February 2023
Hello,
February is off and running and you are probably finding your school back in the hum after the holidays and gearing up for possibly a Valentine's Day celebration. As a kindergarten teacher, I must confess, Valentine's Day was my favorite school holiday. It provided an authentic reason for my students to practice writing their name legibly over and over as they signed their cards. It provided an authentic way to work on a lot of fine-motor skills (cutting all those hearts) and they were fully motivated to read not only the individual cards but to read the names of their classmates. It also provided a chance to just stop in the craziness of winter and tell people that you wanted to be their friend and that you liked them. As we move through our busy school week, I want to thank you for what you do to make your students feel cared for and seen and thank you for the extra help you provide your struggling readers who need your expertise to realize success.
As our Early Literacy/ Dyslexia team plans for the future- we would love to hear from you. 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
Dr. Laurie Curtis, KSDE Early Literacy/ Dyslexia Program Manager
Last Chance! 90 Minute Block Party Virtual Professional Learning Opportunity
February 13, 2023 8:30am - 2:30pm
Presented by Hailey Hawkinson, KSDE Teacher Leader Consultant
How does your K-3 curriculum align to structured literacy?
How, or with what, should you supplement your curriculum when 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
Literacy and Language Webinars Available!
Dr. Suzanne Adlof, Associate Professor at the University of South Carolina's Department of Communication Science and Disorders in the Arnold School of Public Health provided two outstanding webinars to help deepen our understanding of developmental language delay and dyslexia. These webinars and handouts will also be placed on the KSDE Dyslexia page for your use in district professional learning opportunities.
Titles for the webinars included:
The Language Basis of Literacy: Word Reading, Comprehension, and Writing
Measuring and Supporting Language Skills to Increase Reading Comprehension and Writing Aptitude
ASSESSMENT...screening, diagnostic, interim, formative, summative...
Lots of terms...how to make sense of them?
If you find yourself wanting to make sure you understand the purpose and type of each of these forms of assessment- or if you want a helpful sheet to provide this information to inform others, this infographic may be helpful!
MAKE SURE YOU DON'T MISS OUT!
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.
Basic Facts on Dyslexia
Are you wanting a brief overview related to general information on dyselxia? Perhaps you have colleagues, parents or community members who want to know more. This document, entitled Dyslexia Basics: International Dyslexia Association provides an overview about dyslexia basics that you may find helpful for shared conversations.
What is the "Science of Reading"? Is it a curriculum...a theory... something new...or something to worry about. The reality is that the science of reading is exciting and constantly evolving. It is the scientific body of knowledge that we have related to how the brain accesses print and people learn to read. This information is constantly being informed through technological advances in brain imaging and research studies that are occuring even as I write this. It doesn't rely on what we "think" happens or what it "looks like" when children learn to read- but that doesn't mean observation of a student's reading behavior isn't important. It does mean that we now have scientific studies regarding activation patterns in the brain during reading and how those patterns change based on instructional events- now THAT is exciting! However, it is important that we are informed consumers of research as we seek the best evidence that informs teaching. You might find this article helpful in guiding conversations about "what research says" and how practice can be informed by what we know about reading acquisition.
Summer 2023- Bring your book and gain some insight, knowledge...and credit!
The KSDE Early Literacy/ Dyslexia team will be providing a professional learning opportunity focused on the newest edition (2020) of Sally Shaywitz's book, Overcoming Dyslexia. This text-based PD will include discussion of the book, learning from guest speakers and engaging in professional conversations about characteristics of dyslexia and what we can do to support our students.
The study will be held on Thursday mornings from 9:00- 10:00 AM via Zoom June 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th. Certificate of participation will be provided for those actively participating in the 4 sessions and graduate college credit will be available (information to follow). Please click Overcoming Dyslexia to register!
"We have sufficient knowledge to do better."
Dr. Sally Shaywitz
The Art of Teaching: Instructional Artistry
2023 Summer Academies for Teachers
June 12-13: Buhler High School Buhler, KS
June 15-16: Colby High School, Colby, KS
July 10-11: Billy Mills Middle School, Lawrence, KS
July 13-14: Atchison High School, Atchison. KS
Total cost for the two days, $150.00 (includes breakfast and lunch)
College credit will be available
More information and registration coming!
Kindness is like snow,
It beautifies everything it covers.
Kahlil Gibran
