Lead Lit Topic: Getting Organized
Getting Organized
Results
Celebrations Across the Year
“Any quick wins?” I inquired as we began to get our bimonthly meeting of literacy coaches underway. Quick wins as described in Read, Write, Lead: Breakthrough Strategies for Schoolwide Success...
Encouraging Teachers to Write
“You use your own notebook a lot during conferences,” Mrs. Bean said to me. I looked up from writing conference notes and considered her statement. “Yes, that’s true.” “So I...
Finding Time for Classroom Walk-Throughs
As school leaders, we know our time is precious. It can be hard to prioritize our days with all the duties we are expected to complete. At the top of...
Showcasing the Vision
A family portrait hanging on the gallery wall in your house. A photo block of your child’s first birthday front and center on the fireplace mantel. A matted and framed...
The 15-Minute Meeting
In The 30-Day Productivity Plan, Damon Zahariades makes the assertion that meetings last as long as they are scheduled for. If we want to increase our productivity, he believes, we...
Meeting with Building Leaders
“I want to meet again every month,” Maggie said. “Just like last year.” Maggie is the principal of one of our five elementary schools, and last year, we committed to...
The Literacy Master Document
Paper copies here. Paper copies there. Paper copies everywhere. Whether it be the district curriculum maps, reading units, or lesson planning sheets, these important paper documents remain a window into...
A Literacy Foundation
I lead a school in a building with a lot of history. Veteran teachers currently working in the building can recall their first day of kindergarten in the...
Data Pictures Instead of Data Walls
I've never been a big fan of data walls. They typically consist of bulletin boards and physical space that house student data, documenting various levels of student literacy achievement. One...
The Third Rail: Coaching and Instructional Assessment
As I reflected with Joy about our recent coaching cycle, we looked back to our original goals and the pre- and post-data about her students' work. We had seen more...
Classroom Visit Protocols
I have a friend whose mother-in-law has a tendency to just drop in for a visit . . . and stay. All afternoon. Nana never calls to announce that she...
Scheduling Study Groups for the Year
It’s that time of year when I launch professional development offerings for next year. Some of the texts are being used in voluntary study groups, others in grade-level team meetings....
Outreach by Reaching Out
Standing on the curb on a late-October Monday morning as the bitter-cold Chicago wind sank its claws into the always unsuspecting midwestern suburbia, I was not ready to battle these...
Guiding Questions to Stay Grounded
I have 20 minutes to make it to my next meeting, I think to myself as I put my laptop away in my bag. I thank the teachers for their...
Literacy Audit (Part 5): Providing Resources and Support
With a literacy team in place, let’s talk about one of the roles you can share with your team: getting students and teachers the appropriate materials to help them be...
Literacy Audit (Part 4): Building a Strong Team
I’m always inspired by the thinking of Milton Olson, adapted by Angeles Arrien, which highlights the teamwork qualities of geese. Geese fly in formation, rotate leadership, communicate well, and always...
Literacy Audit (Part 3): Making a Plan
Since I’ve been a leader for many years, I have the benefit of retrospect. When I have identified growth areas or launched a plan for improvement, my rearview mirror reveals...
Rethinking Morning Announcements
“Are you going to share one of your stupid quotes again?” This came from a frequent flyer sitting in the lobby area as I was leaving my office. I had...
Literacy Audit (Part 2): Taking Your School’s Pulse
When I go to the doctor for my annual wellness check, the intake nurse starts by taking my pulse. It is the simplest of procedures—there is no medical equipment needed,...
Literacy Self-Audit (Part 1): Beginning Questions
If you’ve been hired to be a principal or literacy coach, you may feel confident about your leadership capabilities in literacy instruction, or you may suspect you have quite a...
Auditing Your Literacy Leadership: Introduction
Principals, instructional coaches, and curriculum leaders are by nature confident and courageous people. We find it easy to build relationships with teachers, students, and parents. We know how to communicate...
