Final+Sharing+Session


 * What do you value as a teacher of early literacy? **

As a teacher of early literacy, I value every child's individual strengths and weaknesses. From this field work experience at Constable Elementary, I have seen firsthand how different children can be in terms of skill level in all aspects. Even in Kindergarten, these children show strengths and weaknesses. This ranges from reading to writing, math, listening and sharing skills. It is important to implement the importance of literacy as early as possible for children in order for them to build a appreciation for reading and writing, as well as to help them feel more comfortable with it.

**How does the "to-with-by" model of instruction (also referred to as balanced literacy) support children's early literacy development? **

Students need structure given to them by a parent or adult figure in all aspects of life. It is important to structure learning during early literacy development so that children are encouraged to think outside of the box and grasp ways of learning. This model means that I teach something TO my students, I work WITH my students, and I guide them to work more independently or BY themselves. This model is a great support for children's early literacy development because it guides them into working eventually on their own, but starts with giving them a lot of support. This can also be known as Instructional Scaffolding.

**What is the role of formative assessment in supporting children's literacy development pre-k-3? **

Formative assessment is extremely important, as well as informative assessment. During early literacy development, children are beginning to find out what kind of reader's they are. Children are able to pick out their own strengths and weaknesses. Formative Assessment helps students to be aware of their skill level and allows them to challenge themselves to become better readers, writers, and thinkers. Guided Reading and Running Records are great tools used to aide formative asessment, and these two things are seen in every classroom of all ages and grade levels.

**How do the common core standards inform your work with children? **

The common core standards are often used to create lesson planning around state, district, school and grade curriculum. While it is important to abide by these standards while teaching, they allow you to be flexible with how teachers can convey them. With the common core standards, teachers are able to teach lessons with adaptations to fit their students needs.

**How do professional collaborations (work with colleages) help is support children's learning? **

Professional collaborations are always benefiting the support of children's learning. When teachers get together to discuss and share ideas, they give each other new ideas as well as feedback on old ideas. Teachers can plan together and benefit from each other. As the saying goes, "Two heads are better than one, but three heads are better than two". More collaboration in a school setting means better instruction for students.