Collaboration helps teachers to develop a common language, a common set of instructional practices, and most importantly, a professional sense of community which is at the heart of the Professional Learning Community process and an integral part of successful school improvement. This workshop series will provide the necessary tools for your staff to implement a PLC or study group framework with a focus on K-6 literacy.

Whether you are just getting started with PLC’s or are in year three, this workshop will provide you with the appropriate tools, resources and on-going support to implement a rigorous and challenging research-based study of K-6 literacy instruction that will lead to increased student achievement.

This topic is presented over a period of four sessions in order to provide time for participants to implement and reflect upon the information and strategies presented between sessions.

Part I: (offered during the 2009-2010 school year)

• Implementation of Professional Learning Communities / Study Groups
• Leadership Team Role and Responsibilities
• Writing Action Plans
• Whole Group Meetings
• Engaging in Video Sharing / Looking at Student Work
• Helping Teachers Reflect on Their Reading Instruction
• Looking at Effective Reading Instruction
• Facilitating Teacher Reflection that Leads to Instructional Change
• Examining Literacy Block Delivery Models
• Considering Time Spent on Reading Instruction
• Becoming Critical Consumers of Research

Part II: (offered during the 2010-2011 school year – more details to follow )

• Designing a Sustainability Plan for Continued Improvement

Principals, K-6 Classroom Teachers, Literacy Coaches, Reading Specialists, Title I Teachers, Special Education Teachers

Schools must commit to sending a team of 2-3 teacher leaders AND a principal or literacy leader to participate in the workshop.

Each workshop topic will be presented in a series of four full-day sessions. Cost per workshop topic will be $4,500 for a team of three or four people per school. This cost includes support for implementation via phone conference once a month between sessions. In addition, follow-up site visits are available at an additional cost.

Additional Cost Per Person (beyond 4) is $800.00
Lunch not included.

August 19, 2009

October 23, 2009

January 15, 2010

March 5, 2010

9:00-2:00

Minnesota Center for Reading Research, University of MN, St. Paul Campus