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The Six Ts of Effective Elementary Literacy Instruction

We studied teachers found to be particularly effective in developing reading and writing proficiency. Over the course of the study, however, it became clear that the teachers we were studying developed academic proficiencies well beyond higher reading and writing achievement test scores (though the evidence we gathered did demonstrate that these teachers did produce significantly better standardized test performances as a matter of course).

It used to be that my students learned to write by writing on paper. Sometimes they wrote in notebooks and sometimes they wrote on single sheets, but no matter how they wrote, I was the intended audience. In most cases, I was the only person who ever saw that writing. Sometimes their parents would take the time to read through their notebooks and papers as they came home or at the end of the school year. Sometimes they would read their writing aloud to the class. But in most cases, unless I posted their writing on a bulletin board in the hallway, a very limited number of people had access to that writing. Wow! Has that changed! Now, my students regularly write on their blogs, not just for me, but also for their parents, grandparents, other relatives, friends and potentially the whole world to see. When they write a tweet, they have the potential of all of our Twitter followers seeing what they write, and since many of our followers are classroom groups, that number is potentially far higher. Not exactly the same as writing in a notebook. Their audience now exists in places they have never been and may never visit.

Best Practices: Elementary Tech Teachers DPS Elementary Technology Teachers Best Practices Getting Started Developing Highly Effective Technology Lab Instruction Teacher frequently implements the components of effective technology instruction including: A mini-lesson based on the DPS Information Literacy and Technology Proficiencies. Independent work time Teacher regularly implements the components of effective technology instruction including: A planned mini-lesson based on the DPS Information Literacy and Technology Proficiencies. Independent work time based on a classroom project developed in collaboration with the students� classroom teachers. Closure at the end of each work session that includes defining next steps and work the students need to continue and bring to the lab during their next session. Teacher routinely implements the components of effective information literacy and technology instruction including Mini-lessons that are focused and appropriate and which support student understanding of elements and strategies for specific ILT proficiencies.  The lessons are developed in collaboration with the students� classroom teachers and are project based and contain clear expectations and information necessary to improve the students� work. Independent work time which provides opportunities for students to work with clear intentions and purposes and to try the strategies and skills presented in the mini-lessons.  Students work individually or in small groups, as dictated by the needs of the project at hand. When students are working independently, the teacher confers with students or meets with small groups, focusing on the intended learning from the mini-lesson.  Closure at the end of the session includes reflective discussion on the part of the students re: what they have learned , in addition to defining next steps and the work the students need to continue and bring to the lab during their next session.

revalence of technology in children's daily lives requires parents and teachers to master new literacies, including keyboarding, word processing, Internet research skills, multimedia production, and social networking. Technology is proving to be valuable in support of effective reading and writing instruction, universal access to instructional materials, assessment, professional collaboration, and home-to-school communication.

Keynotes, Workshops & ConferencesI have been a presenter and keynote speaker around the world on a variety of topics in the areas of 21st century modern teaching and learning, heutagogy, blogging as pedagogy, personal learning networks, digital storytelling, world language teaching, presentation design,  visual literacy and globally connected learning. Learn More Blended Coaching ModelSchools are struggling to keep up with the demands of curriculum design and upgrades to prepare students for modern skills and emerging literacies. Professional Development needs to offer opportunities for teachers to transform traditional experiences and redefine their own learning and in consequence their teaching practices. Learn More Webinar & Video ConferencesFor a cost effective alternative to bringing in a consultant, consider inviting me to support your teachers online. I am available for online 1:1  coaching, small group or large group professional development in the areas of modern teaching & learning.

To teach a child, who is using photographs or objects as his visual representation system, to understand black/white line drawings, place a small black/white picture communication symbol in the corner of the various objects/photographs currently used by the child. Gradually increase the size of the picture communication symbol until it eventually covers up the entire photograph/object.

When any visual representation system is used, it is important to combine it with a written word, as many children with autism exhibit a high interest in letters and words, and some even become early readers. Therefore we should continually enhance the child's literacy skills by also providing the written word with any type of visual representation system.

Why use interpreters? Interpreters can enhance communication between school staff and school community members. Schools have a responsibility to use interpreters as indicated by the ESL/ESD Progress Map 2009, Curriculum Framework 1998, the Anti-Racism Policy 1998 and the State Government Language Services Policy. Interpreters can assist in the collection of relevant student background information from parents/caregivers so that school communities can provide appropriate educational programs.

Home Teachers Parents Kids

Teachers

lace computers where they are available throughout the day

Effective use of the Smart Board technology can without question quickly produce increased student interaction and engagement with specific instructional material and can have lasting benefits on the classroom dynamic and cognitive development of the middle school age student population

In the 21st century not only do most K-12 students have or are in the process of acquiring technological literacy, but concurrently the use of technology has become the central focus of their lives

While the classroom should not become simply a conduit for students to further immerse themselves in technology, the classroom should not pretend technology does not exist as well