literacy reform: supporting diverse learners one classroom at a time dr. barbara honchell -...
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Literacy Reform: Supporting Diverse Learners One Classroom at a TimeDr. Barbara Honchell - University of North Carolina WilmingtonDr. Sandy Jones - St. Andrews Presbyterian College
Background
Teachers need to have more understanding about various diverse populations of students toaddress discrepancies in student performance.
Diverse Learners are:
Those who do not learn like a “typical” child Not from the mainstream or majority culture Those whose home or native language or dialect is not that of the majority
Academic Descriptors of Diverse Learners
Linguistically diverseLimited English proficientEnglish language learnersExceptional children
Subgroups as defined by No Child Left Behind Legislation
Low SES Gender Race Exceptionalities ESL
The Definition is not as important
as the responsibility to teach ALL children
We cannot change the factors that create diversity,
we can only teach to support learning.
DATA from US Census ReportBetween 1970 and 1990 there were
more newcomers to the US than in any other time in its history
Projections suggest this trend will continue until 2050
The number of African American people living in the US has increased by 22%
The number of Hispanic people living in the US has increased by 58%
Schools belong to all children
Children Come to School Regardless of ….
GenderSESPhysical or
Mental Disabilities
We are obligated to fulfill our commitment to teach
all children
Teachers Need ….Knowledge of child developmentKnowledge of the literacy
understandings of each child Knowledge of instructional
methodsKnowledge of literacy practices
in students’ homes The capacity and discretion to
adapt instruction for each child
Leadership that offers high levels of support for both teachers and the school community
It Makes All the Difference
Classroom Literacy AssessmentActivity 1
Potential changes to support diverse learners
Use a different lens
A “REAL” SCHOOL in the Change Process: An Example
Demographics
K-5 School 193 Children Some White Some Black Some Hispanic Some Economically and
Educationally Disadvantaged School-wide Title I
Principal’s Journal
Journal Entry 1
“I’m wondering how I can teach all of them when it seems they are all so different?” (Teacher)
Journal Entry 1 continued….
“I immediately saw the reason for concern as I observed 22 children.” (Principal)
Observation
• 2 Identified for Exceptional Children
• 3 Students Language Deficient• 2 Who received speech services• 5 Who wanted help from the
teacher• 1 Who couldn’t sit still• 4 Who finished working very
quickly• Others who were “typical”
Journal Entry 2We talked at length…
Three Ideas for Change:
A clearly defined block of uninterrupted literacy instruction
Small Group Instruction For ParticularPurposes
Individual Conferences To Monitor Progress
NEW PLAN
New Focus
Journal Entry 3
Focus of discussion
• Power of Assessment• Push In vs. Pull Out• Professional Learning• Differentiated Materials• Early Intervention
A Vision for Literacy Instruction for all Children
Quality Classroom Instruction
ProfessionalDevelopment
Early Intervention
ResearchResearchAssessmentAssessment
DataData
Journal Entry 4
The Word Spreads
Colleagues Visit
Collaborative Planning
Sharing Ideas
Experts at work
Essential Considerations
School communities responsive to academic diversity will not happen at random, by default or haphazardly (Tomlinson, 1999)
Focusing on academic diversity is both demanding and complex
Even with thoughtful planning, change:
Disrupts a sense of comfortDisturbs routinesRequires work
Responsive Leadership Helps Others Work through the Passages of Change
Classroom Literacy Assessment
Support needed to implement changes effectively
Change Promotes
Problem Solving Creativity Development of New Practices Professional Growth
It all comes down to risk-taking!
Academic Diversity: The Focus for Every Aspect of School Life
As each learner enters school, there must be caring teachers and leaders to embrace their diversity, meet their needs, and work together for an enriched school community. ( Honchell & Jones, 2008)
Resources
Honchell, B. , & Schulz, M. (Eds.). (2007). Literacy for diverse learners: Finding common ground in today’s classrooms. Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon.
Honchell, B, & Jones, S,. (2008). Compelling reasons for school change. Pennsylvania Reads, Vlll(ll), 14-21.
Note: All photos are clipart