This Is Balanced Literacy (SDOC Elementary Reading Institute)

This workshop will focus on helping teachers build a strong literacy foundation for all students in grades K-6. Reading vs. writing instruction. Small-group vs. whole-group instruction. Direct vs. dialogic instruction. How are you supposed to balance all of your students' learning needs while getting through all the curriculum you need to cover? The answer: by taking a balanced literacy approach. To create the perfect balance of high-impact learning experiences that engage and excite learners, teachers must be intentional in the design of learning activities, select instructional materials comprised of both informational and narrative texts, utilize evidence-based teaching methods, and be strategic in groupings of students based on assessment data. Dr. Olivia Amador will work with teachers in this session to maximize their teaching and students' learning experiences within their classrooms. One session will be geared toward primary classrooms, and the other will focus on upper elementary classrooms. Participants will each receive a copy of the text This Is Balanced Literacy by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and Nancy Akhavan. You will need to have that book available for this session.