Geneseo's literacy instruction methods in the Elementary School have drastically changed over the past 8 years since Mr. Mark Linton became the school principal. Before Mr. Linton, the literacy instruction was comprised of a variety of instructional and assessment methods, no one teacher using the same program. Therefore, as children moved through the grade levels, it was difficult to share and track the students' progress. Once Mark became principal and Kelly Sattora was hired as the Director of Learning (3 years later), much of the focus was on creating a unified curriculum and assessment program for the school. This allowed for a lot of conversation with the teachers and administration and a common goal to be developed. The teachers were given the opportunity to really think about what they needed and wanted in order to provide authentic literacy instruction to their students. More importantly, trust was gained between teachers and administration.
Now:
Geneseo's instruction now focuses on having a balanced literacy framework of reading, writing, listening and speaking, and vocabulary and word study. Comprehension is the main goal of this literacy framework. In the primary grade levels, the teachers achieve this goal through the following instruction methods:
Guided Reading Framework/Model (each teacher has his or her own kit)
4 formal assessments per year
Continuous informal assessments throughout the school year
Writer's Workshop
Units of Writing (grades K-2) by Lucy Calkins (alligned with Common Core Writing Standards)
Teaching the Qualities of Writing (grades 3-5) by Ralph Fletcher
Word Study (K-3)
Fountas & Pinnell
Grouping Strategies:
Small homogenous groups by guided reading level
Whole group ELA time (shared reading/writing instruction)
AIS grouping (homogenous by guided reading level or skill level)
Whole group and small group word study
Writing Workshop happens whole group, but student conferences occur by similar needs or individually throughout the year
Independent reading (teacher driven; students chose from classroom library or book baskets designed by teacher that provoke individual interests)
Independent conferencing
Whole group shared reading experiences
Reading Response Logs
Journaling/Writer's Notebook
Technology
Geneseo has a major focus on technology to aid instruction and learning. Each room is equipped with a Smart Board that the students read E-books on and the school has iPads, iPod Touches, and Chrome Books for the students to use. Students use these devices for educational games and skills.
The Literacy Instruction Methods of
Geneseo School District
Then:
Geneseo's literacy instruction methods in the Elementary School have drastically changed over the past 8 years since Mr. Mark Linton became the school principal. Before Mr. Linton, the literacy instruction was comprised of a variety of instructional and assessment methods, no one teacher using the same program. Therefore, as children moved through the grade levels, it was difficult to share and track the students' progress. Once Mark became principal and Kelly Sattora was hired as the Director of Learning (3 years later), much of the focus was on creating a unified curriculum and assessment program for the school. This allowed for a lot of conversation with the teachers and administration and a common goal to be developed. The teachers were given the opportunity to really think about what they needed and wanted in order to provide authentic literacy instruction to their students. More importantly, trust was gained between teachers and administration.
Now:
Geneseo's instruction now focuses on having a balanced literacy framework of reading, writing, listening and speaking, and vocabulary and word study. Comprehension is the main goal of this literacy framework. In the primary grade levels, the teachers achieve this goal through the following instruction methods:
Guided Reading Framework/Model (each teacher has his or her own kit)
4 formal assessments per year
Continuous informal assessments throughout the school year
Writer's Workshop
Units of Writing (grades K-2) by Lucy Calkins (alligned with Common Core Writing Standards)
Teaching the Qualities of Writing (grades 3-5) by Ralph Fletcher
Word Study (K-3)
Fountas & Pinnell
Grouping Strategies:
Small homogenous groups by guided reading level
Whole group ELA time (shared reading/writing instruction)
AIS grouping (homogenous by guided reading level or skill level)
Whole group and small group word study
Writing Workshop happens whole group, but student conferences occur by similar needs or individually throughout the year
Independent reading (teacher driven; students chose from classroom library or book baskets designed by teacher that provoke individual interests)
Independent conferencing
Whole group shared reading experiences
Reading Response Logs
Journaling/Writer's Notebook
Technology
Geneseo has a major focus on technology to aid instruction and learning. Each room is equipped with a Smart Board that the students read E-books on and the school has iPads, iPod Touches, and Chrome Books for the students to use. Students use these devices for educational games and skills.