachat
Here is our literacy essential bullet point for this week. There is SO much embedded into just one of the bullet points, so it is great to look at them in bite-sized pieces. #MEMSPAchat#litessentials
A1: Students learn best when teachers reveal themselves as enthusiastic readers and writers. Modeling metacognitive strategies and demonstrating positive reading and writing habits and experiences motivate students to love reading and writing. #memspachat
a2: we are working on moving away from single sized curriculum and resources. Our kids come with all different needs and we need to be intentional on how we select/let them select what they read and what they do
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A2: Same level texts for all readers. We have begun a huge push for differentiation and giving texts to Ss at their levels. Pushing round robin reading and forcing every Ss to read out loud. #MEMSPAchat
A1: (coming in late...)glad to see these ideas tonight. We got a program for the first time this year because my teachers begged for it. Our 3-5 still using an integrated approach (different building)-glad to read these answers that help solidify my thinking on this. #MEMSPAchat
A2: @BuckmasterKelly We have done the same thing...the only "spelling tests" we give are tied to our phonics instruction or greek/latin root instruction. So much more meaningful and transferable. #MEMSPAchat
Q3: At the @memspa conf 2016 @nellkduke challenged principals to “Be Unsatisfied” with currently literacy practices. In what ways have you grown in your observation of literacy practices in an effort to be unsatisfied and shift change? #MEMSPAchat
A2. We have let go of the phrase “I just know” or “I have a feeling” . We must, without a doubt, know where each of our children are a reader at all times through regular indivualized conferences, instruction and data. #MEMSPAchat
A2: In general, reading logs with requirements to get sign should be abandoned. Want to know if a student read, engage them in a conversation about their book. LMS staff do a great job of setting reading goals instead. #memspachat
A2) I let go of sit & get & I have embraced more choice of reading materials, build a classroom library to serve various Lexie’s, comfortable flexible seating, and giving Ss the reigns to lead meaningful dialogue around a piece of text or in mini groups for book club #MEMSPAchat
Q2: Our shifts in literacy instruction over the past few years have pushed literacy leaders to abandon ineffective classroom and school practices. What have been some practices that you have let go or supported teachers to let go of? #MEMSPAchat
A3: If I am expecting change from Ts, I need to be knowledgeable. I have stayed personally focused on learning and growing as a literacy leader right along side my Ts. #MEMSPAchat
A3: I have pushed unsatisfied in the areas of following a program day by day. Instead of following suit, my Ts need to use data to guide their instruction and utilize their Ss needs to plan and dictate their teaching. #MEMSPAchat
That's part of the Literacy Leadership commitment principals have to make on this journey to improve lit instruction for every child. Kudos! #MEMSPAchat
A3: I think it isn't just about us being unsatisfied but about helping teachers be unsatisfied and know they can always adjust to kids. We shift change through our adults and help them see the need for growth. Then we support, push and allow failure during the journey #memspachat
A3: I tune into the ways that teachers confer with students individually, personalizing reading and writing instruction. Each student should receive daily feedback connected to his/her personal literacy needs and goals. #memspachat
I'm sure you learn a lot about your Ss to discuss with the Ts! This also supports those S data dialogues when Principals know their Ss as readers and writers. #MEMSPAchat
A3 increasing my own understanding of the essentials and providing support to teachers by listening to the conversations they’re having with their students during small group guided instruction. #memspachat
A3: continued growth for me, staying in the trenches with kids and teachers. Ideally I’d be pursuing my phd in literacy but my husband is not into adding to or debt 🤷♀️ #MEMSPAchat
Q3: At the @memspa conf 2016 @nellkduke challenged principals to “Be Unsatisfied” with currently literacy practices. In what ways have you grown in your observation of literacy practices in an effort to be unsatisfied and shift change? #MEMSPAchat
A3: focusing on current researched based strategies, increasing independent reading time, making interactive read aloud required daily, intentionally promoting reading to staff and students #memspachat
A3: I doubled down this year and asked which teacher would like me to come in and teach a mini-lesson with their class - letting the T be the observer. It's led to great reflection as a learner and even better discussion w/ the T #MEMSPAchat
A3: Read the research, talk about best practices, and learn side by side with my Ts. Also, probe with Ts about their individual students and their needs as a reader rather than discussing programs and systems. #MEMSPAchat
