MARESA Monthly: February 2023 Edition

 

💗FOR THE Love of Reading & Writing💗

spotlight on the essentials 

With March is Reading Month just around the corner, I thought I’d do a little plug to remember to connect all the “fun” to the Literacy Essentials - the 10 research-based, highly supported classroom practices that should be incorporated every day in every classroom in order to make a positive difference in children’s literacy development. I’m highlighting some below. If you’re interested in reading all of them, click HERE. 

Essential 1 is all about motivation and engagement (which is the overarching theme of reading month)

Bullet 1 - create opportunities for children to see themselves as successful readers and writers.

Bullet 2 - provide daily opportunities for children to make choices in their reading and writing…

Bullet 3 - offer regular opportunities for children to collaborate with peers in reading and writing…

Bullet 4 - help establish purposes for children to read and write beyond being assigned or expected to do so…

Bullet 5 - use additional strategies to generate excitement and avoids incentivizing through non-reading-related prizes…

Essential 2 is all about read alouds! (This is the perfect time to incorporate all voices and backgrounds into your classroom.)

Bullet 1 - use sets of texts, across read aloud sessions, that are thematically and conceptually related and that offer opportunities to learn that children could not yet experience independently (Read on below in the “For the Love of All” section for an exciting project I’m working on!)

I would love love love to come in as a guest reader/author during March is Reading month and lead an interactive read aloud. Whole school, grade level, individual teacher. 

Essential 3 is all about small group instruction using a variety of grouping strategies (Hello author study or interest based groups)!

Bullet 1 - ensure that children use most of their time actually reading and writing (or working toward this goal in K and 1st)

Essential 4 is all about phonological awareness (for grades K and 1 and as needed thereafter)

Bullet 1 - listen and create variations on books and songs with rhyming and alliteration 

Bullet 5 - provide daily opportunities to write meaningful texts in which they listen for the sounds in words to estimate their spellings (WE SHOULD NOT BE TELLING K and 1st GRADERS HOW TO SPELL WORDS!! This is not supporting their development as writers.)

Essential 5 is all about explicit instruction in letter - sound relationships (however we know that explicit instruction in general is beneficial)

Essential 6 is all about writing 

Bullet 1 - provide interactive writing experiences in grades K and 1 

Bullet 2 - provide daily time for children to make choices in their writing

Bullet 3 - instruction in writing processes and strategies

Bullet 4 - study models of writing and write for a variety of purposes and audiences

Bullet 5 - explicit instruction in letter formation, spelling strategies, conventions, and keyboarding

Essential 7 is all about building vocabulary

Essential 8 is all about making sure we have abundant reading material and reading opportunities in the classroom

Bullet 1 - a wide range of books and other texts (print and digital)

Bullet 2 - books and other materials connected to children’s interests and that reflect children’s backgrounds and cultural experiences, including class- and child-made books

Bullet 3 - books children can borrow to bring home and/or access digitally

Bullet 4 - comfortable places to read

Bullet 5 - opportunities for children to engage in independent reading of materials of their choice every day

Essential 9 is all about observation and assessment

Essential 10 is all about collaboration with families

Let us know how we can support you with any of the essentials above! 

💗FOR THE Love of learning💗

always growing 

Check out the FREE, self paced, informative Literacy Essential learning modules provided by Michigan Virtual. You’ll receive FREE SCECHES for each module you complete. The Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy  were developed by the Early Literacy Task Force, a subcommittee of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA) General Education Leadership Network (GELN), which represents Michigan’s 56 Intermediate School Districts.

MARESA LETRS NETWORK - Mark your calendars for February 13 and March 13!

The MARESA LETRS NETWORK supports teachers in Cohorts 1, 2, 3, or 4 to solidify and extend their LETRS professional development by offering time and space for teachers to connect together. We'll meet from 9-3. Lunch is provided. 

HERE is the direct link to register on Wisdomwhere.

💗for the love of all💗

maresa Dei lending library coming soon!!!!

Although February 1 technically marks the start of Black History Month, we believe Black History and incorporating all voices into the classroom is something that should be happening every day. 

As Vera Ahiyya, the author of Rebellious Read Alouds: Inviting Conversations About Diversity With Children’s Books explains, using rebellious read-alouds in the classroom “provides an opportunity to explore deeper conversations around diversity.” Using thoughtfully selected picture books within a safe, positive, nurturing environment will encourage students to think deeply, build bridges, and celebrate the rich diversity within every individual. Ahiyya’s book is vetted by the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA) and is a resource that all Michigan literacy coaches are being encouraged to use in their districts.

