| Collaborating to advance literacy learning |  |
| Transforming Literacy Learning
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- Authors bring literature, lessons to L.A. schools
Literature for Life, an online magazine and arts salon, is bringing relevant literature to the schools of South Los Angeles. The website features the work of authors paired with original, downloadable lesson plans designed to meet California's core curriculum standards. "We want to make students realize that literature isn't something that's staid or that you have to do to get into college, but something that's necessary, absolutely necessary to the human spirit," novelist Jervey Tervalon, one of the site's founders, said. Los Angeles Times(tiered subscription model)
(6/8)
- Middle-school students in Md. learn through filmmaking
A middle-school teacher in Maryland says students enrolled in a documentary film course are learning "without realizing it." Students select a topic, study and tell a story on film -- helping them develop skills in literacy and research. Students also learn to use filmmaking equipment and technology. No matter the skill level of the filmmakers, educators say all students' films are celebrated and shown. The Sun (Baltimore)
(6/9)
- Can flipping the classroom work in low-income school districts?
Many teachers who have used the flipped instruction method in their classrooms say the strategy produced more opportunities for individualized instruction, increased student engagement, improved classroom behavior and higher test scores. Some educators, however, question whether the technology-dependent practice might widen the achievement gap between low-income students who lack reliable computer access and their wealthier peers. Others have found ways, including grants and program modifications, to overcome those obstacles. The Hechinger Report
(6/12)
| Literacy Everywhere
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- Closing the "book gap" changes students' worlds
Arkansas teacher Justin Minkel in this article describes the outcome of the 1,000 Books Project, in which each student in his class of 25 second-graders set up a home library and stocked it with 40 free books. Closing the "book gap" for his mostly English-language learners who are living in poverty allowed them to grow -- both academically and personally -- in unexpected ways, he writes. "To help kids develop a love of reading, put great books in their hands. Then watch in amazement as their worlds change," Minkel writes. Education Week Teacher (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org)
(6/12)
- How to teach students about digital writing
 In this blog post, Jeff Grabill, a professor of rhetoric and professional writing, suggests ways in which digital-writing instruction can be improved. This writing often is collaborative, such as that found on platforms such as Wikipedia or Facebook, and there are various digital resources available to make writing easier, Grabill says. The fundamentals of writing instruction, however, remain the same, including the use of direct instruction and practice and revision, he writes. Edutopia.org/Jeff Grabill's blog
(6/11)
- Library program encourages adults to read during the summer
Utah's American Fork Public Library for the second straight year is offering a summer reading program for adults. Readers who participate in the Between the Covers program can choose from two challenges. The first asks participants to read at least 10 books between June 1 and August 31. The second -- Blackout Bingo -- calls for them to complete nine reading tasks such as reading to someone else. Public-service librarian LaRee Parkinson says they hope the challenges might be that little push that encourages people to try something new this summer. The Daily Herald (Provo, Utah)
(6/10)
| Education Policy
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- Ariz. district split over new middle-school English curriculum
The Gilbert, Ariz., district governing board last week approved the purchase of new English language-arts books for grades 6 to 9. According to district officials, the books, which focus on nonfiction and align with Common Core State Standards, offer a rigorous curriculum with standardized assessments and annual professional development. Some teachers and parents, however, say the curriculum is too easy, doesn't include enough novel reading and contains propaganda and material not appropriate for middle-school students. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix)
(6/8)
| Leadership and Capacity Building
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- Teachers design a new plan for Pittsburgh turnaround school
The new design plan that Faison K-5 in Pittsburgh will begin fully implementing this fall was developed by the school's teachers. In what the district's head of school performance, Jeannine French, called a "true teacher empowerment model," teachers worked together during the past school year to establish priorities, study educational strategies and visit successful schools. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
(6/11)
| Professional Learning
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- PD workshops encourage communication, collaboration
Teachers in the Ogden School District in Utah are participating for its second year in summer workshops and conferences to share their ideas for developing new programs to implement in the classroom. Working collaboratively has contributed to successes at two elementary schools, where test scores have improved in the past two years, says superintendent Brad Smith. Standard-Examiner (Ogden, Utah)
(6/7)
| NCLE Spotlight
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Collaborative inquiry differs from traditional professional development
In "Taking Inquiry to Scale: An Alternative to Education Reform" (in development), Michael Palmisano discusses the differences between collaborative inquiry and traditional forms of professional development. Read on.
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Learning begins with a good question
Read about the Eastern Michigan Writing Project Teacher Research Group, which includes teachers from across the grade levels, elementary through college, who have voluntarily come together to explore questions about their own practices of teaching and their students' learning. Read on.
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 | Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice."
--William Shakespeare,
British playwright
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