Early Literacy Interventions #2: Readworks.org

Resources.  We need them to be effective at what we do; we also need them to be easy and engaging for both student and teacher.  Which is why I am putting out this series of blog posts.  Every few days I am going to highlight a resource on our shared Early Literacy Interventions website to give you an idea of what's in it and how it can work.  Here's our website:

Today's post is looking at the free literacy website, Readworks.org.  This site is loaded with free articles, lessons, and resources addressing reading skills for grades K-6.  Readworks.org has Lessons and Units covering well-known novels, and Reading Passages to choose from.  Using their "search" function, you can narrow down the lessons/ passages to specific grade levels or for specific skills.
   One of the more advanced functions (also free) is the ability to register and save your lessons to an online binder for future reference.  Once you sign up, Readworks.org will also email you periodically with updates and articles dealing with reading skills, social studies/ science cross-curricular units, or article lessons dealing with National holidays.
  Readworks.org is a highly-engaging tool for finding quick small group or individualized reading passages for interventions.

I did a search for 4th grade, Cause and Effect skill passages.  The results included varied science-based articles in a range of lexiles.

Don't forget to bookmark our Reading Interventions Symbaloo page for easy reference.  If you have another website you'd like me to add, feel free to email or leave a comment below.

Early Literacy Interventions #1: Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading Tool

Resources.  We need them to be effective at what we do; we also need them to be easy and engaging for both student and teacher.  Which is why I am putting out this series of blog posts.  Every few days I am going to highlight a resource on our shared Early Literacy Interventions website to give you an idea of what's in it and how it can work.  Here's our website:

Today's resource can be found in the "red" section of the symbaloo page above.  It is the Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading search tool.  The tool allows you to search for reading intervention teaching videos in a variety grades and literacy categories.  Simply choose the grade, and the skill, then click "Show results."  Videos are short and show a teacher demonstrating the strategy in a small group.

Doing a quick search for alliteration and word awareness in 3rd grade gave a flash video showing a teacher using alliteration with a small group.

   Make sure to check out the FAIR search tool by clicking above.  Don't forget to Bookmark the symbaloo page above for easy access.
  If you have a site you'd like to recommend for our Symbaloo page, don't hesitate to email me or leave it in the comments below.

Teacher Leadership in Iowa- a Change, a Challenge, and a Chance

Now that all four of my districts have been approved to receive the Governor's Teacher Leadership and Compensation grant, I think it's important to put out some information for teachers interested in becoming teacher leaders.

How it works:
   The grant team in our district looked at numerous data points, reported needs, and student learning goals to develop leadership positions that can have a major impact on student achievement.  Since each district serves a unique population, TLC plans look different from one district to another.
   According to the TLC legislation, our team was to create enough leadership positions so at least 25% of the staff could potentially become a teacher leader.  This may range from being a member of a TLC Selection Committee, a District Leadership Team, or building leadership team, to being an instructional coach, technology integration coach, or curriculum and professional development leader.  Other positions include Model and Mentor teachers.
  Any teacher who is interested should speak with their building administrator.  Applications will be scored on a rubric, and interviews will be scheduled with the Selection Committee.  Ask your building administrators for more information on rubrics and how to apply.

Who should apply:
   The grant is for teachers looking to expand their role, learning, and influence on student achievement.  These positions are designed to equip and train teachers in best practice; you don't have to be the "best" or "most experienced" teacher to be qualified for a leadership position.  We're really looking for teachers that are willing to learn, lead, and try new and innovative best practice classroom teaching strategies.  You don't have to know or do the strategies already- just be ready to learn and collaborate on using a strategy.
   A common misconception is that teacher leaders will try and "fix" other teachers- there is no expectation for teacher leaders to do this.  Rather, teacher leaders will focus on students, improving outcomes for students, and impacting student learning.  No teacher leader will have evaluation responsibilities over other teachers.
   Every leadership position comes with plenty of training- mostly on Diane Sweeney's Student-Centered Coaching model for both K-8 and Secondary coaches.

What to expect:
  I'll be honest- no one in any of our districts has a clear-cut idea of what the daily tasks will look like for teacher leaders.  Since this is fairly new, we'll rely on your professionalism, passion, and excitement to impact student learning to help drive each leadership role.   The good news is that our District leadership teams can review the roles every year and adjust them as necessary.
   Every position will require extra time and effort- there's a stipend associated with each position to compensate your time.  It's quite possible you'll spend time working with students, presenting professional development, co-teaching, and heading to conferences and trainings.  Being in a leadership position definitely requires a growth mindset and a passion for working with teachers and students.
   At the end of each school year, teacher leaders will have an opportunity to reapply for the leadership position, or return to the classroom.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask me or your building administrator.  I'd really encourage those of you who are eligible to consider applying- especially if you are ready for a change, a challenge, and a chance to make a big difference for students.

For more information on the Teacher Leadership and Compensation grant in Iowa, including FAQs, CLICK HERE.

Why Teachers like Caine's Arcade (and it's not because of STEM)

     Caine's Arcade is a phenomenon in the innovative educational circles.  The video, about a young boy in Los Angeles who creates an "arcade" at his father's auto shop using only cardboard boxes and other items he finds, has captured teachers' imaginations at the prospect of passion-based learning for students.  The story is heartwarming; Caine pours his creative passion into making something he loves, shows it to a complete stranger, and soon an entire community rallies around the boy.  The echoes of this story include educational movements in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Genius Hour projects, Project/ Problem-based learning, and Passion-based learning.

     Teachers are scrambling to provide similar learning experiences for students by allowing them to choose their passion and learn everything they possibly can about a topic.  After all, teachers are a passionate bunch themselves and pour everything they have into bringing powerful learning experiences for their students. We seem to be on to something, too, with all the emphasis on non-traditional subjects like STEM and coding being funded and made a priority at the state level.  Grants and resources are popping up everywhere for teachers to create makerspace-type environments in their classrooms.  And the research says it's a good thing for kids.
     While all that is good and worthwhile, I'd like to to believe that the reason teachers love Caine's Arcade so much has nothing to do with STEM, Genius hour, or anything like that.  I want to believe teachers love Caine's Arcade because of this guy:

Nirvan Mullick, Filmmaker of Caine's Arcade

That's right.  He's the stranger that visits Caine and plays his arcade for the first time, inspiring the film and the desire to tell Caine's story.  He's the real reason there's a maker movement spreading like wildfire throughout American education.  He's also the inspiration for teachers in the movie.

You see, Nirvan brings an element to Caine's life that may have been missing- a chance to affirm his passions publicly and to inspire Caine to continue down this passion path.  Honestly, that's how I envision to role of our teachers- the people that recognize, affirm, and inspire kids to do great things.  The people that go the extra mile to publicly lift up a child in their passion and learning.  Don't we all want to be that person, or at least have a person like that rooting for us?

   Maybe that's the real story here- who do you have rooting for you, lifting you up, affirming what you are doing as valuable, important, and worthwhile?  Who reveals your purpose in every child's life?