Parents as Literacy Partners Glen Rock Public Schools December 6, 2012 Christine Lagatta, Educational Consultant

Balanced Literacy Curriculum All units support the Common Core Standards in English Language Arts. Skills build from year to year to prepare students for test taking, middle school, and beyond. The units of study are consistent across grade levels and elementary schools.

Overview of the New Common Core State Standards - Writing Emphasis on 3 Types of Writing: Narrative Writing Opinion / Persuasive Writing Informative / Explanatory Writing

Overview of the New Common Core State Standards - Writing Emphasis on: The writing process The quality of student writing Writing across all content areas

Overview of the New Common Core State Standards – Reading Emphasis on: Reading Literature Reading Informational Texts Reading in the Content Areas High Level Comprehension Skills Analytical Reading Skills

Teacher Support with the Balanced Literacy Curriculum Summer curriculum planning Ongoing staff development Professional resources - Units of Study from Columbia University - Schoolwide Writing Units of Study Ongoing planning across the school year

A Workshop Approach to Balanced Literacy Encourages stamina and good habits of reading and writing Exposes children to a variety of genres Fosters independence Teaches students the steps of the writing process Teaches students ways to think, talk, and write about books Builds confidence and enthusiasm towards literacy

What Really Matters for Readers Students need to read a lot. Students need books that they can read with accuracy, comprehension, and fluency. Students need to develop thoughtful literacy.

Students Need to Read a Lot Practice matters. Studies show what students who read for a minimum of two hours a day perform highest on standardized tests. Achievement Percentile Minutes of Reading per Day Words per Year 90th40.42,357,000 50th ,000 10th1.651,000

Students need books that they can read with accuracy, comprehension, and fluency. Accuracy of 90% Toni XXXX guided them down the XXXX. Expecting some XXXX hole, Mattie was surprised to see wide XXXX and even some smaller XXXX flowers. “Come on, I know where your size is,” said Toni, XXXX her way through the racks of clothes. “What do you want to get?”

Students need books that they can read with accuracy, comprehension, and fluency. Accuracy of 95% Toni XXXX guided them down the XXXX in the basement. Expecting some XXXX hole, Mattie was surprised to see wide aisles and even smaller XXXX of flowers. “Come on, I know where your size is,” said Toni, XXXX her way through the racks of clothes. “What do you want to get?”

Students need books that they can read with accuracy, comprehension, and fluency. Fluency My father’s voice sounds so close even though I know how far away he is. “I just wanted to call to wish you a happy first day of school. I only wish I could be there with you.”

Students need books that they can read with accuracy, comprehension, and fluency. Fluency My father’s voice sounds so close even though I know how far away he is. “I just wanted to call to wish you a happy first day of school. I only wish I could be there with you.”

Students need to develop thoughtful literacy. Ways to think, talk, and write about books: Summarize Analyze Infer Interpret

Students need to develop thoughtful literacy. He put down $10.00 at the window. The woman behind the window gave $4.00. The person next to him gave him $3.00, but he gave it back to her. So, when they went inside, she bought him a large bag of popcorn.

Parents as Literacy Partners: Ways to Help Children Help put books into their hands. Promote a love of reading. Build reading rituals in your lives. Make the reading environment at home pleasurable. Help children manage their reading lives.

Parents as Literacy Partners: Ways to Help Children Encourage your children to finish one book at a time. Build reading lives around passions. Find series, authors, and genres your children love. Read aloud to your children.

Parents as Literacy Partners: Ways to Help Children Share your own reading lives with your children. Talk about books with your children. Encourage your children to read fiction and nonfiction books. Expect your children to read over the summer.

Parents as Literacy Partners: Ways to Help Children Provide opportunities for your children to write at home. Have writing materials available. Show an interest in what your children are writing at school and at home. Show your children how writing is a part of your life.

Parents as Literacy Partners: Ways to Help Children Share family stories. Practice storytelling with your children. Talk about ways writers generate ideas. Ask, “What are you working on as a writer?” Remind children to reread their writing. Find ways to make writing a part of life at home.