Lakeshore Alliance for Student Success

Lakeshore Alliance for Student Success, Inc.

Balanced Literacy Instruction Course

This course will begin during 3 days in the summer (9:00 am – 4:00 pm) with follow–up during the fall semester. Teams should be made up of 5-8 members including the building principal (mandatory), at least 1 teacher per grade level (K-5), and the reading and/or special education teacher when appropriate. Teams will be identified ahead of time and a survey will be sent to them so that their prior knowledge and understanding of balanced literacy can be assessed. The presenters will use this information to help in planning the workshop. Location is to be determined.

Learning Goals Participants will:  Develop an understanding of the LASS plans for the literacy coach.  Develop a common understanding of a balanced literacy program.  Learn and be able to implement specific comprehension strategies across a balanced literacy program.  Analyze their own teaching and reflect on their impact on student learning.  Learn management procedures and techniques.

Tentative Schedule for the Summer Workshop Day 1:  Introduction including overview of LASS and the LASS plans for the literacy coach.  What is balanced literacy?  What is comprehension?  Developing comprehension through read alouds. Day 2:  Developing comprehension during guided reading.  Managing the classroom during guided reading. Day 3:  Developing comprehension through writing.  Team planning time.

 Teams will develop a plan for how they will support one another and meet as a team before the first fall workshop.  Teams will select a book to read and discuss together before the fall workshop.  Teams will select comprehension strategies that they will use in their classrooms before the fall session.  Form Learning Communities and discuss readings related to balanced literacy topics. Course Designers: Ms. Teri Crussen, Suki Glasser, Lori Fanello and Dr. Cindy Fontaine.