K-2 Professional Courses on Effective Literacy Instruction
Research-based online courses designed to support highly effective literacy instruction
Instruction that aligns with the science of reading is demanding. It requires teaching phonics, phonemic awareness, background knowledge, vocabulary, and the ability to make connections and inferences. And teachers need to differentiate instruction for students with widely varying levels of preparation. It takes a skillful balancing act to incorporate all of these elements into each literacy block. Two online courses support K-2 teachers with these challenges: Effective Literacy Workstations and Developing Student Discourse.
Professional Learning Offerings Now Available
Course #1
This nine session course prepares teachers (and their coaches) to develop the routines and instructional practices that will maximize student learning during literacy centers or workstations.
Course #2
This eight session course helps K-2 teachers (and their coaches) develop the discourse norms and practices that will increase rigor and student ownership of their learning.
Throughout these courses, teachers will be able to:
- see what effective practices look like in real classrooms at all three grade levels
- hear from exemplar teachers about how and why they put those practices in place
- understand how to troubleshoot and respond to challenges
- try practices out in their own classrooms
Each course also has an additional session specifically for Coaches, including a comprehensive Coaching Guide.
Why the Courses Work for Districts
Support early literacy instructional practices that are challenging for most teachers, especially new and novice teachers
Rich in classroom video examples at all three grade levels
Complement any core curriculum
Can be completed either asynchronously or in collaborative teams
Flexible integration into district PD or teacher preparation programs
Actionable, classroom-centered learning
Also available:
Word Work Station Kits
Grade-specific materials with differentiated activities each day of the week for the first 100 days of the school year
Discourse 5x8 Card
Observable “look fors” that allow coaches or administrators to easily identify features of high quality discourse