Disciplinary Literacy Task Force

Welcome to the August edition of the Disciplinary Literacy Task Force newsletter. We are delighted you are here! In this issue, we offer a new, updated version of the Essential Instructional Practices: Beyond "the Core" document. Check out the amazing Physical Education section! We also offer an audio overview of a previous publication that describes potential and pitfalls with implementation. For those of you looking to scale this work as part of a continuous improvement process, we also share an improved version of a sample multi-year implementation plan. For those looking for an easy-to-read freebie, we have included a "lessons learned" document. Make sure to check out our updated Professional Learning flyer, as we have multiple professional learning events and offerings for you to explore!

• This year will be a busy one for our Task Force, so be sure to invite a colleague to join our mailing list as well!
• Want to access previous newsletters? No problem! Click here to access the archives.
• Looking to explore all that our website has to offer, including vetted resources? Click here!

Happy Reading!

The Essential Instructional Practices for Disciplinary Literacy: Beyond "the Core" supports teachers in important content areas that are often overlooked in traditional literacy efforts, specifically Dance/Movement, Drama/Theatre, Music (Choral and Instrumental), Physical Education/Health, Visual Arts, and World/Heritage Languages. Created by teacher experts and consultants, this document builds on Essential Instructional Practices in Disciplinary Literacy: Grades 6 to 12 and is designed to evolve as we gain a deeper understanding of how literacy works in various secondary subjects. This document is intended to be used in conjunction with the Essential School-Wide Practices for Disciplinary Literacy: Grades 6 to 12. Not all secondary courses are represented in this document; however, the examples can inspire educators to adapt these ideas in their classrooms. The document offers examples, tools, and background knowledge to help educators:

• Teach literacy skills in their discipline

• Advocate for the importance of their courses

• Support district-wide literacy goals

• Apprentice students into the ways experts use literacy to tackle authentic problems

Special thanks to Kristen Kaszeta, Wayne State University, College of Education, for her contributions to the new Physical Education content!

Interested in exploring the opportunities disciplinary literacy can provide, as well as avoiding common pitfalls? Listen to an audio overview of a previous Michigan Reading Journal article! In six minutes, you'll receive both inspiration and guidance to frame your implementation of DL. Click here to listen.

Want to read the original journal article instead? Click here!

The purpose of this Sample Multi-Year Implementation Plan for Disciplinary Literacy is to support leaders at all levels (departments of education, regional service agencies, and district and school administrators) in considering the stages of implementation, activities, drivers, teams, and improvement cycles that are necessary to effectively implement disciplinary literacy to scale. Viewers are welcome to make a copy of the document and customize it for their own context. If this work is part of a district's strategic plan and continuous improvement plan as part of MICIP, the document provides examples of ways to monitor progress.

Click on our professional learning flyer to find more information and registration links for these upcoming professional learning events:

• Michigan Assessment Consortium Assessment Learning Network

• Shaping Schoolwide Systems for Effective Instruction at the Secondary Level

• EduPaths online courses (they're free!)
• Disciplinary Literacy for Secondary Leaders online course

As statewide consultants, we have learned many lessons over the years while leading this work. We invite you to take a look at some of those "lessons learned" in this free resource!

We are always interested to hear how educators are taking up the work of disciplinary literacy. Take a few moments to share your story here: https://forms.gle/Rbuqa6wZCkhy5bnT9.

The Disciplinary Literacy Task Force is comprised of consultants from across the state of Michigan, each of whom brings their own disciplinary expertise. We meet monthly, and our most pressing goal is to continue to scale this work statewide. We also prioritize equity in the delivery of our services as well as building and leveraging partnerships across the state in an effort to promote this important work. Our ongoing work includes planning for, creating, and implementing professional learning for secondary educators and using this newsletter, our blog, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and other publications to broaden awareness about this approach and its benefits to our secondary students. Click here to access an interactive map with Task Force member contact information. We look forward to increased opportunities to work with you!