[LIT] "... Addressing Middle Level Literacy"

[Ginny White]

On Nov 14, 2006, at 9:49 PM, Bill IVEY wrote:
>> When schools create professional communities in which English, math,
>> science, and social studies teachers collaborate with and support each
>> other in delivering the most effective interdisciplinary instruction
>> possible, students thrive.
>
> What do you think of these opinions - do you agree, partially agree,
> disagree? What is your school doing along these lines that has been
> successful?

Bill, interestingly at my school our principal created Reading 
Partnerships this year, wanting us to do more collaboration with and 
support of each other across the curriculum.  At FCTE in October, Doug 
Fisher presented, showing us his school's literacy program.  It was the 
right stuff at the right time.  Since then, we have purchased a copy of 
his book (Improving Adolescent Literacy: Strategies at Work with Nancy 
Frey) for all teachers and are using it as a book study in our 
partnerships.  Doug's group took a failing high school in San Diego to 
become a 90/90/90 school (90% free/reduced lunch, 90% minorities, 90% 
at or above proficiency on standardized achievement tests).  It's 
Hoover High School (their "staff development" plan is on their web 
site, I think - I have it at school).

Here are a couple of key points from the book:  "We maintain that 
literacy must become the responsibility of the whole school.  ... we 
believe every secondary teacher can assist in the literacy development 
of adolescents.  ... All these high achieving schools shared another 
important element--they stick with their plans.  These schools are not 
lurching from one fad to another - they are consistent.  ... In other 
words, it is not a program, a set of books, or a box of materials that 
creates a high achieving school.  IT IS ALWAYS THE TEACHERS WHO MATTER, 
AND WHAT THEY DO THAT MATTERS MOST."

The book is set up around their 8 strategies and gives examples for 
every subject area, including some for electives.  It is very 
user-friendly.

So far at my school we have adopted three strategies that all teachers 
use weekly in some way; we instituted this before knowing about 
Fisher's work.  We are now using the book as a foundation for 
discussion in our partnerships.  We also are talking about how each of 
us models the importance of reading - from the PE teachers to the 
language arts teachers.  It's too early to know any results but so far 
there is productive and honest communication occurring in the 
partnership groups - we are having "reflective conversations" and 
learning more about what actually happens in each other's classrooms.  
More sharing of resources is also occurring.

Ginny White
Fernandina Beach Middle (FL)