Differentiated Instruction Archives

Holistic Assessment in Early Math

Apr 18, 2024 | Differentiated Instruction, Formative Assessment, Holistic Learning

To design holistic assessment for early math, it’s crucial to grasp its essence and application in educational contexts. This article explores the concept of holistic assessment, its alignment with early math education, and the types of knowledge it evaluates.

Let’s start with an understanding about how holistic assessment works in early math.

Holistic Assessment in Early Math. What Is it?

The concept of holistic assessment in early numeracy involves evaluating a child’s mathematical understanding in a comprehensive manner that goes beyond traditional assessments.

This approach recognizes that numeracy encompasses a wide range of skills and concepts, including number sense, counting, measurement, spatial awareness, and problem-solving abilities.

Holistic assessment aims to capture the full breadth of a child’s numeracy development by considering multiple sources of evidence and a variety of assessment methods.

Holistic Assessment in early math will consider all of the following:

Observation: Teachers observe children during play, structured activities, and daily routines to gather insights into their mathematical thinking and understanding.

Child-Centered Assessments: Children are asked to complete specific tasks or engage in activities that demonstrate their numeracy skills in a practical context. These assessments are often game-based and interactive but can also involve the use of manipulatives.

Portfolios: A collection of work that provides a comprehensive view of a child’s progress over time. Portfolios can include samples of children’s work, photographs of activities, and teacher notes, offering a detailed picture of their numeracy development.

Conversations and Interviews: Engaging children in discussions about numbers, patterns, and problem-solving can provide valuable insights into their thinking processes and understanding.

Self-assessment and Reflection: Encouraging children to reflect on their own learning and to assess their work can support their metacognitive skills and numeracy development.

Drawing Insights from Multiple Sources: Surveying parents, teachers and the community as well to gain a proper understanding of the child’s learning environment and circumstances.

The holistic approach values the process of learning as much as the outcomes, emphasizing growth and understanding over rote memorization or the ability to perform well on a standardized test or diagnostic.

It considers the child’s learning environment, interactions, emotional well-being, and cultural background, recognizing these elements as integral to their numeracy development.

Holistic assessment aims to provide a well-rounded, accurate picture of a child’s abilities and potential areas for growth, informing teaching strategies and supporting individualized learning.

How are Math Processes Different From Math Skills in The Early Years?

In the early years of education, distinguishing between math processes and math skills is crucial for developing a comprehensive mathematics curriculum that addresses all facets of a child’s learning and development.

Both elements play a significant role in the foundational understanding of mathematics, but they cater to different aspects of learning.

Math Skills

Math skills refer to the understanding of mathematical principles and ideas. These are the “what” of mathematics—the knowledge pieces that students need to grasp. Examples of math concepts in the early years include:

Number Sense: Understanding numbers, their values, and how they relate to one another.

Shape Recognition: Knowing different shapes and their properties.

Measurement: Understanding concepts of length, weight, volume, and time.

Patterns and Sequencing: Identifying and creating patterns; understanding order and sequences.

Math concepts provide the foundational knowledge that students build upon as they progress in their mathematical learning.

They are the building blocks for more complex mathematical reasoning and problem-solving in later years.

Math Processes

Math processes, on the other hand, refer to the methods and approaches used to solve mathematical problems. These are the “how” of mathematics—the skills and strategies that students employ to work with mathematical concepts. Examples of math processes in the early years include:

Problem Solving: The ability to think through a problem, understand it, and find a solution.

Reasoning: The process of making logical connections between ideas, developing arguments, and making predictions.

Communication: Using language, symbols, and diagrams to express mathematical ideas clearly and to understand others’ mathematical thinking.

Connecting: Relating mathematical ideas to one another and to real-life situations.

Math processes are critical for applying math concepts in various contexts.

They involve higher-order thinking skills that enable students to use their mathematical knowledge effectively and flexibly.

Why Do Both Need to Be Measured?

Measuring both math skills and math processes is essential for a holistic approach to assessing math in the early years. Here’s why:

Complementary Development: Ensuring that students are developing both their conceptual understanding and their process skills is crucial. A focus on one to the exclusion of the other can lead to gaps in knowledge or ability. Process skills and conceptual understanding complement each other. Strengthening process skills supports skill development, fostering comprehensive mathematical growth.

Informing Instruction: Assessment of both skills and processes provide teachers with valuable information on how best to support each student’s learning, tailoring instruction to address learning challenges and build on learning strengths.

Building Foundations: Early math learning sets the foundation for future mathematical understanding. A strong grasp of both skills and processes are necessary for students to succeed in more advanced mathematics.

In summary, math skills and processes cater to different yet complementary aspects of mathematical understanding.

Both are vital for a well-rounded math education that not only builds knowledge but also equips students with the skills to apply this knowledge effectively.

Measuring both skills and processes allows educators to provide targeted instruction that supports comprehensive math development.

