March

SOEL Explores Sound and Rhthym in Early Literacy Learning

Through our SOEL at WISD collaboration with the University Musical Society at UM, teaching artist Marcia Daft demonstrated Sound Writing- Exploring Rhythm, Reading and Writing.  First graders at Perry ELC in Ypsilanti participated in rhythm activities for identifying syllables in classmate's names, and ease of movement for classroom transitions. 

Marcia then came to our SOEL meeting at WISD to work with teachers on incorporating rhythm into reading and writing in the classroom.

Celebrating March is Reading Month  

    Our friends at EMU's Campus and Community Writing (C2W) are celebrating March is Reading Month and the connections between reading and writing. Students, teachers, and family members are encouraged to conduct interviews with each other about their reading habits—and write up what they discover.  You can use the interview questions linked HERE to get you started.  If you share your writing with EMU C2W, along with signed permission forms, they will publish the pieces on their website and even select a few to be featured in their social media platforms. 

Spring Professional Learning Opportunities

March 13th- Instructional Agility to Foster Student Investment 

Join the Assessment Literacy and SOEL Networks in learning more about how to structure learning environments that better allow teachers to accurately assess and respond to student learning and make real-time decisions that foster student investment. Educators will be able to identify the classroom conditions to set up instructional agility and student investment, describe key components of instructional agility, learn key strategies for developing student investment through instructional agility, reflect on current instructional agility and student investment practices to determine next steps. 

FREE at WISD - Register HERE 

March 14th- Responsive Teaching Institute

Join all network teachers in learning about applying culturally relevant pedagogy across content areas. Participants will examine how the integration of content areas can further engage students in learning. 

Presenters include:

Dr. Laura Jimenez on selecting culturally responsive books 
Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz on critical English education, Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, racial literacy in urban teacher education.

Dr. Dorinda Carter Andrews- the role of leadership on culturally responsive schools 

Dr. Donna Ford, Culturally Relevant Teaching in AP, Honors courses 

Dr. Sandra Crespo, Culturally Responsive Teaching mathematics   

FREE at EMU- Register HERE

May 1- Overview of Essential Instructional Practices in Literacy, Grades 4 & 5

This is a one day overview of the Grades 4&5 Essential Instructional Practices in Literacy . Teachers, literacy coaches, or administrators who seek a general overview or a refresher are welcome.  

FREE at WISD- Register  HERE

May 9-  Overview of Essential Instructional Practices in Literacy, Grades K-3

This is a one day overview of the Grades K-3 Essential Instructional Practices in Literacy . Teachers, literacy coaches, or administrators who seek a general overview or a refresher are welcome.  

FREE at LESA- Register  HERE

October

Literacy Professional Learning is off to a Strong Start!

K-3 educators in the Study of Early Literacy (SOEL) had their first meetings of the year to:

• Look at the history of SOEL, now in our sixth year (timeline to come!) 
• Write a Personal Syllabus to create a learning plan for the year.

• Learn more about Teacher Action Research with Dr. Cathy Fleischer-  Slides of Webinar 1: https://tinyurl.com/y7wyf9oj  Recording of Webinar 2: https://tinyurl.com/ycp6cfnu  Join us for Webinar #3 OCTOBER 17th at 4:30 https://zoom.us/j/996767546 

• Choose a book to study, including:
• Reading, Writing and Talk
• No More Culturally Irrelevant Teaching
• The Literacy Teacher's Playbook
• Interactive Writing K-5
• No More Reading Instruction Without Differentiation
• Every Child a Super Reader
• Information in Action
• Assessment for Reading Instruction
• If you'd like to know more about SOEL, ask a teacher in your district, or attend a SOEL meeting- see our schedule of dates. 

The Inquiry into Disciplinary Literacy and Learning (IDLL) Network met at Saline High School for our first meeting to examine the new Essential Practices for Literacy Instruction in Secondary Classrooms, for which we are a pilot group this year.  Our study includes:

• A Personal Learning Plan
• Book Studies:
• No More Telling as Teaching
• Investigating Disciplinary Literacy
• Teaching Argument Writing in grades 6-12
• Continued consultation with UM and EMU on disciplinary literacy. 

Upcoming Professional Learning

Register HERE for the Responsive Teaching Institute 

November 14 at EMU

(SOEL & IDLL teachers, e-mail Melissa for a discount code) 

June

SOEL Teacher Research Presentations

On May 22, 23, 24, Study of Early Literacy teachers presented their year long action research projects around an aspect of their early literacy instruction aligned to the Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy.  

SOEL impacts teacher motivation and engagement in improving literacy instructional practices.

You can see all teacher presentations HERE and view snapshots of many in the video below. All SOEL teachers and their colleagues should be proud of the work SOEL teachers have done and presented this year! If you are interested in joining SOEL, attend SOEL SI August 1, 2, 3!

IDLL Practices in Disciplinary Literacy 

Inquiry into Disciplinary Literacy and Learning teachers and guests spent the day on May 16  digging deeper into disciplinary literacy practices in social studies, science, math and ELA.  IDLL will continue work next year by aligning current lesson plans and building new units specific to disciplinary literacy.  If you are interested in joining IDLL, come to our summer institute!  

April

Dr. Ernest Morrell on Building Powerful Family-School Literacy Connections

On March 13, we welcomed Dr. Ernest Morrell back for a third session this year on Every Child a Super Reader.  This time, Dr. Morrell led participants through a thoughtful planning session on building and sustaining school-family literacy.
                     

Upcoming Learning Opportunities

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!  

April

 Diverse Books in your Classroom

 We Need Diverse Books helps educators identify books and other materials that reflect children's backgrounds, personal and cultural experiences.  Visit the WNDB site for lists of books and where to find them.   WNDB also offers grants for educators! 

Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities

SAVE THE DATE! MAY 20-22, 2017

The 2017 4T Virtual Conference will be held on May 20, 21, and 22.  Register HERE

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June 27, 28, 29, 2017 at EMU Student Center

This workshop will help you become part of the school reform conversation as you learn to develop your own personal stories into a public narrative. By day three, you'll have an action plan to take back. Register here.  Facilitated by Dr. Cathy Fleischer, co-director of the EMWP and author of Teachers Organizing for Change. 

July

Summer Reading for Educators

We share summer reading lists with students to keep them reading over the summer, but what about educators?  There are lists for you, too!  Education Closet's Summer 2015 Reading List has suggestions for professional learning, pleasure reading, family reads, and a look ahead to titles for your classroom next year.  

What are you reading this summer?   Share your titles in the comment section.   

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Summer Professional Development

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Echoes and Reflections:  Holocaust Education

August 27, 2015   8:30-3:30 at WISD

FREE and open to ALL Social Studies teachers in grades 6-12  

SCHECHS available

Lunch not provided

Echoes and Reflections is a comprehensive Holocaust education program that delivers professional development and a rich array of resources for middle and high school teachers. Echoes and Reflections prepares educators to teach about the Holocaust in a way that stimulates engagement and critical thinking while providing opportunities for students to see the relevance of this complex history to their own lives.
See more information HERE 

REGISTER HERE

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Fall 2015 Professional Development