English and Cree Language Literacy!!!
When I started this position, my initial inclinations had me thinking about literacy and literacy development through the lens of learning and improvement in the areas of English language acquisition; however, my experience at MSS yesterday has totally changed my perspective on literacy here at the NEA. I was so impressed with the school's balanced focus on English and Cree literacy that I wanted to share what I saw with everyone.
In the following slideshow, you will see a variety of evidence that there is a balanced focus between English language and Cree language acquisition at the school - and it's everywhere! I saw examples in the classrooms, the hallways, and the permanent signage throughout. They even said prayer, sang O'Canada, and said the date in Cree during the morning announcements!
I suspect that this is a goal for every school in our district, but it was very apparent when I was out at The Beach. Check out some of what I saw:
In the following slideshow, you will see a variety of evidence that there is a balanced focus between English language and Cree language acquisition at the school - and it's everywhere! I saw examples in the classrooms, the hallways, and the permanent signage throughout. They even said prayer, sang O'Canada, and said the date in Cree during the morning announcements!
I suspect that this is a goal for every school in our district, but it was very apparent when I was out at The Beach. Check out some of what I saw:
Mr. Toohey's Gr. 5/6 - Accelerated Reader in Action
While I was observing Mr. Toohey's grade 5/6 language arts class, it was nice to see how well integrated the Accelerated Reader program was in his daily routine. The students were totally comfortable choosing books that not only interested them, but were also appropriate for their individual reading levels. They were also comfortable with using the computer aspect of the program to take the online quizzes and see how they are progressing.
The whole intent of the program, as far as I can tell, is that it gets students engaged in reading. According to Mr. Toohey, his students are reading far more books now than ever before! And not only was it clear that that was true in his class, but he has facilitated that through the technological infrastructure he has provided for the students in his class.
Check out the following slide show to see examples of four different computer stations in his class that can be used simultaneously so that students can engage in the AR program. He also has a variety of AR approved reading materials in the class for when students finish with the books they got from the library; and from what I can tell, that selection of books is ever growing... which will only continue to fuel the literacy fire that is burning in his classroom!
The whole intent of the program, as far as I can tell, is that it gets students engaged in reading. According to Mr. Toohey, his students are reading far more books now than ever before! And not only was it clear that that was true in his class, but he has facilitated that through the technological infrastructure he has provided for the students in his class.
Check out the following slide show to see examples of four different computer stations in his class that can be used simultaneously so that students can engage in the AR program. He also has a variety of AR approved reading materials in the class for when students finish with the books they got from the library; and from what I can tell, that selection of books is ever growing... which will only continue to fuel the literacy fire that is burning in his classroom!