What Is It About Holistic Assessment That Allows It to Assess Math Processes So Well?

Holistic assessment measures math processes effectively because it considers various aspects of students’ mathematical thinking, problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and connections between mathematical concepts.

By combining student-driven, game-based assessments with observational assessments by educators and input from caregivers, a holistic and comprehensive picture of students’ experiences and knowledge of early mathematics is created.

This multifaceted approach allows for a deeper understanding of students’ mathematical abilities, preferences, and learning needs, empowering educators to provide targeted instruction and support that nurtures mathematical proficiency and confidence in students.

Student-Driven, Game-Based Assessments:

Game-based assessments captivate students’ interest and motivation, encouraging active participation and enthusiasm for mathematical learning.

Immediate feedback provided in game-based assessments allows students to monitor their progress, identify areas for improvement, and adjust their strategies accordingly.

These game-based assessments can be tailored to students’ individual needs and learning styles, providing personalized learning experiences that cater to diverse learners.

Observational Assessments by Educators:

Insight into Student Thinking: Educators can gain valuable insights into students’ mathematical thinking and problem-solving approaches through observational assessments, allowing them to identify misconceptions and provide targeted support.

Formative assessments provide ongoing opportunities for educators to monitor student progress, make instructional adjustments in real-time, and scaffold learning experiences as needed.

Input by Caregivers:

Caregivers provide valuable contextual understanding on students’ experiences, opportunities and knowledge of early mathematics outside the classroom, enriching educators’ understanding of students’ backgrounds and learning contexts.

Collaboration between caregivers and educators promotes a shared understanding of students’ strengths, challenges, and learning goals, fostering a supportive learning environment both at home and in school.

Applying Holistic Assessments in Early Math

Holistic assessments are an integral part of modern early learning, especially so in math, as demonstrated in this article. Math processes especially, lend themselves very well to be assessed holistically, which is also shown in this article.

Effective tools with student-driven game-based assessments, teacher-driven observational assessments, and input from various stakeholders integrated into a single platform can significantly enhance the assessment process in early math.

Sprig Learning attended the esteemed National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference earlier this year, known as the premier math education event, to present on the topic “A Holistic Approach to Assessing Mathematical Processes in the Early Years”

“Sharing the importance of a holistic approach to assessment and learning in early math and its practical application for classrooms is important to us,” says Jarrett Laughlin, CEO of Sprig Learning. He further adds, “ It’s about creating a comprehensive understanding of students’ mathematical abilities, which guides their growth and development”.

With expertise in holistic assessments and a deep understanding of their application in early math education, consider reaching out to the Sprig Math team for invaluable guidance on implementing holistic assessment practices in early math settings.

Go to Sprig Blog

Best Early Literacy Activities for Teaching Foundational Reading Skills

Apr 5, 2024 | Differentiated Instruction, Early Literacy

Educators today are constantly seeking evidence-based activities that enhance student learning. But what distinguishes these activities, and how can they be effectively implemented in the classroom?

This article addresses these inquiries by elucidating the core practices that form the foundation of evidence-based literacy activities. It then explores their practical application in educational settings.

Delving into three fundamental reading skill sets, it introduces and delineates evidence-based early literacy activities tailored to each skill.

Whether you’re a seasoned educator or embarking on your teaching journey, this article advocates for the efficacy of evidence-based early literacy activities, whether through play-based learning or just explicit instruction in the classroom.

Evidence-based Early Literacy Activities. What Practices Are Used to Do them?

Any teaching practice consists of many things that has to be done in the classroom, such as instructing, assessing, creating centers, etc.

The word activity can mean many different things. In the context of teaching early literacy, activities refer to teacher-designed and/or teacher-facilitated tasks aimed at student learning.

There are such activities in early literacy that are evidence-based. They have been validated to work using personal experience of teachers and research data from studies.

All of such activities involve one or more of these five early literacy practices: reading, writing,singing, talking and playing.

These are the five broad categories of practices that lead to early literacy development. All evidence-based early literacy activities can be classified under one or more of these categories.

How Should Literacy Activities be Used in The Classroom? Properties That Define Their Usage.

While the five major types of literacy practices cover a lot of ground, in order for them to translate to student success, it’s good if they are specific and have a purpose.

Early literacy activities have these two properties– specificity and purpose.

Literacy activities should match the skills that are being taught in the classroom.

So it begins with understanding what the foundational reading skill sets are in early literacy.

Once these skill sets are identified, there are specific activities that have been used by educators which can be used to teach these skills.

These activities are also backed by research, which is why so many teachers have adopted them in the classrooms.

More on this in the next section, where it is stated what these activities entail (specificity), and which foundational reading skill sets they apply to. (purpose)

Evidence For The Most Effective Literacy Activity For Foundational Reading Skill Sets

Evidence For The Most Effective Literacy Activity For Foundational Reading Skill Sets.

Alongside using activities in the classroom for teaching purposes, the research consensus on evidence-based teaching recommends explicit instruction on the foundational skill sets.

