Talladega Reports

by Becky McKay

Our hard work this summer (retreats, grade level meetings and use of quarterly planning protocols) is paying big dividends. People are getting the surface structure work as well as deep. Children are engaged and teachers are begging for more! Embedded staff development is now running in both schools. Literacy team meetings are a scheduled priority with protocols, agendas and documentations. Children are using the language of deep and surface structures, and are reading, reading, reading! All the coaches have their rooms looking and operating more in line with the literacy framework; and each coach has undertaken extensive work with one "buddy teacher." Book studies are underway; all teams are working the Parent Plan and Literacy Plan. One work describes the whole experience----awesome!

Charles H. Lake School

by Kathy Francescani

Everyone at Charles Lake is excited about the beginning of a new school year. We’ve rolled out the Framework during our first Cornerstone meeting and everyone has committed to delve into creating a culture of rigor, intimacy, and inquiry in their classrooms. Living Language is our focus for the month of September. Classroom environments are looking good! Colorful curtains being hung, books frenzies are taking place, and routines and procedures are being established with the focus on creating classroom communities conducive to rigorous literacy learning. The children are eager to learn and the teachers are ready to teach!

The coaches have recruited three teachers to join them in establishing model classrooms and piloting the strategies that are being taught. This team represents grades one, two and three. The members meet weekly to plan and discuss what’s working and what needs to be adjusted during crafting sessions. After “trying out” these lessons in their respective classrooms, the team then presents the focus for the following month to the other teachers in the building offering their expertise and assistance. This model encourages teachers to visit each other’s classrooms while building capacity within the building.

A guided reading library has been established with monies received from the Ohio Reads Grant. The coaches are leveling books for teachers to use during guided reading sessions. These books begin at the early emergent level and extend through the upper grades. The books include fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, as well as books on audiotape. The library will be accessible to all of the teachers in the building.

Charles Lake is in gear for a great year! We’re ready to go, from the Cozy Cornerstone Corner that greets our children when they arrive to the rigorous crafting sessions occurring on classroom carpets. Leaps in literacy are sure to take place at Charles Lake this year!