Cornerstone Initiative

Cornerstone Video

The Story of Cornerstone as it began in the year 2000.

How the “Brits” do it! A “crafting lesson” is reinforced during “composing meaning” as students practice what has been taught, by extending the meaning of text. Conversation is encouraged as the teacher confers with groups and individuals.

Cornerstone Leadership

School and district leaders from across the Cornerstone network discuss the impact of Cornerstone and the importance of leadership in its success.

Cornerstone Literacy Block

Third grade students experience elements of the literacy block as they explore use of sensory images to enrich reading comprehension, deepen their understanding and make connections to various genre.

Creating An Effective Learning Environment

An interactive video shows how a classroom environment is further developed into an effective learning community.

A Coaching Model

Observe a coaching snapshot of how two kindergarten teachers share and manage a classroom and lead literacy learning with colleagues.

Videoconferences:

Closing the Achievement Gap - Sonia Nieto: May 2008: Focus Group: Profoundly Multicultural Questions
Dr. Nieto explores ways to avoid “disadvantaging” children, already disadvantaged by poverty and race. Highlighted are questions we should ask to ensure equity and access for all.
Standards to Success - Dr. Mark O'Shea: May 2008: Focus Group: From Standards to Success
Dr. O’Shea focuses on standards-based assessment, what it looks like and how it is different from conventional assessment. Strategies for effective professional development are explored with practical classroom application.
Knowledgeable Other Series: Pat Paugh: January 2008: Struggling Readers Focus Group II:
Pat Paugh is joined by teachers from Harris Elementary School to explore a deeper understanding of instructional practice that has maximum impact on struggling readers who do not fit the mold. International Reading Association links are included.
Knowledgeable Other Series: Pat Paugh: March 2008: Struggling Readers and the Achievement Gap Focus Group III
Pat Paugh, co-author of A Classroom Teacher’s Guide to Struggling Readers, builds a deeper understanding of instructional practices that make a positive impact on struggling readers particularly in the area of fluency for upper grade students and writing in first grade.

Knowledgeable Other Series: Pat Paugh: Sept 2007: Struggling Reader Focus Group I
Harris Elementary School, Springfield, MA is host to this session that addresses tough questions for moving away from a deficit-based approach. The challenges of struggling readers are discussed and conversations focus on ways to allow time and flexibility for children who require specialized attention.
Video used in Knowledgeable Other Series: Sept 2007
Knowledgeable Other Series: Stripling: Nov. 2007: Connecting Science, Literacy and Inquiry
Barbara Stripling co-editor of Curriculum connections Through the Library and contributor to School Reform and the School Library Media Specialist addresses the achievement gap through equitable access to inquiry-based curricula. Be sure to view the video used with this focus lesson: November 2007.
Video used in Knowledgeable Other Series: Nov. 2007
Knowledgeable Other Series: Williams: Dec. 2007: Closing the Achievement Gap – Belinda Williams Belinda Williams counsels school leaders on the difference between "improving achievement and closing the gap."
Phonics Videoconference: Kevan Collins: Oct. 2006

Meetings:

Curriculum Targets in Action - Institute 2006: Monica Forty – Tower Hamlet, London
This Summer Institute session “From Good to Great” and “From Strategy to Impact” builds skills in writing curricular targets to improve teaching and learning.
Write the World: Spread the Word - Institute 2006: Monica Forty – Tower Hamlet, London
Participants explore how to encourage student conversation and learn why talk and first-hand experiences are essential for good writing.
Lesson Study: Reading Reflection - Institute 2006: Andrea Frasier guides students through the literacy block to illustrate how lesson study encourages student conversation and exploration.
Lesson Study: Writing Crafting - Institute 2006
Lesson Study: Composing Meaning - Institute 2006
Libraries: The curriculum potential - Institute 2006: Barbara Stripling, is co-editor of Curriculum connections Through the Library and contributor to School Reform and the School Library Media Specialist. Participants are guided through steps to develop school libraries as the heart of literacy learning and Inquiry. A power point for this session is available in the archives for Summer Institute 2006.

Hot Seating - Institute 2006: An 8-minute clip of a class using “hot seating,” which is a means for finding out significant details about an important character. Students use questioning to delve into the life of Phillis Wheatley.
Vocabulary - Regional 2006: Craig Woollard, professional developer for Tower Hamlet, London. Non-fiction is used in this session as a genre to develop good student talk and extend vocabulary, speaking and listening.
There's No 'F' in Phonics: Kevan Collins shows how phonics should be “fast, fun and ambitious.”

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