This means, providing a clear understanding of the concept being taught, and what role it plays in the reading development.

Once this explicit instruction has been provided, it can be demonstrated or reinforced through many activities.

But what are the most effective activities for each foundational reading skill set? Not all activities are created equal.

Outlined below are three fundamental reading skill sets, each accompanied by research-backed activities that have been proven to be effective.

For early literacy teachers eager to initiate classroom activities targeting the different foundational reading skill sets, these are for you!

Phonics

Letter-Sound Matching: Letter-sound correspondence should be taught at the same time. It is an essential skill in both reading and writing. Knowing the letter sounds is crucial for developing decoding skills.

After explicitly teaching students the sounds of letters with their proper pronunciations, we can supplement this learning with pairing letters with their corresponding sounds.

Teachers can engage students in play-based activities to solidify their phonics knowledge.

1. Kinetic Learning (in small groups): Set up letter flashcards or letter tiles on the ground. After saying the sound, have students walk, hop, or jump to that letter. This activity could also be done with throwing a ball at a letter after saying the sound.

2. Involve familiar objects: Set up a table with the letter sounds that you are working on and have students sort familiar objects and toys based on the first letter of the word. If working with a small group or with a student 1-on-1, involve a toy that they know – a Spiderman to teach ‘s’ and a toy car to teach ‘c’.

3. Create the sound with different media: After saying the sound, have students create the letter with pencil, coloured marker, string, playdoh, trace in sand, or with sticks.

4. Scavenger hunt: Create a scavenger hunt to search for objects that start with certain sounds.

Through consistent practice, students reinforce their understanding of letter-sound associations, laying a solid foundation for proficient reading.

Phonological Awareness

Word Ladders (or Word Chains): An effective tool for teaching phonemic awareness skills such as segmenting, isolating and manipulating. The best way to start is by changing the same phoneme throughout the activity.

Have students start by spelling the first word in the ladder; Show me “get”. Followed by “change a sound to make ‘bet’”, change a sound to make ‘met’”. If students are not quite ready to write each letter they can use letter tiles to manipulate the words.

Breaking words into individual phonemes or sounds is a highly effective exercise for teaching phonological awareness. Students learn to isolate and identify the individual sounds in spoken words.

Teachers can engage students in interactive and playful exercises where they segment spoken words into individual phonemes.

For example, the teacher could say a word aloud (e.g., “cat”) and students would use manipulatives or sound boxes to represent each sound they hear (/k/ – /ă/ – /t/). This helps students develop their ability to isolate and identify individual sounds within words.

Comprehension

Predictions: Encouraging students to make educated guesses about what might happen next in a reading based on their understanding of the informational content, is a proven exercise for teaching reading comprehension.

This exercise prompts students to actively engage with the text, consider the characters, plot, setting, and other relevant details, and use their background knowledge and textual clues to make logical predictions.

Research indicates that prediction activities enhance comprehension by promoting critical thinking, inference-making, and active engagement with the text, thereby improving students’ ability to comprehend and interpret written material. Students are taught to actively engage with the text through predicting, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing.

An activity to introduce students to predicting at the beginning of any unit or reading starts with making a list of keywords, characters, quotes, settings.

Each student is provided with one item from this list. They then pair up with a ‘Prediction Pal’ and based on the items they have, they make a prediction about what they are going to learn about.

Students then pair up with somebody else and make another prediction based on their items and the clues they had from their previous ‘Prediction Pal’. Pairings can be done 4 or 5 times before making a final prediction as a class.

Need for Play-based Learning Alongside Evidence-based Learning. Possible Through Activities

How Should Literacy Activities be Used in The Classroom? Properties That Define Their Usage.

One amazing thing about activities is that they help to balance the rigorous nature of explicit instruction that is found within evidence-based early literacy.

Despite instruction being direct, explicit and systematic, it is also made fun through the use of activities in play-based learning.

Guided play-based learning leads to success in early literacy for students. Multi-sensory activities, in particular, provide a rich and immersive experience. By incorporating elements of play through multi-sensory activities, educators can create dynamic learning environments where students actively participate and construct their understanding of literacy concepts.

Oral and written instruction through worksheets and texts are great. But when instruction is also provided via multi-sensory activities, which involves not just sight, but other senses as well such as noise and tactile experience, it makes the learning process all the more powerful.

What About Other Skills and Other Activities?

Play-based learning is vast, and it is definitely not limited to the activities mentioned in this article. There are other activities with supporting evidence that establish them as drivers of foundational reading skills.

Determining the best activity for teaching each of the foundational reading skills to K-3 students can vary depending on factors such as student needs, learning styles, and instructional context.

With that in mind, one evidence-based activity each was selected in this article for the three foundational reading skill sets.

However, it’s essential to note that other foundational reading skills also have corresponding evidence-based activities for teaching them.