One of the ten rights within the International Literacy Association’s Children’s Rights to Read states that “Children have the right to read texts that mirror their experiences and languages, provide windows into the lives of others, and open doors into our diverse world.” These rights apply to all children, not just children with parents who understand the necessity or know where to find such books, but every child, in every classroom, every day. 

Knowing that rural America is becoming more diverse and the students we teach will likely move to more urban areas with significantly more diverse populations, it is imperative that we prepare them for the world they will enter. Using books that have a diversity, equity, and inclusion focus is just one powerful way to do just that. 

We are so excited to let you know that we were recently approved to begin the wonderful work of building a lending library of culturally responsive texts that will provide mirror, window, and sliding glass door experiences for teachers and students alike. Every lesson and picture book is linked to the ELA Common Core Standards, the Social Justice Standards, and of course the Literacy Essentials. We look forward to using these materials in classrooms as we work together to prepare our students to be successful, productive and responsible citizens. All teachers will have access to the books and resources and be able to check them out for use in their classrooms. 

We are working on creating a virtual library with links to the books and other materials to guide classroom instruction. Over time, we will develop digital model lessons of the read alouds and share them on our website to increase access and support even more teachers. Additionally, we will be adding ideas revolving around diverse and culturally responsive texts to our monthly newsletter. Before we begin the work, we will have open conversations with administrators to clarify the learning intentions behind the books and lessons. 

Our belief statements at Marquette-Alger RESA are as follows:

• All learners deserve the opportunity to reach their potential.

• Change is necessary to meet the emerging needs of learners and communities.

• Collaboration and innovation are keys to success.

• Communication and a healthy exchange of ideas are essential.

• We must recognize, promote, and model effective education systems.

We believe in the power and potential of this work and believe even more in the potential of the youth that we serve. Who’s ready to lead the change? Who’s excited to collaborate? Let’s do this! 

💗For the love of coaching 💗

Praise from teachers

It's time to get a little personal and go out of my comfort zone into my "stretch zone." It’s been a wonderful journey into my role as a literacy coach. I’m still figuring things out and trying my best to make the biggest impact that I can. While there is plenty of “behind the scenes” work that needs to be done, my favorite part of this job is working with YOU! It's been a joy working with such welcoming teachers all over both counties. Thank you for opening your doors and being so welcoming. Here are a few quotes from teachers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. I'd love to work with even more of you. Reach out any time with questions or if you'd like to work together on a regular basis.

“For the past few months, Chandra has been coming into my room every Tuesday for a little over an hour. She has been working with my kids during centers and has done many different activities with them, from reading them books, helping them form their letters correctly, working on creative writings, or even just sitting and getting to know them. My students have grown to love her and look forward to every Tuesday morning when they get to work with Mrs. Ziegler, and I love our Tuesday even more knowing my students are learning some great skills working with Chandra.”

-Kindergarten teacher

“It was a joy to hear the energetic sharing.”

-Instructional coach

"I am very grateful to Chandra and the support she has provided me both inside the classroom and out. Chandra has been able to provide me with many different and adaptive ways to teach writing to my students. Meeting with her has helped me feel more comfortable in my ability to develop engaging lessons for my students. Chandra was willing to come into my classroom to teach a short lesson so I was able to see a different perspective. Overall the entire experience has been extremely helpful and I highly suggest reaching out to Chandra! "

-4th grade teacher

"Chandra was been such an enormous help to myself and our district. She is more than willing to help with your literacy needs/struggles. She brings fresh perspective coming into classrooms and schools, along with a large knowledge base for what’s best for student learning. She has overly extended herself; delving into our curriculum, offering personal resources, one on one coaching, and remains flexible while reminding teachers and staff she is there for support (without judgement)."

-4th grade teacher

💗for the love of free stuff💗

because we love you

And now for your reward for sticking with me this far! Here is a compilation of FREE resources to help support or enhance your curriculum and instruction. It’s organized by Essentials, but of course there is going to be some overlap. This is a work in progress, “live” document that I will periodically update when I find something worth sharing.

💗Go! Go! Gaby!💗

Interactive Presentations

Can you believe we will soon be celebrating 100 days of school? I'm sharing a Google Slides/Pear Deck you can use in your class.  The Pear Deck add-on allows you to create interactive presentations by adding features like drag-and-drop, drawing, or writing for your students to participate.

After you make your own copy, follow the instructions on the slideshow.