A3: brand new to my building this year I’m really trying to understand what literacy looks like. We have also started to dig into the Schoolwide Essentials #memspachat
Q4: The School Wide #litessentials communicate the importance of developing a Literacy Leadership Team. In what ways are you getting this important team started in your schools to support a system of literacy growth? #MEMSPAchat
A3) not at conference, but we need to let go of useless reading logs, making older students take weekly spelling tests, teaching grammar in isolation, not proving Ss opps to read info text multiple times, not making connections to why kids are reading an anchor text #MEMSPAchat
A3: When I observe instruction I try to ask a critical question that extends or pushes for new thought rather than judge the teacher’s lessons or choices. In this way, my learning grows as the teacher’s learning grows. We all have so much to learn from conversation. #MEMSPAchat
Q3: At the @memspa conf 2016 @nellkduke challenged principals to “Be Unsatisfied” with currently literacy practices. In what ways have you grown in your observation of literacy practices in an effort to be unsatisfied and shift change? #MEMSPAchat
Q4 something I need to be more intentional about. I have great reading teachers and need to start putting those great minds together with the support of our literacy coaches. #memspachat
A3: Having a secondary background, I keep going back to the Essentials and relying on the professional practice of our teachers. Not just moving through the curriculum, but engaging students through relevant experiences. #MEMSPAchat
As a small school, we’re committed to ALL being on the literacy team - advocating and seeking excellence and growth in literacy instruction and support is one of our key goals for all staff (support staff too 🙃) #MEMSPAchat
A4: We are utilizing our Reading Specialists and formed a reading committee to help push literacy and reading importance in our school. There is a wide range of reading and literacy work that goes along with it. #MEMSPAchat
A4: Getting everyone involved.
Ts Pick an essential and show the rest of the staff what it looks like in their classroom. Great Collaboration #memspachat
A4: being new to a school, I think it is learning where we came from and deciding where we want to go. Schools have inputs that are vastly different and outputs that need to be similar, we must find that pathway and leverage our lit teams to move us that way.
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A4: I am weaving this into the work of our MTSS leadership team - also our district is planning to have a Literacy Coach at every elementary school next year! #MEMSPAchat
A4 Bringing dept team leaders together to read and discuss FOCUS last yr. They communicate our why and then facilitate convo w dept/PLCs and report back. County wide lit team rep & new inst coach joined this week. #MEMSPAchat
Q4: The School Wide #litessentials communicate the importance of developing a Literacy Leadership Team. In what ways are you getting this important team started in your schools to support a system of literacy growth? #MEMSPAchat
A4: Literacy is always a priority in our School Improvement Team meeting discussions. One School, One Book is one of our most effective school community literacy building strategies. #memspachat
A4: We divided our School Improvement Team into two subcommittees, half focused on Literacy Leadership and half focused on PBIS/SEL. It has made our SIT so incredibly focused and effective! #MEMSPAchat
Q4: The School Wide #litessentials communicate the importance of developing a Literacy Leadership Team. In what ways are you getting this important team started in your schools to support a system of literacy growth? #MEMSPAchat
Risk taking in classroom practices is most common where the principal builds trust and shows themselves as a vulnerable learner too! Great work! #memspachat
Q4: SISD is developing a Birth-26 literacy plan that incorporates MTSS and implementation science. Instruction is teaming up with Special Education and Early Childhood to get it done! #memspachat
Communication is one of the most important elements of changing a culture. As the principal if you want to change literacy instruction, keep the best practices highlighted in what you talk about! #MEMSPAchat
Q5: Given @john_hattie research on Collective Teacher Efficacy (mean effect size of 1.57), what might be some ways you can use the Literacy Leadership Team and School Wide #litessentials to build the CTE to get almost 4x ave effect size on learning for students? #MEMSPAchat
Q5: Given @john_hattie research on Collective Teacher Efficacy (mean effect size of 1.57), what might be some ways you can use the Literacy Leadership Team and School Wide #litessentials to build the CTE to get almost 4x ave effect size on learning for students? #MEMSPAchat
A5: have had great success with teacher led instructional rounds. they get to learn with each other, from each other and grow with each other. #memspachat