If an activity is backed by evidence as an effective tool for teaching a specific foundational reading skill set, teachers should prioritize its use in the classroom.

More such evidence-based activities aligned to the foundational reading skill sets are provided in Sprig Reading.

Try it today to witness it firsthand.

Go to Sprig Blog

Supporting Struggling Readers in Kindergarten: Transforming Existing Practices Into Evidence-based Practices

Jan 26, 2024 | Differentiated Instruction, Early Literacy, Formative Assessment

Kindergarten marks a critical juncture in a child’s academic journey, where the foundation for literacy skills is established. But often, it’s a phase that is marked with many challenges.

Recognizing these challenges is crucial, given the various factors influencing the struggles some kindergarteners experience in developing early literacy skills.

From diverse developmental timelines to limited exposure to print and vocabulary gaps, each challenge demands attention. This is especially true at a time when there are curriculum/standard mandates for kindergarten being introduced at various jurisdictions.

Educators in kindergarten need help to transform their teaching practices.

In this blog, we delve into the specific challenges kindergarteners may encounter, shedding light on how evidence-based practices can transform traditional teaching methods to provide enhanced literacy support for struggling readers.

Understanding the Challenges: Why Kindergarteners Struggle with Reading

Understanding the Challenges- Why Kindergarteners Struggle with Reading

Kindergarten is a crucial phase in a child’s academic journey, and while many thrive, many also encounter challenges on the path to reading proficiency.

Several factors contribute to the struggles kindergarteners may face in developing early literacy skills.

Diverse Access and Opportunity for Learning:

Kindergarteners enter school with varying levels of pre-literacy skills.

Factors such as access and exposure to books, language-rich environments, and individual cognitive development can influence a child’s readiness for reading.

Phonological Awareness Development:

The acquisition of phonological awareness, the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language, is a cornerstone of early literacy.

Some kindergarteners may struggle with distinguishing individual sounds, which can impede their ability to decode words.

Limited Exposure to Print:

Children who have limited exposure to books, vocabulary-rich conversations, and print materials at home may face challenges when introduced to reading in a formal educational setting.

Lack of prior exposure can impact their understanding of print concepts.

Vocabulary Gaps:

Kindergarteners with limited vocabulary may find it challenging to comprehend and engage with written text.

Vocabulary gaps can hinder their ability to make connections between spoken and written words.

Attention and Focus:

The transition to a structured learning environment in kindergarten introduces new expectations for attention and focus.

Some children may struggle to maintain concentration during literacy activities, affecting their engagement with reading materials.

Social and Emotional Factors:

Social and emotional development plays a crucial role in a child’s ability to learn.

Kindergarteners who face challenges in these areas, such as anxiety or difficulty with peer interactions, may find it challenging to fully engage in literacy tasks.

Variability in Home Literacy Practices:

Disparities in home literacy practices can impact a child’s preparedness for reading.

Kindergarteners exposed to consistent reading experiences at home may exhibit greater confidence and proficiency compared to those with limited exposure.

Help is Available: Transform Existing Practices Into Evidence-based Practices

Help is Available- Transform Existing Practices Into Evidence-based Practices

As kindergarten is such a crucial period for laying the groundwork for a child’s literacy journey, it is very important to put our best foot forward.

While early reading struggles are a reality, addressing early reading challenges becomes simpler with innovative additions.

While existing teaching practices are in place, the incorporation of evidence-based strategies can significantly enhance early literacy support for struggling readers.

In the following passages, let’s explore the transformation of widely used kindergarten teaching practices into evidence-based approaches that bolster literacy skills.

1. Storytime and Read-Aloud Sessions:

Traditional Practice:

Storytime is a common practice, fostering a love for books and language. It aims to instill a love for books and language among young learners.

Transformation:

Elevate storytime by incorporating interactive elements. Pause to discuss story elements, engage in predictive questioning, and emphasize phonological awareness during shared reading.

This transformation ensures that the storytelling experience not only captivates but also fosters essential and foundational early literacy skills.

2. Letter Recognition Activities:

Traditional Practice:

Letter recognition games and activities are commonplace to introduce the alphabet.

Transformation:

Revamp letter recognition by incorporating multisensory approaches. Introduce activities like tracing letters in sand or using textured materials to reinforce letter-sound connections.

This transformation adds a tactile dimension, making the learning process more engaging and reinforcing the foundational link between letters and their sounds.

3. Sight Word Instruction:

Traditional Practice:

Memorization of sight words is a standard practice for building early reading vocabulary.

Transformation:

Approach sight word instruction more like learning high-frequency words (and not those we need to learn by sight) and incorporate into your phonics lessons. Students can use their phoneme knowledge to map the regular part of the words, then only have to learn the sounds that are irregular in the word.

This transformation complements structured literacy approaches and makesinstruction, the learning more meaningful for young readers.

4. Phonemic Awareness Games:

Traditional Practice:

Phonemic awareness games focus on auditory skills through rhyming and sound recognition.

