Early Literacy Matters

February 25, 2010

Songs, Word Play & Letters

Interactive Reading

Small Groups

Let’s Find Out About It & Let’s Talk About It

Morning Meeting

Center Time

ExpectationImplement Small Group time 4 x 4

Reflecting on Work PlanDescribe what shared reading techniques you

have tried. (PEER, CROWD, Interactive Reading)

Thoughts on OWL vocabularyHow did you use the vocabulary during

shared reading?Did you implement the vocabulary across the

curriculum or throughout the classroom? What differences have you seen in children

since you began implementing interactive read aloud?

Moving Forward

Think about when and how are you currently doing Small Group instruction in the classroom.

Overview of the DayReview Materials and HousekeepingDevelop Ground RulesDefine Small Group TimeWork in Small GroupsReflect on What Research Tells UsObserve Small Groups in ActionLunchBrainstorm ways to implement small groupDiscuss forming small groupsWrap Up and EvaluationsWork Plans

Ground Rules

Define Small Group

OWL Small GroupA regularly

scheduled component of the day

4-6 children with a teacher

Intentionally planned activity.

What makes Small Group successful?•Preparation of materials•Efficient transitions to and from Small Group•Timing that fits instructional goals•Clearly defined roles for teachers, teaching partners and children

Working in Small GroupsDivide into 10 small groups

of 5-6 people per group.Each group will be given a

problem to solve in the next 10 minutes.

Each group will be asked to report out their answer.

What Does Research Tell Us?Cooperation in small groups promotes

achievement and productivity and yields

strong social and attitudinal benefits.

- Yager, Johnson and Johnson (1985)

Small Group promotes cooperative learning by…increasing oral interaction between students:

Child to child interactions tend to occur more in Small Groups, and are unlikely to occur in whole class settings.

Small Group promotes cooperative learning by…increasing the number of interactive dialogues

between adults and children resulting in improved comprehension.

Small Group promotes cooperative learning by…

building upon the diversity of the grouppassive learners are more likely to benefitteachers provide more scaffolding children are given more time to respond and

explain their thinking.

Opportunities for literacy in Small Groups include…sharing books and re-reading favorite storiesmodeling reading behaviorstalking about letters by name and soundmodeling use of print in the environmentengaging children in playing with sounds and

wordsintroducing literacy-related play activities (e.g., at

Center Time)scaffolding children’s representation and writing.

Small Groups provide opportunities to observeand document what children know and can doin a systematic way.

strengthslearning stylelearning goals

Observing and DocumentingWatch the video clipList the language and literacy

skills you observedDiscuss with your neighbor how

you might use this information to inform future instruction.

LUNCH

ELM Goals for All ChildrenIncrease expressive and

receptive languageIncrease letter

knowledge and RANIncrease children’s

ability to segment words and sounds

Increase print awareness

Increase letter/sound correspondence

Progress MonitoringIdentifies strengths and

needsInforms instructional

practicesDocuments what a child

is able to know and do independently

Documents what a child is able to do with support

Resources for Collecting DataWork Sampling Alignment with OWLPortfoliosEvaluating Language & Literacy in Four Year

Olds: A Practical Guide for TeachersProgress monitoring recordsInformal assessment tools

Additional OWL Resources: Adaptations for English Language LearnersAdaptations for Children with Special Needs

Using Child Level DataHow can you use current data collection

systems to monitor student progress

on the ELM’s five goals for children?

Research Supports Assessment-Guided Instruction

Progress MonitoringUsing ongoing assessment information to guideinstructional decisions is a primary purpose of early childhood assessment and should be acomponent of a high quality early childhood program.

- NAEYC & NAECS/SDE (2003)

Effective Implementation of Small Group Requires…

Team commitmentDeveloping a system to ensure all children’s

participationProviding opportunities for children to revisit

Small Group activities during Center TimeEnsuring smooth transitions

- Circle to Small Group or Center Time

Remember that you can….. revisit small group

activities with individuals needing more support at the end of the week.

change small groups over time (flexible)

extend or revisit small group activities during center time and or an additional small group time.

Form small groups to:Extend conversations between and among

adults and childrenLearn more about all children’s strengths,

learning styles, and needsProvide opportunities for students to interact with

one anotherRevisit small group activities on Friday with

individual children who may need additional support

Moving ForwardCreate 4 small groups using your class rosterDetermine when and how your team will

implement small groupsDiscuss team member’s roles and responsibilities

related to implementing small groupsPreview OWL small groups and consider what

skills you will observe and documentDiscuss process for revisiting small group

activities in center time Provide additional support for children identified

as needing additional small group support

Work Plans: Documenting Continuous Improvement

What will your coach see and hear?

Major Goals of ELM CoachingImprove language and literacy outcomes for

all at risk preschooler via high quality, age-appropriate language and literacy instruction.

Provide model high quality language and literature rich classrooms

Increase teachers’ knowledge and skills in using SBRR practice.

Integrate ERF with community literacy programs to foster children’s language and literacy skills, enhance home support and coordinate the Program with Reading First.

Why develop and implement work plans?

Facilitate team communicationDevelop common goals and practicesPromote team reflection and discussions Document continuous improvementImplement professional developmentCelebrate growth

Effective teams establish:Clear goalsResult driven structureStandards of excellenceExternal supportRecognition

Work plans are a living documents

Coach follow-upRevisit work plans at next professional

development sessionBegin new work plan today Work with your teaching partner to set

goals for implementing: small groups, using data to inform instruction shared reading.

.

Evaluation

Thank you