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| Eye on Leadership | Spotlight
on Literacy Walking the Line The Tight Rope of Inquiry, Science, and Literacy by
Rebecca McKay Over the years things change, stay the same, or blend the two conditions. In thinking about Cornerstone, the one thing that has remained constant and unchanging is the Cornerstone definition of literacy: “To read, to write, to think critically, to reason, to analyze and evaluate information, to communicate effectively in a variety of forms, and to inquire systematically into any important matter.” This year I set a personal learning goal to investigate the Cornerstone definition of literacy as a means to deepen my vision for how it might look instructionally. Cornerstone Literacy Fellows, the Muscogee County Cornerstone coaches, and I are working to construct this vision for the network at the 2008 Winter Conference. We are seeking to make connections between inquiry, comprehension strategies--particularly questioning, and the integration of science and literacy. At present, we are wrestling with how best to guide the Lesson Study on Friday, February 1st, support the demonstration teachers, and lead students to the intersection of science, inquiry, and literacy. Walking a fine line between knowing the intersection of literacy, inquiry, and questioning must be tackled and wanting to be safe in our instructional choices, the Literacy Fellows and I continue to read and research the most succinct instructional methods for this process. This difficult stage in the planning process for the 2008 Winter Conference means moving away from the familiar and safe. There is no choice about the direction we must lead as far as content. The world is changing for our children and a bold path is required. Furthermore, the most respected literacy researchers are proving what we already know. |
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