Transformation:

Transform phonemic awareness games by incorporating a broader range of activities. Introduce sound blending and segmenting exercises to enhance foundational skills crucial for early reading.

This transformation expands the scope of auditory skill development, providing a more comprehensive approach to phonemic awareness.

5. Interactive Learning Centres:

Traditional Practice:

Learning centres offer a diverse range of activities to reinforce various skills. These activities, while diverse, may lack a specific and structured approach to literacy development.

Transformation:

Reimagine interactive learning centers by aligning activities with structured literacy approaches. Ensure a focus on phonics, decoding, and comprehension skills within these centers, while supporting play-based and joyful learning activities

This transformation brings a targeted and intentional approach to the learning centers, maximizing their impact on essential early reading skills.

Traditional to Transformational: Supporting Struggling Readers in Kindergarten

Traditional to Transformational- Supporting Struggling Readers in Kindergarten

By transforming existing kindergarten teaching practices into evidence-based approaches, educators can provide more targeted and impactful support for struggling readers.

These evidence-based strategies create a solid foundation, fostering a love for literacy and ensuring that every child receives the necessary lessons and practice sessions for early reading success.

Transforming existing teaching, assessment, and differentiated learning practices is no small task.

Streamlining this process is made easier with interactive, evidence-based activities aligned with the latest research on early reading success.

Sprig Reading contains all of these strategies and learning activities for each foundational reading skill set, with an assessment methodology to monitor progress weekly. Try it today for free!

Go to Sprig Blog

3 More Common Situations in Early Literacy Leadership and How to Respond

Jan 19, 2024 | Differentiated Instruction, Early Literacy, Formative Assessment, Holistic Learning

In a recent article, Sprig brings attention to crucial aspects of early literacy leadership with “11 Common Situations in Early Literacy and How to Respond”.

It’s a must-read, if you haven’t done so already. Going beyond case studies and researched best practices, Sprig revisits previous blogs, extracting valuable insights that can pose challenging situations to early literacy leaders and presents their corresponding responses.

As discussed, those initial 11 scenarios were not exhaustive by any means, and so Sprig expands the discourse in this article by introducing three additional common situations faced by early literacy leadership.

Each situation is followed by an appropriate response.

This approach taps into the wealth of experiences encountered by early literacy leaders, providing actionable learnings.

Situation 1. Needing Interventions Becoming the Norm.

Amid the aftermath of the pandemic, numerous students grapple with significant setbacks, extending beyond their initial challenges. A concerning trend emerges—a flipped three-tier pyramid, wherein more students now require special assistance than those who do not.

In classrooms facing this scenario, it becomes crucial to implement targeted actions that address the increased demand for support without overwhelming resources typically designated for tier 3 students. Balancing intervention strategies becomes paramount to ensure equitable and effective assistance for all students navigating the complexities of post-pandemic learning.

How to Respond:

The optimal approach involves integrating these interventions seamlessly into tier 1 and tier 2 instruction, as much as possible, both in core classroom teaching and small-group differentiated instruction.

The issue at hand underscores the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of intervention strategies embedded within regular classroom practices, as opposed to relying on intensive programs that cater to too few students and often come into play when it may be too late for effective assistance.

Situations 1 taken from:

The Science of Teaching Reading: Effective Reading Assessment, Explicit Reading Instruction and Targeted Reading Intervention.

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Situation 2. Lack of Access to Early Childhood Education Centers and Programs.

The scarcity of accessible early childhood education centers and programs poses a significant challenge for school leadership dedicated to fostering high-quality early learning. Recognizing the pivotal connection between preschool attendance and kindergarten readiness, institutions face the ongoing challenge of addressing this gap through independent initiatives or collaborative partnerships.

How to Respond:

When faced with a lack of access to early education centers and programs, there are several strategies that early literacy leaders can consider:

Community Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between educational institutions and community organizations to establish state-of-the-art childcare centers, similar to the initiative taken by Reading Area Community College in Pennsylvania. These centers not only provide early childhood education but also serve as valuable training grounds for educators.

Nonprofit Initiatives: Nonprofit organizations, such as the Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning, can play a pivotal role by launching early learning centers focused on providing free high-quality education to children from low-income families. This model demonstrates the potential for philanthropic efforts to address educational gaps.

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Expansion: Following the example of Oakland Unified School District, districts can anticipate enrollment increases and take proactive measures by expanding transitional kindergarten facilities. By adopting a TK curriculum and making it universal, as planned in California, districts can accommodate more students.

Repurposing Educational Facilities: In instances where new elementary schools are built or existing ones are renovated, like the case of Fordham Early Learning Academy in Ocala, Florida, consider dedicating space for early learning programs. This proactive approach supports early literacy goals and provides a solid foundation for young learners.

