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Welcome to Our Blog

Video: Debra’s Story—What does literacy mean to me?

September 21, 2020 Next month we're hosting the 31st Annual Literacy for All Virtual Conference, October 25-27 (Live + OnDemand).

To celebrate we’re featuring stories from educators who are passionate about literacy. Thank you Debra for sharing your story!

Tags: Latest News

A New Kind of Virtual Coaching Cycle

September 17, 2020 Stephanie Affinito, Literacy Teacher Educator, Literacy Coach, Author, Department of Literacy Teaching and Learning, University of Albany, NY

While content coaching cycles can never replace classroom coaching cycles, they offer new opportunities to partner together around shared teacher learning and can be an important first step to deeper, more intense collaboration in the classroom, either in-person or virtually.

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you…

September 2, 2020 Cindy Downend & Wendy Vaulton

Getting to know every child as an individual requires intention, observation, and inquiry. The fundamentals of good assessment still apply.

Are You Ready to Listen?

August 31, 2020 Heather Rodman, Literacy Trainer

As literacy coaches, we want to build relationships, empower teachers, and foster collaborative learning environments. So why do we often end up listening to respond instead of listening to understand?

Coaching in Challenging Times

August 26, 2020 Cathy Toll, Lead Consultant, Partnering to Learn, Menasha, WI

Savvy coaches see every interaction as a chance to build trust and “grow” a partnership.

Tags: Coaching

Keys to Assuring a Standardized Comprehension Conversation with the Benchmark Assessment System

August 5, 2020 Irene Fountas, Director

As you use the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System, consider these suggestions.

Tags: Intervention

The Softer Side of School Improvement

July 28, 2020 Wendy Vaulton, Assistant Director of Research

Soft data is a powerhouse for improvement because it gives an authentic, real-time look at what educators and students understand and can do.

Remote Learning: Communicating with Parents & Caregivers

July 22, 2020 Cindy Downend, Assistant Director, Literacy Programs

Communicating clearly and concisely about the supports parents and caregivers can provide to children is key.

Tags: Teaching

Choose Wisely! Qualities and Dispositions of a Literacy Coach & Teacher Leader

July 16, 2020 Cindy Downend, Assistant Director, Literacy Programs

Identifying an educator to train as a literacy coach is among one of the most important decisions a building principal has to make.

Text Levels – Tool or Trouble?

July 9, 2020 Irene Fountas, Director

Highly effective teaching provides a range of opportunities with different texts for different purposes.

Tags: Teaching

Upcoming Professional Development

January 9, 2025

Early Literacy Success: Building Language, Sounds, and Print Knowledge in PreK (Webinar)

This session will focus on how to provide rich, engaging experiences with language, sounds, and print in the PreK classroom.

Complimentary Webinar
February 11-12, 2025

Quick Tips for Test Prep: Supporting Your Students for Success! 

Are you working to support your students to excel on standardized tests? In this 2-day training, learn how to deepen students’ understanding of the demands of standardized tests so they can respond confidently and successfully!

$595
February 4 – 5, 2025

The New Benchmark Assessment System 2.0 (System 2, Levels K-Z)

Join us for this two-day institute to learn how to use BAS 2.0 to pinpoint student proficiencies and needs, including word-solving, fluency, comprehension and writing about reading, and examining how to transition from assessment to instruction.

$595

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