A5: We do not meet unless we are meeting to collaborate. Everything else can be done through digital communication. The sum of the whole is greater than any individual, and we are only as good as our colleagues are. We rise together! #MEMSPAchat#Path2Serendipity
A4: Ours is currently researching a new ELA curriculum. Long days and significant time, but worth it. @SueElmer is doing amazing leading it and making sure we are focused and on task! #MEMSPAchat
A5: Build shared knowledge with staff through book studies, articles, videos etc. Have a means for Ts to process, reflect and discuss their learning. Then make it safe for Ts to “fly the plane” by practicing and taking risks. Celebrate their risks, work, and growth. #MEMSPAchat
We have done instructional rounds in my building as well. From a teachers stand point that are so helpful and I love learning from my colleagues. Sometimes you can pick up the smallest things too. #MEMSPAchat
A5) I’m not sure if my answer fully applies, but there’s a lot we can do that cost zero bucks to influence s achievement; building positive relationships, having clearly communicated SLO, giving timely feedback, etc #MEMSPAchat
A5: Developing a learning zone versus a performance zone is key. Ts and Coaches working and learning together. Coaches is separate from evaluation. #memspachat
Q6: Our literacy curriculum, assessment, and emphasized instructional practices tell our Ts and Ss what we value. In what ways are you working to ensure your comprehensive literacy framework stresses the most effective tools and practices? #MEMSPAchat
Rounds are a great way to get the Ts talking. As leaders we should be listening for the language of belief systems that we can support a shift. What is REALLY valued? #memspachat
A4: School improvement data is critical. My principals use literacy data at their SIP Meeting, DIP meetings, and Board Meeting... so proud of the great admin team I support!
A5: ultimately we have to make time for our teachers to learn, share, and be vulnerable with one another. The smartest person in the school is the school. #memspachat
A5: Truly reflecting on teaching strategies that may or may not be effective. Trusting that teacher observation and input is just as valuable as the data to drive instruction. #MEMSPAchat
A6 Teach like a champion instructional strategies implemented district wide this year tell Ts and Ss that we value everyone's voice and engagement in the learning process #MEMSPAchat
Q6: Our literacy curriculum, assessment, and emphasized instructional practices tell our Ts and Ss what we value. In what ways are you working to ensure your comprehensive literacy framework stresses the most effective tools and practices? #MEMSPAchat
A5: Our district implemented PLCs this year, and teachers will examine the literacy essentials in the context of data analysis to develop robust ELA instruction. #memspachat
That's huge! Sometimes we say we value something but our behavior and language tell otherwise. We have to been listening for the implicit to build CTE #memspachat
5. Teachers who feel valued will continue to grow. Fostering shared leadership in your building shows them that we can’t do it alone and that we value their leadership and them as professionals. We all have to be all in together. #MEMSPAchat
Q6: Our literacy curriculum, assessment, and emphasized instructional practices tell our Ts and Ss what we value. In what ways are you working to ensure your comprehensive literacy framework stresses the most effective tools and practices? #MEMSPAchat
Q7: We are challenged to ensure Ss are engaging with Purposeful Learning Experiences-PLE (defined by @drlindseymoses) while the T is working with small groups. How might you support teachers in shifting from activities to PLEs that make Ss better readers and writers? #MEMSPAchat
I was just having this conversation with another teacher today. She was saying she enjoyed 1:1 conferences over groups. My biggest struggle is keeping all the data organized. #MEMSPAchat
A6: Start with a clear guaranteed and viable curriculum in ELA, deliver it through the best practices as written in the Literacy Essentials, continually assess and respond to student learning. #MEMSPAchat
A6: Working on imbedding linking walks and/or instructional rounds into our literacy essentials work. Collected and discussing the observational data will assist in this process. #memspachat
Observations not recorded are just thoughts. Ts need to record what they notice about S reading and writing behaviors to become relevant data #memspachat
a7: working on being intentional with what we do and understanding why we are having kids do it. Helping teachers see that kids need to be engaged in their learning but be focused on working towards a specific, individualized goal #memspachat
A6: being more intentional with what the other students are doing during guided reading. If you’re not with the teacher you can still become a better reader! #memspachat
