Teaching and Coaching Reading Archives

February 2, 2012November 28, 2022

Coaching the Threads of Reading for Literacy Coaches

Book Coaching the Threads of Reading. — Click the Image to Buy Now!

Coaching the Threads of Reading is for literacy coaches tasked with helping teachers improve reading instruction and student performance.

Get ideas and strategies to help your teachers improve their work in literacy instruction with Karen’s informative book, Coaching the Threads of Reading: Helping Teachers Build Reading Success.

Identify how literacy coaches can provide focused support and help their peers support the development of reading proficiency in the classroom.

Learn the elements that make up effective K-12 reading instruction from primary grades through high school.

Get a birds-eye-view of effective literacy instruction at primary, middle school and high school levels.

Understand the skills and instructional strategies needed to promote effective literacy development.

Find out how coaches can help teachers clarify and instruction to promote reading performance.

Help teachers become self-confident and successful reading instructors.

Use comprehensive observational surveys identify teacher strengths and areas where professional development can improve performance.

Order your copy to d ay!

Bring an Author to the Classroom Virtually

Getting to meet the author of a book that children love to read or listen to is one of the greatest ways to add interest and excitement to your classroom. Many children’s authors are now offering free, short, 10-15 minute, virtual visits via internet calling services such as Skype in addition to their author websites and Facebook pages. While you can certainly contact your favorite authors directly to find out if they offer Skype interviews, you can find a list at the School Library Journal website: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6673572.html. Here, you will find not only a list of authors who are currently offering free, virtual classroom visits but some tips on what to do to get ready for a successful meeting. Have students either read or listen to the book in advance and then brainstorm questions that the class wants to ask the author. Arrange an area in front of your computer camera where children can come up to ask questions of the author. The more organized you and your students are during the brief interview session, the smoother and more worthwhile your author visit will be. Be sure to contact your district Technology Coordinator well in advance of your meeting so s/he can work with you to make sure that Skype is not blocked and will work as well as possible for your call. Be sure to have students bring books to read with them “just in case” the technology has some glitches and they have to wait a bit for the call to take place. This is a great opportunity to really build interest and excitement so take advantage of this opportunity to connect with the author’s your students love.

July 15, 2011September 19, 2022

Professional Development for Teachers is Vital to School Success

Many non-educators think that teachers don’t need professional development to become better at their jobs. Nothing could be further from the truth. Like every profession, ongoing training enhances a teacher’s ability to be effective in the classroom.

While a handful of districts still use their money for “drive by” professional development – which we know is ineffective – most districts across the country are using job-embedded coaching to help teachers grow and develop their skills. In addition, they use targeted professional development in areas where teachers need to strengthen their skills.