Summer PD

Today was the first of many professional development days I have planned for myself this summer.  I went to "Designing Literacy-Rich Classrooms That Support the Common Core" with Dr. Kimberly Tyson.  It was my first video conference style PD.  She gave us her definition of Literacy-Rich Learning Classroom:  "A literacy-rich classroom is one where students are surrounded by a print-rich environment and have multiple opportunities to engage with authentic texts for a variety of purposes throughout the day.  From the atmosphere and decor of the room to interactions with peers and teachers, every element of a literacy-rich classroom is designed to motivate students to explore the elements of literacy."

I took some notes and want to put my thoughts down to help myself better myself and to improve on myself and my teaching.

Top 10 Characteristics of a Literacy-Rich Environment;

#1 my classroom needs an area to read and write that is comfy for 4-6 students that provides browsing, reading, writing. 

I have both a reading area and a writing area in my classroom but my writing area is only set up for two students to work at.  But I feel I can improve on this by providing writing materials in all centers throughout the room.  Same as reading materials.

#2 Using Anchor charts:  I have uses some anchor charts in my classroom but Tyson gave 3 questions to ask myself about them....1. "Was it developed with students?" 2.
Was it posted to be accessible to students?" 3. Is it a record of student thinking?"

If I keep these three questions in mind will help get better use out of my anchor charts.  Also the question of how to store these charts for students to have access to was brought up and one idea I liked was taking a picture of your anchor charts, print them off on 8 x 10 paper and place in a clear shelve and then place them in 3 ring binders (for ex have a math anchor chart book, etc etc)

#3 Content posters can visual clutter if not referenced too. 

I don't use many of these. So many I need to look at this more.

#4 Displaying student work  should be representational of students showing progress not just the perfect ones.

I display all student work. My organizational charts have moved to being used on the Promethean board freeing up clutter and space and not distracting students.  Trying to remember simple is better on bulletin boards.  She mentioned explaining work in the hall way for parents and others to understand what they see and why the students are doing the work that was asked of them.  I do this.  I connect what we read to the activity for others to know why we did it and also using the standards we are covering as well.

There were several great ideas I loved to do in our school hallways. (Promoting Literacy in the hallways) 1.  Placing clips on the lockers to display that students work.!!!!!!Love this idea.  2. Posting student work or projects in the library for all others to see.  3. Having a voc bulletin board that is interactive with the students. And 4. A Graffiti Wall.  There are 3 white boards that the principal or other person posses questions for the students to respond to.  This changes about every week. I really love this idea.

#5 Student Engagement allows time for students to talk, verbalize information.  If they know the information they can talk about information.

#6 Word Walls ...can be alphabetical, using kid's names, words with pictures.  Making it easliy readable, students can help make.

The ideas I like on this I might try or older grades can do is color codes words like blue for all nouns, red for all verbs etc etc of color code by subjects.  I also liked  having a student generated word wall with a word vine and this would go great with my garden theme in my classroom.  Students add words to the word vine they learn.  I need to remember to use Spanish and English on the same word card.

#7 Labeling the classroom....create with students and connect speaking, listening, writing etc.  

We should label items throughout the school to spread learning beyond the rooms.

#8 Apps. online tools that support student learning.....using digital media  she gave a few sights to try out and also mentioned twitter.  Using Twitter to connect or follow others in education as well as meeting once a month to join groups to talk about things.

#9 Classroom Libraries....40-50% should be fiction books, 40-60% should be nonfiction, and 5-10% should be reference books. 

I would like to add menus, maps, and magazines to the class library.

#10 Independent Reading builds fluency, increases voc, and builds background knowledge.