March

SOEL 2 with Dr. Gina Cervetti on Science Integration in Literacy

On February 28th, the Study of Early Literacy 2, welcomed Dr. Gina Cervetti from the UM SOE.  Dr. Cervetti believes we (educators) should support the development of KNOWLEDGE (not just isolated skills) through extended investigations and experiences, units of study, and conceptually focused reading. By combining what we know about literacy instruction with the NGSS, knowledge building will be the focus, as it should be.  SOEL looks forward to working with Dr. Cervetti next year in writing science/literacy integrated units, in line with both NGSS and The Essentials of Instruction in Early Literacy. 

Join SOEL: 

• March 13, SOEL 1 welcomes Dr. Ernest Morrell on Every Child a Super Reader at EMU. 

• May 22nd, 23rd or 24th  at WISD as SOEL teachers showcase their learning from their year long SOEL Teacher Action Research. Contact Melissa Brooks-Yip if interested.

• August 1, 2, 3 SOEL Summer Institute  (Save the Dates, more info. to come) 

IDLL at Millcreek MS- Disciplinary Literacy and Inquiry Based Learning

On February 21, the Inquiry Into Disciplinary Literacy and Learning was hosted by member Melanie Dever at Millcreek Middle School. Melanie and Ethan from Huron HS, led us through a process of thinking about what it takes for teachers to teach disciplinary literacy (as opposed to reading and writing in the content area), that disciplinary inquiry is about constructing and communicating knowledge, and this instruction is defined as supporting students' specific literate practices in the discipline for the purpose of disciplinary inquiry. 

Join IDLL!

• March 22 as Huron High School hosts IDLL with guest Dr. Liz Kolb on Learning First, Technology Second. 

• May 17th at UM on the future of Disciplinary Literacy-contact Melissa Brooks-Yip if interested.  

• June 26 & 27 for the Disciplinary Literacy Summer Institute at EMU

March (and EVERY month) is Reading Month 

Are you looking for some new titles for YOU and the diverse readers in your classroom?  

Chinese New Year

28 More Black Picture Books that aren't about, Boycotts, Buses or Basketball

Favorite Read Alouds

Outstanding Science Trade Books

A Mighty Girl

34 Books by Women of Color

2018 Titles by/for/about Latinx

18 Most Buzzed about Middle Grade Books of 2018

Practicing Kindness

Like book lists?   Follow me on Twitter!    @melyiplit 

December

What Are We Reading? 

SOEL 2: Reading Instruction in Early Literacy

No More Reading Instruction without Differentiation by Lynn Bigleman and Debra S. Peterson.

In SOEL 2, where our focus is PreK-3 Reading Instruction, this text guides us in learning targets and performance tasks, student self assessment, project based learning goals and individual learning goals.  Teachers are taking their learning from this text and applying it to their teacher action research question around small group reading instruction in their classrooms.

IDLL: Inquiry into Disciplinary Literacy and Learning
Learning First, Technology Second: The Educators Guide to Designing Authentic Lessons by Liz Kolb

This text guides us in every discipline around the Triple E Framework for time-on-task learning, using technology for authentic learning experiences, appropriate tech integration and lesson planning.   Author Liz Kolb will join us in the next IDLL meeting on December 14th-  everyone is welcome.

Upcoming Professional Learning

Check out the many virtual courses offered now!  

November

Professional Texts in Literacy Networks

SOEL is reading Every Child a Super Reader

from Scholastic.com

Part of our professional learning networks involves reading at least one practitioner book per year.  This year SOEL 1, focused on Equity, Engagement and Motivation, is reading Every Child a Super Reader by Pam Allyn and Ernest Morrell.    

Every Child a Super Reader is geared toward K-8 teachers and is organized around a strength based framework, detailing the seven strengths inherent in super readers: belonging, curiosity, friendship, kindness, confidence, courage, and hope.  Listen to the authors speak on the importance of a strength based (vs. a deficit model) instructional framework.

SOEL and Responsive Mathematics is hosting Dr. Ernest Morrell again on January 18th at EMU. Everyone is welcome. See our flyer for details. 

IDLL is reading Argument in the Real World: Teaching Adolescents to Read and Write Digital Texts

From Heineman.com

Every day, our students are inundated by information—as well as opinions and misinformation—on their devices. These digital texts influence what they buy, who they vote for, and what they believe about themselves and their world. Crafting and analyzing arguments in a digital world could be our greatest possibility to improve dialogue across cultures and continents… or it could contribute to bitter divides.

IDLL hosted Dr. Hicks on October 26th to learn teaching strategies and tools for crafting arguments in our digital world, such as StoryMap.  Follow our learning here.

Upcoming Professional Learning