Situation 2 taken from:

5 Emerging Themes in Improving Early Literacy

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Situation 3: Pressure of Mandatory Curricular Reforms

Situation 3- Pressure of Mandatory Curricular Reforms

Schools often encounter pressure or mandates to undergo curricular reforms, demanding thoughtful strategies for seamless implementation. This involves prioritizing professional development, integrating lessons seamlessly, ensuring accurate assessments, and adeptly adapting to new curricular frameworks.

Delving into the measures adopted by schools and districts, this section explores the challenges inherent in curriculum updates and the strategies employed to meet these demands effectively.

How to Respond:

Effectively navigating the challenges of curriculum reforms demands a multifaceted strategy, as illustrated by successful initiatives in various schools and districts:

Professional Development Focus: Wolf Creek Public Schools in Ponoka allocates three full days of professional development for elementary teachers, ensuring thorough preparation for the impending curriculum changes.

Curriculum Consultants Support: Edmonton Catholic Schools increase the number of curriculum consultants, providing crucial assistance to teachers and emphasizing the value of additional support structures.

Teacher Collaboration Emphasis: Black Gold School Division in Leduc underscores the significance of teacher collaboration as a preparation strategy, recognizing the power of collective efforts in adapting to curriculum changes.

Strategic Investment in Education: The Ministry of Education in Ontario invests $109 million, introducing new screening requirements, standardized tools, additional specialist teachers, and a language curriculum overhaul to enhance young students’ reading skills.

Phonics-Centric Approach: Fort Worth Independent School District shifts its focus to a curriculum emphasizing phonics, supplementing it with professional development to address potential issues stemming from a lack of exposure to grade-level texts.

Situation 3 taken from:

5 More Emerging Themes for Success in Early Literacy

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What About Hidden Challenges?

In the dynamic landscape of early literacy leadership, schools may encounter unforeseen challenges that could impact student performance and hinder the realization of their full early literacy potential.

Identifying and addressing these latent issues is crucial for fostering a robust learning environment. Conducting a thorough audit of current practices in core instruction, assessment, and differentiated instruction becomes imperative to unveil hidden obstacles.

For actionable steps on uncovering and surmounting these challenges, Sprig’s blogs offer valuable insights. A particularly relevant resource is the article titled “Navigating Back-to-School Challenges: Improving Reading Strategies for School Leaders,” where detailed strategies empower leaders to enhance their reading programs and proactively address potential hurdles.

By staying informed and proactive, schools can fortify their early literacy initiatives and overcome all challenging situations.

Go to Sprig Blog

11 Common Situations in Early Literacy Leadership and How to Respond

Jan 12, 2024 | Differentiated Instruction, Early Literacy, Formative Assessment, Holistic Learning

Navigating early literacy leadership challenges in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and early elementary grades can be complex. As students embark on their educational journey, success in these formative years hinges on various factors.

While situational challenges may arise, the reassurance comes from insightful case studies that shed light on similar scenarios and effective responses.

This article covers 11 common situations, drawing from valuable knowledge shared in previous Sprig blogs.

Explore a wealth of information covering a spectrum of topics, all neatly compiled in this article.

If you seek greater context for specific situations or a broader understanding of the early literacy dynamics at play, the referenced blogs provide in-depth insights.

Let’s look at each situation, followed by a response recommendation.

Situation 1: Large Number of New Students Requiring Continuous Assessments and Additional Support

Situation 1- Large Number of New Students Requiring Continuous Assessments and Additional Support

The situation at Cornell Elementary School in Des Moines, Iowa, posed a formidable challenge due to the continuous need for accurate assessment of new students who might necessitate additional support.

This challenge is particularly tough because it demands a reliable and efficient system to promptly identify and address the diverse learning needs of each incoming student.

How to Respond:

To address this challenge, Cornell Elementary School implemented a three-tiered responsiveness-to-intervention model.

Kindergarteners’ initial sound fluency and phoneme segmentation fluency, as well as Grade 1 students’ nonsense word fluency and oral reading fluency, were assessed at different intervals. Students scoring below benchmark levels were then provided with tailored support.

This included more systematic instructional sequences, precisely targeted instruction at the right level, and increased opportunities for corrective feedback.

The school’s commitment to progress monitoring and personalized interventions led to its recognition by the United States Department of Education as an exemplary implementer of the responsiveness-to-intervention model.

Situation 2: Widening Gaps in Access and Achievement

Situation 2- Widening Gaps in Access and Achievement

Boston Public Schools (BPS) faced the challenge of addressing access and achievement gaps among students from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

How to Respond:

To overcome this challenge, BPS initiated a Pre-K to Grade 3 initiative. This program introduced a new curriculum emphasizing vocabulary development, differentiated instruction, and professional development for educators.

The early elementary grades saw the integration of developmentally appropriate instructional materials, including storytelling in preschool and student-centered instruction in grade 1.

By tailoring learning activities to match individual needs—utilizing visual aids, manipulatives, or smaller group settings—the initiative provided a more personalized learning experience.

