Learning Lab Classrooms Chrissy Gettle, Margie Owen, Leslie Parish Dallastown Area School District 2007

What is a Learning Lab? A classroom where the components of the Comprehensive Literacy Model are in place A classroom where seamless literacy instruction is planned throughout the day, across all subjects A classroom where children are engaged in meaningful literacy tasks (reading, writing, speaking and listening) throughout the day A classroom where we can try new methods/materials and the teacher is always learning

What is a Learning Lab? A classroom where teachers can visit to see the balanced literacy framework in action, make connections, and learn from each other A springboard for problem-solving discussions and discussions about how children learn

A Learning Lab is NOT: A “perfect” classroom Exactly how every classroom needs to look or sound

Setting up a Learning Lab We observed the Learning Lab classroom to become familiar with the teacher and students and the routines in place We completed a Comprehensive Literacy Classroom Environment scale which focuses on the routines, materials, assessments, and teaching in the classroom

We had discussions with our Learning Lab teachers about what a Comprehensive Literacy Classroom looks like We set goals and decided on our roles in the classroom We modeled components when necessary, observed teaching, and had many discussions with the teachers

After our initial Learning Labs were established, we also spent 2 weeks in other classrooms focusing on one aspect of the Balanced Literacy and the Comprehensive Literacy Model We model lessons in other classrooms when asked; observe lessons and coach teachers, and help with teacher resources

Visiting Procedures We developed procedures for Learning Lab visits: Visitors request to visit Learning Labs through the building Literacy Coaches. A pre-conference is held with a Literacy Coach before the visit (the same day). During the pre-conference a focus for the visit will be determined The visitor takes notes in reference to the focus for the visit A post-conference is held with the Literacy Coach in order to discuss the observation, reflect on new learning, and determine how the information can be used in his/her own teaching

Observations do not have to be limited to the teachers’ own grade level Observations will not last for entire reading blocks or for an entire day; we are aiming for short, meaningful experiences