Professional Learning Events: Mark Your Calendars!
Summer Symposium on Secondary Instruction
Empowering Educators: Leveraging Disciplinary Literacy for Engagement and Efficacy
Have you engaged with the EduPaths Disciplinary Literacy course series and are wondering what comes next? Are you looking to spend time delving deeply into your craft with others around the state? Seeking time to plan for intentional use of disciplinary literacy approaches to improve students' engagement and proficiency?
Then join us for a DIFFERENT KIND of professional learning. This is not your typical way-too-many presentation slides and way-too-little application of learning event! We know that teachers and leaders talking with each other about research-based approaches can be the very best kind of professional learning, so members of the Disciplinary Literacy Task Force are committed to providing a two-day experience that will provide you with a powerful start to the 2024-2025 school year.
When: August 19 and August 20, 2024 (9:00am - 3:30pm)
Where: In person at Oakland Schools in Waterford, Michigan
Who: ISD consultants, classroom educators, instructional coaches, and building/district administrators
Fee: $150
Up to 10 SCECHs available upon approval
Learning Strands (participants will select one and stay with that strand for two days):
Leadership and Implementation
Disciplinary Literacy Instruction in English Language Arts
Disciplinary Literacy Instruction in Mathematics
Disciplinary Literacy Instruction in Science
Disciplinary Literacy Instruction in Social Studies
Disciplinary Literacy Instruction "Beyond the Core"
Outcomes:
Engage in introductory learning around disciplinary literacy for those who are new to the topic
Deepen educators’ understanding of instructional approaches around disciplinary literacy
Revise or create lessons, activities, and units to support disciplinary literacy
Explore instructional approaches that are culturally sustaining
Network with other educators from around the state
Click here to register!
NEW! Updated 10 District Commitments Document
Update on Michigan's Disciplinary Literacy Standards for Secondary Candidates
GELN Task Force members are proud to collaborate with the Michigan Department of Education, as well as teacher preparation educators from Michigan universities, in order to create a set of implementation tools aligned to the newly adopted Disciplinary Literacy Instructional Standards for the Preparation of Teachers in Grades 5-9 and 7-12. We plan to share these tools during an upcoming statewide webinar.
What does this mean for schools and districts? It means that once colleges and universities align their courses to these updated standards, teacher candidates will join the workforce ready to support literacy in their academic disciplines!
Looking to Support Teacher Reflection on Essential Practice 1?
Then consider exploring this sample reflection survey (you'll need to make your own copy) and adjusting it to fit your educational context. As you may know, Essential Practice 1 (inquiry/problem/phenomena-based instruction) is the FOUNDATION to the rest of the Essential Practices. Without a shift toward student-centered, problem-based instruction, we will miss the opportunity to engage secondary students in authentic purposes for reading, writing, and communicating. Getting Practice 1 "right" is an important first step in implementing disciplinary literacy!
What Does it Look Like? An Implementation Interview
Interview with Shelley Garland, Grosse Pointe Public Schools Middle School Disciplinary Literacy Coach
Jenelle: How did DL work in Grosse Pointe get started? How did the district decide that this was “the thing”, and what were some of those initial steps that you took while you were getting started?
Shelley: Disciplinary Literacy has been a focus at the elementary level in Grosse Pointe Public Schools for several years, and our team of administrators was interested in continuing the focus at the secondary level. They brought in Laura Gabrion and Jeff Austin from the ISD who gave a presentation about the Essential Instructional Practices for Disciplinary Literacy at the secondary level. I started as an Instructional Coach for the 23-24 school year. Then I shifted into the role of Disciplinary Literacy Coach this school year to support disciplinary literacy at our three middle schools. I joined the Wayne RESA Equity Based Disciplinary Literacy Network in the fall of 2023 and began learning about the essential practices. Then when my role evolved this year, I dove into the online coursework through Edupaths. Early on, Laura Gabrion connected me with additional resources to support my work, and she and Jeff Austin have supported me and provided professional development to our middle school staff.
Jenelle: You mentioned the EduPaths courses as being helpful to you as a resource in your own learning. Have there been additional resources that have been useful and you would recommend to someone else in a position similar to yours?
Shelley: The most valuable resources to me have been the people. Laura and Jeff have been the best, because they meet with our team, listen to what each building is looking for, and tailor the learning opportunities for each staff. The resource hub strategies in Edupaths have also been useful in my work with teachers.
Jenelle: I'm wondering if you've noticed any kind of patterns in terms of content areas that are using your services more than others, or are there particular trends you're noticing in terms of which Essential Practice people are finding that they want support on?
Shelley: My classroom experience was in ELA before I transitioned to the coaching role and focused on disciplinary literacy, so, not surprisingly, many of my ELA colleagues were the first to connect with me about DL. But I've also had lots of opportunities to work with teachers of other disciplines including electives teachers, which has been fun. The way you read art or music is unique for that discipline, but there's so much overlap between disciplines.
One of the biggest challenges has been to shift thinking around what disciplinary literacy is. First, I had to shift my thinking. Now I’m trying to support that shift in the teachers I partner with. Many still think of it as just reading and writing printed text. Understanding that disciplinary literacy includes all aspects of what it means to be fluent in that discipline, it's a new way of thinking for a lot of us.
Jenelle: When I talk with people that are starting the work, we talk a lot about how this involves just as much unlearning as it is learning.
Shelley: I haven't met one educator who doesn't want to do their very best, but to think about your current practice and how it compares to the Essential Practices takes time. I think that's one of the biggest challenges. There’s a lot of competition for how teachers spend the little time they have for professional development.
Jenelle: If you had a piece of advice to folks that are getting ready to get started, what might it be?
Shelley: One piece of advice would be to start small. While the resources within the Essential Practices are really rich, they can also be overwhelming. Whether it’s with a whole staff or individual teacher, start with one focus. Whether it’s through professional development time or a coaching conversation, time to learn, reflect, plan, and assess a small shift in instructional practice is a more manageable way to start than trying to learn about and try it all.
Jenelle: Thanks so much for your time today. I know that people around the state will find it helpful. Keep up the great work!