The outcome was a noticeable improvement in students’ critical thinking and collaborative skills. The use of higher-level vocabulary and the early introduction of personalized education from pre-K to grade 1 contributed significantly to the observed positive outcomes.

Boston Public Schools’ commitment to high-quality early learning for all students, regardless of their background, successfully narrowed the achievement gap, promoting equity in education.

Situations 1 & 2 taken from:

High Performing School Improvement Plan. 3 Actual Cases from Early Learning.

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Situation 3: Overly Program-Centric Budget

Situation 3- Overly Program-Centric Budget

Many school districts face a common challenge during return on investment analysis, where the evaluation and comparison of various initiatives like professional development, technology investments (e.g., iPads), and after-school tutoring are undertaken. While this approach aids budgetary decisions, it falls short in directly addressing academic returns.

How to Respond:

To address this issue, ER Strategies (ERS), a Massachusetts-based non-profit partner to numerous school systems, advocates for a student-centered viewpoint. Instead of comparing programs, they recommend asking, “which resources will meet this need” rather than “which program is better.”

This student-focused approach involves identifying the core need, particularly relevant in the context of early literacy to improve proficiency scores in language and math.

ERS emphasizes a system-wide perspective that transcends departmental boundaries.

By concentrating on improving early literacy performance and understanding its associated cost drivers, districts can formulate cost-efficient solutions.This approach ensures a more targeted and impactful allocation of resources for educational initiatives.

Situation 3 taken from:

Early Literacy Academic Return on Investment For Schools

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Situation 4: Teachers Not Having Adequate Resource And/or Personnel Support

Situation 4- Teachers Not Having Adequate Resource And:or Personnel Support

The primary challenge here is the overwhelming workload faced by primary school teachers in managing various tasks, leaving limited time and resources for effective literacy instruction. Without sufficient support, teachers may struggle to provide a comprehensive and individualized educational experience for struggling readers.

How to Respond:

Literacy specialists and literacy coaches play a pivotal role in mitigating this challenge. By collaborating with teachers, literacy coaches contribute to a more well-rounded educational experience for striving readers.

The impact of literacy coaches is highlighted through examples from a research paper in a large urban school district. The coaches enhance teachers’ efficacy in literacy instruction by addressing specific areas, such as utilizing students’ oral reading mistakes as teaching opportunities, employing diverse reading assessment strategies, offering targeted feedback during oral reading, and providing opportunities for applying prior knowledge to reading tasks.

The greatest gain observed when working with a literacy coach is the ability to match differentiated reading materials accurately to students’ levels. This tailored support ensures that students receive materials appropriate for their individual needs.

Also, there is great value in a robust platform supported by learning resources to guide teachers. Such technology tools help the teacher become more efficient without necessarily hiring other specialist positions, even though having more such positions in an early literacy team is always desirable.

Situation 5: Lack of Mechanisms to Track and Encourage Parental Involvement

Situation 5- Lack of Mechanisms to Track and Encourage Parental Involvement

The main challenge here is the insufficient involvement of parents in the early childhood learning experience. Despite the significant impact of early learning on future reading success, there can be a lack of parental engagement during this period.

How to Respond:

To address this challenge, the collaborative effort between home and school becomes essential. Establishing a cohesive nexus between parents and educators is crucial for understanding and meeting the specific needs, interests, strengths, and weaknesses of each student, particularly in the context of early reading.

By fostering a collaborative approach, information exchange becomes a powerful tool to ensure a seamless transition from early learning experiences at home to the formal schooling system, thereby enhancing parental involvement in the child’s early literacy development.

Situations 4 & 5 taken from:

Early Literacy State of Affairs. 6 Major Ways to Make a Difference.

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Situation 6: Inconsistency Between Classrooms and Grade Levels In Practices and Performance

The identified challenge here is about the narrow focus on early literacy success within educational institutions. Achieving collective ownership of literacy goals is crucial, but there may be resistance or a lack of alignment among teachers, staff, and administrators.

Without a unified commitment to a coordinated set of standards, the vision for early literacy success may face hurdles, especially when dealing with a diverse group of educators with varying levels of experience and perspectives.

How to Respond:

The proposed solution is to establish collective ownership of literacy goals by fostering a culture of buy-in among all teachers, staff, and administrators. This involves careful hiring practices that prioritize individuals willing to commit to a coordinated set of standards that become part of the school’s family. By ensuring that everyone shares the vision, there is a higher likelihood of success in implementing early literacy initiatives.

Additionally, adopting a school-wide literacy plan to broaden the scope of literacy skills beyond language classes. Administrators play a pivotal role in guiding teachers across subjects, such as math and science, to incorporate evidence-based literacy skills into their lesson plans.

An illustrative example from Cedar Valley Community School showcases how a literacy intervention specialist expanded the literacy program, allowing students to practice essential skills throughout the day and across various classrooms. This holistic approach ensures that literacy is integrated seamlessly into different subjects and becomes a collective responsibility, enhancing the overall success of early literacy initiatives.

