This document summarizes a literacy pilot day which included: 1) Teachers reflecting on their students' progress in the previous unit and assessing their skills 2) Reviewing the components and timeline of previous units to reach a consensus on how much time each element requires 3) Dividing into grade-level groups to plan the next unit, including considering reading-writing connections and selecting an introduction activity to do with the group 4) Presenting their unit plans and next steps which included online resources for the literacy program

1. Nelson Literacy Pilot Day 4 May 2009

2. Welcome

3. Inclusion Turn to a partner and discuss: “ When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?”

5. Inclusion Turn to a partner and discuss: “ When you were a child, what did your parent(s) want to be when you grew up?”

6. Objectives Reflect and share on experiences during the ‘Send a Message & Reality Check’ units (including timelines). Review components. Reading / Writing connections. Grouping students. Planning the next unit. Next year.

7. Norms Begin and end on time Listen to each other with respect and trust Be open to and be willing to share new ideas Invest in your own learning and the learning of others Honour the professionalism of your colleagues

8. Before we go forward: Reflect back on the previous unit experiences.

9. Share responses brought. How did students do? How did you assess their progress? Observations (formative or evaluative) Culminating Task Report cards?

10. Reflect on Experiences Meet within regional groups. Discuss. Chart. Share.

11. Consensus Timeline: Use the most recent unit to chart the major events. Refer to how much time each component took in each of the previous units. Chart a consensus of the time required for each element. (40 minute block, etc.)

12. Recapping Components

13. Recapping Units Grade 7 Step Up Tech Effects Mysteries Fears and Phobias Send a Message Make an Impression Grade 8 Global Citizens Tech Then and Now Secrets No Limits Reality Check Chasing a Dream Meet in grade level group. Grade 7s here. Grade 8s there.

14. John Medina a developmental molecular biologist and research consultant. an affiliate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Washington. the director of the Brain Center for Applied Learning Research at Seattle Pacific University.

15. Why do we need to keep a strategy focus? Memory: Rule 5 & 6 What does this mean for our classrooms? What does this mean for cross-curriculum integration with literacy (oral, reading, writing, media)?

16. Repeat to Remember Classroom Example… What does this mean for our classrooms? What does this mean for cross-curriculum integration with literacy (oral, reading, writing, media)?

17. Before selecting the next unit consider… … the Reading / Writing Connection

18. Consider the writing plan.

19. Recapping Organization Grade 7

20. Recapping Organization Grade 8

21. Using Nelson Literacy As A Mentor Text First Reading Purpose: Reading Strategy Content: Evaluate Second Reading Purpose: Writing Connection Identify traits of Explanation.

22. Divide your group to look at different resources (i.e., Transparencies, Student Book, etc.). Open to Unit. Look for Persuasive Writing Connections.

23. Building a Foundation Schema Clip How do mentor texts help students build schema? How do connections to student issues build schema?

24. Grouping with a focus… … on what is needed.

25. 1 st Step: Parallel, Common Task, Different Passage

27. 1 st Step: Parallel, Common Task, Different Passage

28. Use the final task examples. Share a ‘low’, ‘medium’, and ‘high’ example with your group. Slot your students into this chart.

29. Move students based on observations and independent work.

31. Planning: In grade level groups. Plan the next unit. Will present the group the plan. Do the introduction activity with the group today.

34. Planning: In grade level groups. Plan the next unit. Will present the group the plan. Do the introduction activity with the group today.

35. Presenting.

36. Next Steps: Online Site http://tinyurl.com/lkdsbnelsonlit http://intermediatenelsonlit.ning.com/?xgi=fcS5ZmQ

37. Reflection Your thoughts on the: - process; - product; - professional experience.