December 2022
Happy Holidays!
Wow...and just like that we are closing out 2022! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and looking forward to the holiday season- and with it a new year.
Our Early Literacy/ Dyslexia team has had a busy month and have several new opportunities that we hope you find interesting as we move through December and into winter. Please take the time to register for some of our sessions- whether it be the in-person middle/ secondary PD around the state OR a virtual webinar by an incredible researcher on language acquisition and dyslexia, Dr. Suzanne Adlof. We would love to see you there!
If you have specific needs for professional learning regarding implementation of structured literacy in your classroom, please send me an e-mail at ELitDyslexia@ksde.org and I will do my best to address your specific questions and/ or needs.
Please share this newsletter widely and let me know if I can help you in any way,
Yours in education,
Laurie
LAST CHANCE In Person to Register: 90 Minute Literacy Block Party
Friday, December 16, 2022
hosted by Mankato, KS School District # USD 107
303 N. West St., Mankato, KS 66956
8:30 - 2:30 in Mankato, KS
presented by Hailey Hawkinson, KSDE Teacher Leader Consultant
Bring your curriculum and see how it aligns with recommendations for your structured literacy instructional block!
Two wonderful opportunities to learn from Dr. Suzanne Adlof!
Mark your calendar and register HERE
For additional information regarding her research and writing see
Dr. Suzanne Adlof, University of South Carolina
January 11, 2023 5:00 - 6:00 pm + 30 minute question session after! via Zoom
The Language Basis of Literacy: Word Reading, Comprehension, and Writing
This 1-hour webinar will (a) describe the oral language skills that are foundational to reading and writing development; (b) describe the language and cognitive profiles of students with dyslexia or developmental language disorder; (c) explain how the relationships between foundational language skills and reading performance change across the school grades; and (d) discuss the value of directly measuring language skills in all students as part of screening and progress monitoring for reading and writing.
January 25, 2023 5:00 - 6:00 pm + 30 minute question session after! via Zoom
Measuring and Supporting Language Skills to Increase Reading Comprehension and Writing Aptitude
This 1-hour webinar will (a) provide the rationale for assessing language skills to understand students’ reading and writing performance; (b) discuss the importance of supporting language development for children with reading and writing difficulties; and (c) demonstrate key instructional activities that can be embedded within the curriculum to increase students' understanding and use of morphology, vocabulary, and complex sentences.
KSDE Early Literacy/ Dyslexia Team Presents:
Dyslexia: Tier 1 Supports for Middle/ Secondary Students
8:30 am - 2:30 pm ($25.00 Full Day with Lunch Included)
This opportunity provides curriculum directors, instructional coaches and middle and secondary content teachers a day of professional learning to support instruction for students who struggle with reading and/ or writing. Topics include:
Information regarding how the brain acquires reading/ writing ability and the role of both language structures and the limbic system in mediating reading and writing acquisition.
Application of a structured literacy framework for older students who need support for acquiring strong literacy skills
Discussion regarding the role that assessments play in determining not only interventions, but how to "tweak" Tier 1 ELA and/ or core class instruction to integrate more science of reading practices
Examination of strategies that all content area teachers can use to help students access content in all classes.
Exploration of various models of support- how schools are striving to meet the needs of students in a secondary setting: The who, when, where, and how.
Opportunity for teachers to network and brainstorm ways to overcome challenges for meeting the needs of older students who struggle with reading and writing.
How the Brain Learns to Read is a 1 minute video that provides a quick view as to the complex circuitry that is in place for reading to occur. So much is happening in the brains of our young children as they read those words! Nadine Gabb was one of the keynotes at the International Dyslexia Association meeting. She leads the "Gabb Lab" at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and works in the area of brain imaging and dyslexia.
Grab your team and come to our 90 Minute Block Party Virtual Professional Learning Opportunity
February 13, 2023
Presented by Hailey Hawkinson, KSDE Teacher Leader Consultant
Do you wonder...
How your K-3 curriculum aligns to structured literacy?
How, or with what, you should supplement your curriculum if you find it is lacking?
What are the "non-negotiables" in a 90-minute literacy block?
While you can come "solo" to this Zoom event, it would be a powerful opportunity for you to gather your grade level or primary team and participate in this Virtual PD that will help you examine your current- or proposed curriculum and how it aligns to KSDE's required structured literacy model for early literacy instruction.
The day will include:
6 hours of PD focused on the Science of Reading,
the tools and process for curriculum review based on Scarborough's Rope,
vetted resources that can supplement your literacy block to meet the needs of all students,
Work time for you or your team with the opportunity for consultation by KSDE Early Literacy/ Dyslexia Team members
To register, select 90 Minute Block Party Virtual PD
A certificate of completion will be issued by KSDE for those actively participating in this PD event
What is the role of Shared Reading in a Structured Literacy structure?
Take a look at what Timothy Shanahan has to say about the topic in his recent blog:
ELA Offerings by the KSDE Humanities Team
BRINGING WORDS TO LIFE: REGISTRATION
5 sessions from January 11-February 8 on Wednesday from 7-9 PM
Facilitators: LuAnn Fox & Becky Alexander
College credit through Fort Hays State University for 1, 2, or 3 graduate credit hours for $80/credit hour
Join us for a text dependent professional development January 11-February 8, 2023 from 7-9 PM on Wednesdays. Grounded in evidence-based practices, Bringing Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction classifies vocabulary as Tier 2 and 3, directs how to select words for instruction, exemplifies direct instruction, and engages learners in activities that promote word knowledge and reading comprehension. Questions? Contact JoAnn McRell: jmcrell@ksde.org
THE WRITING REVOLUTION: REGISTRATION
6 sessions from January 11-February 15 on Wednesday from 4-6 PM
Facilitators: Mary Lonker & Tonya Martinez
College credit through Fort Hays State University for 1, 2, or 3 graduate credit hours for $80/credit hour
Grab this book, dig in, and discuss with other professionals the writing strategies and scaffolds provided to impact your students’ writing. Transferring evidence-based practices to expand, organize, and revise student writing will allow students scaffolds to impact their writing. Six Principles that will extend your teaching prowess will be discussed.
Questions? Contact JoAnn McRell: jmcrell@ksde.org
Save the Date!
2023 Summer Academies for Teachers
The Art of Teaching: Instructional Artistry
June 12-13: Buhler, KS
June 15-16: Colby, KS
July 10-11: Lawrence High School, Lawrence, KS
July 13-14: Atchison. KS
MORE INFORMATION WILL BE COMING!
“I am a better teacher. Not better than you, him, her, them-not better than anyone. I am just better than I was. Good and great suggest an end; I am more interested in my next better around the bend. I just keep chasing BETTER.”
-Teacher Monte Syrie
