"Professional learning communities (PLCs) support educators in generating stronger instructional practices and progressing student learning. Due to the large literacy gaps in students' education, the teaching and learning of literacy is a major concern of these collaborative teams. In Reading and Writing Strategies for the Secondary English Classroom in a PLC, authors Daniel M. Argentar, Katherine A. N. Gillies, Maureen M. Rubenstein, and Brian R. Wise provide grades 6-12 English language arts (ELA) teachers effective strategies to combat these literacy concerns and improve students' skill development. This book aims to prompt conversations on how to approach literacy development with the goal of promoting academic growth for all students-both struggling and advanced. By reading this book, secondary ELA teachers will discover practical methods to improve students' literacy skills and learn how to build a culture of collaboration"--

With the advent of the Common Core State Standards and high expectations with regard to content literacy, some secondary teachers are scrambling for what to do and how to do it. This book provides an accessible plan for implementing content literacy and offers 20 research-based literacy strategies designed to help students meet those standards and become expert readers.

A bold, brain-based teaching approach to culturally responsive instruction To close the achievement gap, diverse classrooms need a proven framework for optimizing student engagement. Culturally responsive instruction has shown promise, but many teachers have struggled with its implementation—until now. In this book, Zaretta Hammond draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction. The book includes: Information on how one’s culture programs the brain to process data and affects learning relationships Ten “key moves” to build students’ learner operating systems and prepare them to become independent learners Prompts for action and valuable self-reflection

Confidently lead early literacy improvement in your professional learning community (PLC). Aligned to the Every Teacher Is a Literacy Teacher series, this results-focused guide outlines how to take urgent action to address deficiencies and increase literacy rates. Learn how to bring a new level of focus to your teacher teams and help them do the important daily work of ensuring every student successfully reads and writes at or beyond grade level. Understand the importance and goals of literacy-focused instruction in an elementary setting. Gain specific suggestions for four types of leaders: (1) district, (2) school, (3) coach, and (4) teacher. Help collaborative teams emphasize literacy knowledge and reading and writing skills in a curriculum's essential standards. Create effective data-inquiry practices that inform team decision-making about interventions and extensions. Facilitate high-quality literacy instruction using the gradual release of responsibility framework. Develop equity in literacy instructional strategies to ensure growth and development for all. Contents: Introduction: Leaders of Literacy Chapter 1: Establish Clarity About Student Learning Expectations Chapter 2: Examine Assessment Options for Literacy Chapter 3: Create a Learning Progression to Guide Instruction and Assessment Chapter 4: Develop Collective Understanding of Learning Expectations Chapter 5: Respond to Student Data to Ensure All Students Learn Chapter 6: Design Lessons Using the Gradual Release of Responsibility Instructional Framework Chapter 7: Plan for High-Quality Instruction in Literacy Chapter 8: Select Appropriate Instructional Strategies Chapter 9: Consider Equity in Literacy Epilogue Appendix A: Reference Points, Templates, and Tools Appendix B: List of Figures and Tables References and Resources Index

Practical and rich in resources, this book provides a roadmap to monitoring, evaluating, and implementing effective literacy instruction in grades PK-12. Designed for district and school leaders as well as literacy coaches and consultants, this book contains all the strategies, guidance, and tools you’ll need to monitor the effectiveness of literacy instruction in your school or system. Top literacy experts Angela Peery and Tracey Shiel share concise, well-researched information about how to identify enriched literacy environments, what constitutes well-designed literacy lessons, and the components of effective literacy programs at each grade level. Chapters cover reading, writing, speaking and listening, as well as collaboration, technology, and more, and offer adaptable strategies for different environments. Tools such as checklists and conversation frames are included to help busy leaders and administrators effectively monitor literacy instruction and provide constructive, thorough feedback to teachers. Each chapter features: Check-Up Tools to review documents and observe instruction Check-In Tools to guide your conversations and feedback given to teachers Reflective Questions for system and school leaders and instructional coaches.

Prepare students to succeed with increasingly sophisticated reading and writing challenges. Designed for teachers of grades 4-5, this resource helps readers address the pivotal shift in learning expectations that occurs during the upper elementary years. Myriad templates, tools, and strategies are included to support collaborative teams as they work to establish a rich and robust plan for quality literacy instruction, assessment, and intervention. Use this resource to inspire fourth- and fifth-graders to excel in reading and writing: Understand the role PLCs and collaborative teams play in literacy development and reading comprehension strategies. Obtain strategies and tools, such as the pre-unit protocol, for unpacking and clarifying literacy standards. Explore adaptable, research-based instructional strategies, and learn how to plan high-quality literacy instruction that boosts student reading and writing skills. Examine the four components of the gradual release model--(1) focused instruction, (2) guided instruction, (3) collaborative learning, and (4) independent learning. Observe how to collaboratively score assessments and conduct effective data inquiry and analysis. Study the powerful impact literacy has on student engagement and inclusivity. Contents: Introduction: Every Teacher Is a Literacy Teacher Chapter 1: Establish Clarity About Student Learning Expectations Chapter 2: Examine Assessment Options for Literacy Chapter 3: Create a Learning Progression to Guide Instruction and Assessment Chapter 4: Develop Collective Understanding of Learning Expectations Chapter 5: Respond to Data to Ensure All Students Learn Chapter 6: Differentiate Instruction With Gradual Release of Responsibility Chapter 7: Plan High-Quality Literacy Instruction Chapter 8: Select Appropriate Instructional Strategies Chapter 9: Consider Equity in Literacy Epilogue Appendix A: List of Figures and Tables Appendix B: Templates and Tools Appendix C: Process for Prioritizing Standards Appendix D: Depth of Knowledge Overview Appendix E: Essential Understandings and Guiding Questions References and Resources Index

Accelerate learning with high-impact strategies. Beginning and veteran teachers alike will find insights and practices they can use immediately. The authors dovetail their proven instructional process of chunk, chew, check, change with before-, during-, and after-reading strategies in this must-have guide for powerful literacy instruction. No matter what content area you teach, this book will help you develop the strategic reader in every student. K–8 teachers who are interested in high-impact teaching strategies will: Learn how to incorporate the literacy triangle's three points—reading, discussing, and writing—into instruction for any subject Cut through the conflict caused by the reading wars and gain clarity on the science behind effective, well-rounded literacy instruction Help students enjoy reading, gain comprehension, and build reading stamina Get differentiation ideas for scaffolding and enriching each strategy using best practices in literacy instruction Discover how to engage students in opportunities for making meaning, choosing texts, and leading discussions Understand how setting a student's purpose for reading can encourage focus, engagement, deeper conversations, and a motivation to keep reading with literacy strategies Contents: Introduction Part 1: Planning for Quality Literacy Instruction Chapter 1: Teaching Literacy Effectively Chapter 2: Choosing the "Right" Text Chapter 3: Using the Literacy Triangle to Drastically Improve Literacy Part 2: Implementing Quality Literacy Instruction Chapter 4: Preparing for Success--Before Reading Chapter 5: Staying Focused on the Goal--During Reading Chapter 6: Consolidating With Discussion and Writing--After Reading Chapter 7: Bringing It All Together Conclusion References and Resources Index