March 2023
Hello,
March has possibly come roaring in for you... but hopefully by now you are now enjoying a calm and beautiful spring in your part of the state. I hope you enjoyed "Read Across America" day last Thursday and celebrated readers, writers, and the incredible resources we have- specifically our amazing school libraries- the learning and literacy "hub" of our schools. While I know you have been really busy, I'm hoping you will be able to enjoy an opportunity to rest and reflect if you are approaching your upcoming spring break.
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
ONE FINAL CHANCE!
KSDE Early Literacy/ Dyslexia Team Presents:
Dyslexia: Tier 1 Supports for Middle/ Secondary Students
March 30, 2023 ESSDACK, Hutchinson, Kansas
Register HERE
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.
Opportunity for teachers to network and brainstorm ways to overcome challenges for meeting the needs of older students who struggle with reading and writing.
Consider a March Madness
Book Bracket
YES! It is that time of year...March Madness! Identify favorite books...picture books or chapter books and let the fun begin in your school or classroom as we move through the month of March! Fill out your brackets and read, read, read! Readers are LEADERS!
Is that a light flickering at the end of the tunnel?
A recent K-12 DIVE article provided a look at some DIBELS data across the US to identify where gains are being seen in early reading and where we need to identify more rigorous ways to help our struggling students. We still have work to do- but the data may be moving in a better direction! Perhaps your students were included in this data collection and analysis from 43 states, which included 300,000 students in 1400 schools.
The bottom line as it relates to our Kansas students, teachers and systems is that KSDE mirrors the advice offered in the article to move those numbers in a positive direction:
Use a reliable, nationally normed screener for early literacy risk.
Select high-quality core curriculum and use structured literacy as a model of instruction.
Utilize evidence-based interventions that reflect the results of data and do not delay when you identify a student who needs assistance.
Seek professional development to build capacity for instructional teams- so everyone understands not just what should be taught, but how it should be taught. Pedagogy matters and literacy changes lives.
To read the article and see the gains... losses and numbers.
Select: By the Numbers: DIBELS Shows Improved Progress Over the Last Two Years
So many choices in programs and curriculum. Can someone just tell us what to buy?
Things we know:
There is no perfect curriculum, but there are certainly some that are better than others based on the science of reading.
Core, instruction and Tier 1 materials are critical. You cannot intervene your way out of a weak core of instruction.
Professional learning is essential- it is the curriculum plus the implementation of that curriculum that is important.
Structured literacy cannot be achieved by just adding a phonics supplement to a balanced literacy model of instruction.
Share your data and discuss that data...whether good or bad- problem solve as necessary and communicate.
Be watching the KSDE Dyslexia Page for helpful tools and information to assist you as you consider new curriculum or re-evaluate the curriculum you are using. For more information and to start reflecting on "what works" you may be interested in reading Dr. Timothy Shanahan's recent blog. If you would like to read his full research paper that he cites at the bottom of the article, please contact me: lcurtis@ksde.org
Are you looking for some free resources and information to provide additional formative assessments? The link below provides information on some essential components involved in assessing and developing the skills necessary to being a competent and confident reader such as:
phonological and phonemic awareness skills
orthographic mapping abilities
semantic knowledge
morphological knowledge
rapid naming abilities
reading fluency
reading comprehension
AND, don't forget that your speech language pathologist is your BEST resource to answer questions you have about language development and sound discrimination!
Helpful information to guide your building level PLC time...
When you are looking at providing additional support for students who need help, what might you need to consider to be sure your intervention is aligned with the needs of your students? The following article by Louisa Moats may provide you with some guidance and helpful information!
Looking at Reading Interventions | Reading Rockets
Pedagogy Matters! It is not just important to know what we must teach, we need to know how to deliver that instruction. How effective is "direct instruction" and how might we make it fun, engaging and meaningful for our students? This blog by Dr. Louisa Moats might start a conversation regarding assuring we keep a focus not only on the "what" we teach, but the "how" we teach- the art of teaching.
Why the 'Science of Reading' Needs the 'Science of Teaching'
Summer 2023
Please click Overcoming Dyslexia to register!
Bring your book and gain some insight, knowledge...and credit!
Information on graduate credit (1 or 2 hrs) from Ft. Hays State University can be found HERE
The KSDE Early Literacy/ Dyslexia team will be providing a professional learning opportunity focused on the newest edition (2020) of the 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 is available.
"We have sufficient knowledge to do better."
Dr. Sally Shaywitz
The Art of Teaching: Instructional Artistry
2023 Summer Academies for Teachers
There will be dyslexia professional learning (K-12) provided
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
Register HERE
March Forward March
And welcome spring,
When bunnies bounce and birds all sing!
When March winds blow the winter away,
They get the world ready for April and May
Helen H. Moore
If you know someone who would like to receive this newsletter, please ask them to contact me at lcurtis@ksde.org to request being added to this listserv, or visit the KSDE Dyselxia page and select the purple HERE button and select Newsletter to see the current and past issues.