PS 29 Literacy Evening

May 2016

What do you want to learn about? ● Let us know what you’re curious about● What burning literacy-related questions do you

have?● Go to http://padlet.com/lbrunski/literacy and post

your questions

What We’ll Cover● PS 29’s approach to literacy ● A brief overview of the reading and writing units of

study● The workshop model as it relates to reading and

writing● Word study/grammar

PS 29’s Approach to Literacy● Balanced Literacy philosophy and origins

○ Affiliation with Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading & Writing Project

● Emphasis on differentiation● Alignment with Common Core State Standards

(CCSS)○ http://www.corestandards.org/

Balanced Literacy● Interactive Read Aloud● Shared Reading● Reading Workshop● Writing Workshop● Interactive Writing● Word Study

Reading & Writing Units of Study● Variety of genres

○ Fiction, nonfiction● Variety of styles

○ Expository, narrative, persuasive, poetry● Skills- and strategy-based teaching woven throughout● Many units repeat across grades● Planning & assessing within each unit

Reading Workshop● The workshop model● Structure of a mini-lesson● Independent reading time● Reading levels

○ Independent vs. instructional

○ Decoding + fluency + comprehension (literal and inferential)

Reading Levels: what’s the deal?

Writing Workshop● The workshop model

○ Active Engagement○ Role of Shared Writing

● Independent writing time● The Writing Process

○ Related tools

● Publishing

Writing Workshop● The Writing Process

○ Related tools

Word Study & Grammar● Stand-alone phonics and grammar instruction● Lower grades

○ Fundations program

● Upper grades○ Words Their Way○ Explicit grammar instruction based on CCSS○ Sentence dictation

● Role of word study and grammar in Reading and Writing Workshop

Literacy and the Home-School Connection

● Importance of reading with your child○ To or with or alongside

● Prompts/Questions you can use to engage your growing reader or writer○ See handout!

● Sanctity of the writer’s notebook● Transparency around real-world writing examples