This inspiring book shows how K-12 teachers, literacy specialists and coaches, and school-and district-level administrators can work together to make needed instructional improvements while fostering a lifelong love of reading and writing. The book presents collaborative leadership strategies and research-based best practices for creating joyful, effective learning environments. It includes ways to evaluate and recalibrate literacy programs for sustainable change, provide students with a wide variety of engaging reading opportunities, meet the needs of English learners and adolescent learners, partner with families, and enhance professional learning and development. Teacher-friendly features include practical tips and "Stop, Think, and Take Action" sections in each chapter. Several reproducible forms can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.
Contents Chapter 1 Shared Literacy Leadership: Getting Involved 1 on Behalf of All Readers and Writers What the Research Says about Shared Literacy Leadership 2 Begin with the End in Mind: Welcome to the Exemplary Literacy Day 11 Take the Time to Build Consensus 14 Conclusion 15 Stop, Think, and Take Action 15 Chapter 2 Engaging and Joyful Literacy Leadership 17 What the Research Says about Engagement and Joy 17 Protecting Children's Rights to Read 22 Examples of Sparking a Schoolwide Joy for the Work Ahead 23 Conclusion 28 Stop, Think, and Take Action 28 Chapter 3 Telling Your School or District's Literacy "Story" 31 What We Know about Telling Your Literacy "Story" 32 Evaluating Your Current Program with an Honest Eye 32 Conclusion 39 Stop, Think, and Take Action 39 Chapter 4 Rethinking Professional Development and Professional Learning Communities: Teacher-Centered Opportunities for Authentic Buy-In 47 Knowledgeable Literacy Partners: We Can and Must Do Better for Our Kids 47 Driving Change through Flexibility, Personalization, and Practicality 50 Opportunities for Hands-On Design 55 Designing the "Dream" Professional Development Plan: A Call to Action 56 Conclusion 58 Stop, Think, and Take Action 59 Chapter 5 Recalibrating Literacy Programs: What Makes the Best 61 Learning Environment? Recognizing What Makes for the Best Learning Environments 61 Culture and Climate 62 Conclusion 73 Stop, Think, and Take Action 74 Chapter 6 Recalibrating Literacy Programs: What Works 75 for Early Literacy? Foundations for Early Literacy Instruction 75 Conclusion 88 Stop, Think, and Take Action 90 Chapter 7 Recalibrating Literacy Programs: What Works 91 for Adolescent Learners? Reading on the Decline 91 Falling in Love with Words: Don't Forget Vocabulary 92 Supporting Readers with Sustained Engagement 95 Step into the Classroom of Nicole Mancini, Middle School Literacy Teacher 100 Conclusion 102 Stop, Think, and Take Action 103 Chapter 8 "Eyes Lit Up With Joy": Advocating for Multilingual Learners 105 Establishing an Asset Mindset 105 Fostering a Welcoming Sense of Belonging for Multilingual Learners 106 Conclusion 116 Stop, Think, and Take Action 116 Chapter 9 Family Literacy 119 Students' Rights to Integrated Support Systems 119 Family Literacy 120 Conclusion 126 Stop, Think, and Take Action 128 Chapter 10 New Literacies and Technology 129 New Literacies for Our Future 129 Getting Digital with Mentor Texts 130 Promoting Collaboration through Technology Tools 132 Conclusion 138 Stop, Think, and Take Action 140 References 141 Index 147