A6: as an essential part to our framework my district has prioritized building and investing in classroom libraries ensuring students and staff have engaging texts at a variety of levels and interests, along with ongoing job embedded PD for staff #memspachat
A6: The Reading and Writing Workshop model is the foundation of our literacy curriculum, and it underscores the importance of learning and applying new skills through students' personal interests and levels of proficiency. #memspachat
We use the electronic pensieve "the sisters" . We are a small district which makes it affordable. Great way for SE Title I, Gen ED, and myself to communicate about the Ss #memspachat
A5: WOW, great question! Just finished my dissertation on school culture and reading... schools that reported a higher level of teacher responsibility/ collective efficacy had a statistically significant higher level of reading achievement on the M-Step #MEMSPAchat
Q7: We are challenged to ensure Ss are engaging with Purposeful Learning Experiences-PLE (defined by @drlindseymoses) while the T is working with small groups. How might you support teachers in shifting from activities to PLEs that make Ss better readers and writers? #MEMSPAchat
A7: provide time and coaching support to review data and plan for specific support. We also set timelines for our goals to keep us accountable to progress monitoring #memspachat
A7. Providing students with real choice reading and writing while the teacher is working 1:1 or in small groups increases engagement. Let’s them read and write about their passions! #MEMSPAchat
A6: I rely on the strengths and talents of our literacy coach and teachers. My secondary Science background didn’t always understand/support a literacy focus, but as I learn more, I appreciate it more. #MEMSPAchat
A7: Make sure Ss are engaged in authentic work with a purpose they understand that matches their need as a reading/writing learner. This summer we read No More Independent Reading Without Support and it has great ideas to support this. #MEMSPAchat
Q8: #MEMSPAchat Challenge! Let Ts know you are looking for Ss to be engaged with meaningful literacy experiences that make Ss better readers and writers. Write 3 notes this week praising Ts for having Ss engage in “real” reading and writing and deep learning of literacy.
Recently I reflected on my journey as a reader. Pretty neat to think about books that made an impact. https://t.co/xHpii7vRtC#nationalbookmonth #memspachat
A7: Ss need independent reading time to practice the skills they’re learning during guided reading time. Monitoring that through response journals and accountable student talks gives them this opportunity and gives the T data as well. #memspachat
In a nutshell, we are using NWEA and common assessment data to drill down to the skills and related literacy essentials that our students need to grow in reading and writing. Teachers will collaborate on the research-based practices on which we need to focus. #memspachat
Q8: #MEMSPAchat Challenge! Let Ts know you are looking for Ss to be engaged with meaningful literacy experiences that make Ss better readers and writers. Write 3 notes this week praising Ts for having Ss engage in “real” reading and writing and deep learning of literacy.
A8: Whew...I was running out of literacy memes tonight! Challenge accepted!!! Looking forward to sending these notes out to our districts:) #memspachat
A7: Good readers activate background knowledge & are able to predict, infer, & question when reading. Fluent readers can put themselves into the text, making self-to-text-connections. Keep track of Ss ability to do this with multiple individual conferencing sessions #memspachat
A7 Coaching support. Training in 1, why of literacy focus, 2, rdg strategies, 3, effective instructional practices cross curricularly. Focus on how we know what kids know vs what task they completed in a secondary setting #MEMSPAchat
Q7: We are challenged to ensure Ss are engaging with Purposeful Learning Experiences-PLE (defined by @drlindseymoses) while the T is working with small groups. How might you support teachers in shifting from activities to PLEs that make Ss better readers and writers? #MEMSPAchat
Q8: #MEMSPAchat Challenge! Let Ts know you are looking for Ss to be engaged with meaningful literacy experiences that make Ss better readers and writers. Write 3 notes this week praising Ts for having Ss engage in “real” reading and writing and deep learning of literacy.
Q8: #MEMSPAchat Challenge! Let Ts know you are looking for Ss to be engaged with meaningful literacy experiences that make Ss better readers and writers. Write 3 notes this week praising Ts for having Ss engage in “real” reading and writing and deep learning of literacy.
Thanks @mollyfunk for an engaging chat! Great connections made. Let’s connect if we haven’t already! Have a fantastic Friday all! Come on over to #waledchat if you have time! #MEMSPAchat
I'm here to be a resource for your in the Literacy Leadership journey! I've developed many free support tools for coaches and principals as they go forward. PM me! #memspachat
