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Getting Organized

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Curriculum Work: Making Meaning Together

Jennifer Allen ponders what professional development structures support authentic changes in curriculum tied to the Common Core.

From Teacher to Coach: Building Community in the Early Days

The transition from teacher to coach is tricky. Melanie Quinn has advice for building relationships with colleagues in the first weeks of school.

Busywork?: From Classroom Assistant to Agent of Change

Ruth Ayres deals with the conundrum of wanting to assist teachers to build relationships as an instructional coach, yet not accepting all menial task requests.

Overwhelmed Coach

When literacy coach Brian Sepe realizes he’s wearing thin, he adopts some practical strategies to deal with feeling overwhelmed.

Transcription: A Lens for Reflection

Amanda Adrian develops a new appreciation for transcriptions and the reflection they encourage.

Picture It: Increasing Comfort with Technology

Franki Sibberson uses an anchor chart to build community and awareness of technical strengths among her fourth graders.

Triangulating: The Importance of Multiple Data Points When Assessing Students

No data point for any child stands alone.  Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan write about the importance of triangulating data when looking at student assessments, and in the process affirm the value of classroom observations.

Evocative Coaching with Bob and Megan Tschannen-Moran (PODCAST)

In this podcast, the authors of Evocative Coaching discuss their four-part model and what it offers educators.

Literacy Coaching and Student Work with Diane Sweeney (PODCAST)

Diane Sweeney talks about the importance of focusing more on student work and less on teacher plans and lessons for literacy coaches.

Exit Slips Open Doors

We’re firm believers that literacy coaches should go where they are welcome in classrooms and be patient. But what happens when you’ve been a literacy coach for years, and you’re still waiting for those invitations from some teachers? Amanda Adrian explains how a simple professional development closure activity garnered many new invitations to classrooms. Download an exit slip to use for your next closure activity.

Jennifer Allen on Working with Veteran Teachers (PODCAST)

Jennifer Allen has developed some innovative support systems for veteran teachers. She shares her insights in this podcast.

Jennifer Allen on Working with New Teachers (PODCAST)

New teachers need thoughtful support — Jennifer Allen has suggestions on how to provide that assistance in this podcast.

Concise, Conversational, and Consistent: Explaining the Work of Literacy Coaches

Heather Rader shares the language she uses to describe literacy coaching to others.

My New Favorite: Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing has received a bum rap in some professions, but Heather Rader finds it is an essential tool in her literacy coaching.

Can I Quote You on That?: Capturing Classroom Conversation

Here's a fun notetaking strategy to try. Ellie Gilbert records snippets of conversation from Katie Doherty's students, and then uses them in a debrief session to discuss student strengths, needs, and next steps.

Calendaring a Literacy Coach

The joy and challenge of literacy coaching lies in creating a good structure for the day. Heather Rader has suggestions for short- and long-term planning on the coaching calendar.

What is the Evidence?

Heather Rader shares her experiences working with a teacher team led by an outspoken leader. With listening and support, the team examines evidence in a new way.

Creating a Coaching Schedule

Tammy Mulligan and Clare Ladrigan give advice on creating schedules for literacy coaches that integrate district goals and teacher interests.

Tips from Literacy Leaders for Closing Out the School Year (ROUNDUP)

Here are suggestions from Lead Literacy contributors for closing the year strong.

Making the Case for Literacy Coaches

If your district is considering cuts to its literacy coaching program, you’ll appreciate Shari Frost’s advice.

Starting the School Year: A Checklist for Literacy Coaches

With all the checklists for launching the school year available for teachers, isn't it about time someone developed one for literacy coaches? Jan Miller Burkins has done just that — her Launching the Year Checklist is concise, and tackles everything from reformatting computer files to touching base with each teacher.

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