Situation 6 taken from:

10 Actions Schools Can Take Today to Increase Early Literacy Equity.

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Situation 7: Lack of Kindergarten Readiness Creating a Domino Effect

Situation 7- Lack of Kindergarten Readiness Creating a Domino Effect

The challenge presented involves issues related to kindergarten readiness, specifically the alignment of prekindergarten standards with each state’s K-12 standards. Kindergarten readiness is a crucial factor influencing early literacy equity.

However, there may be obstacles in achieving this alignment, potentially leading to literacy inequity and inadequate preparation for kindergarten among young learners. This, of course, has ramifications for subsequent learning in kindergarten and the following early elementary grades.

How to Respond:

The suggested solution revolves around improving kindergarten readiness through data-driven measures and outreach efforts. The National Conference of State Legislatures recommends aligning prekindergarten standards with K-12 standards, and Sprig has created an evidence-based early literacy map for the US to assess this alignment. One of the questions addressed in each state profile is whether states connect birth to age 5 data with K-3 education.

To address literacy inequity at its root, collaborative efforts involving schools and the community to support parents. This assistance can take the form of providing knowledge or learning resources to enhance parental involvement, a significant indicator of early reading success.

By facilitating the connection between prekindergarten and K-12 standards and fostering community support, the goal is to improve kindergarten readiness and, consequently, advance early literacy equity.

Situation 8: Persistent Lack of Interest and Engagement from Students

Situation 8- Persistent Lack of Interest and Engagement from Students

The challenge at hand concerns fostering interest and engagement in literacy among young learners.

Progress toward literacy equity requires instilling a sense of curiosity and motivation in students, ensuring they actively participate in discussions about effective teaching approaches. If this is not the case, it is very difficult to teach them the foundational early learning concepts.

How to Respond:

To address this challenge, it is suggested to actively involve young learners in discussions about what is being taught. By incorporating their perspectives and interests into the learning process, educators aim to kindle a sense of excitement and engagement.

The What Works Clearinghouse supports this approach, emphasizing the significant association between motivating and engaging instruction and improved reading comprehension.

The proposed solution underscores the importance of explaining the purpose of each lesson and the utility of various comprehension strategies to students. This not only enhances their understanding but also cultivates a genuine interest in literacy.

By fostering a culture of literacy that aligns with students’ interests and motivations, educators seek to overcome the challenge of insufficient engagement, thereby contributing to the advancement of literacy equity among young learners.

Situations 7 & 8 taken from:

7 More Actions Schools Can Take Today to Increase Literacy Equity

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Situation 9: Static Teaching Habits and Practices That Are Difficult to Change

Situation 9- Static Teaching Habits and Practices That Are Difficult to Change

The challenge here is regarding the effectiveness of school improvement plans in changing teaching practices.

According to a RAND Corporation survey, a significant percentage of teachers and principals express skepticism, with only 44% of teachers and 67% of principals believing that these plans lead to a transformation in teaching practices.

How to Respond:

Teachers must be involved in the strategic planning process, emphasizing the importance of collaboration. The lesson drawn is that for school improvement plans to be effective, they must incorporate the insights and perspectives of educators, making strategic planning a collaborative endeavour.

This collaborative approach aims to enhance the likelihood of meaningful change in teaching practice

Here are some trends observed in various educational settings that have successfully transformed teaching practices.

Reallocating Time Blocks Based on Need: Highlighted by Tennessee’s Haywood County Schools, reallocating time to focus on foundational skills led to a significant improvement in Grade 3 reading proficiency levels.

Aligning Intervention with Curriculum: Ethel I. Baker Elementary School in Sacramento City Unified School District demonstrated success by implementing daily structured literacy intervention classes, emphasizing a curriculum rich in phonological awareness, phonics, and sight words.

The lesson derived is that effective intervention strategies, aligned with curriculum goals, can positively impact reading proficiency.

By implementing these trends and lessons, educators aim to bridge the gap between school improvement plans and meaningful changes in teaching practices.

Situation 9 taken from:

Evidence Based Early Literacy Trends With Examples

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Situation 10: Tug of War Between The Science and Art of Teaching

Situation 10- Tug of War Between The Science and Art of Teaching

Holistic development plays a major role in the overall success of a child, particularly in the context of integrated reading instruction. The challenge is to strike the right balance between direct and systematic instruction in alphabet knowledge and phonics, while also providing ample opportunities for conversations and reading sessions.

How to Respond:

To address this challenge, Dr. Gina Cervetti emphasizes the need for an integrated approach to reading instruction in the early years, incorporating the critical elements of learning the written language code, including phonics and phonological awareness, alongside fostering enriching conversations to enhance students’ oral language and vocabulary.

She advocates for a holistic strategy that combines explicit and systematic teaching of alphabet knowledge and phonics with activities promoting enriching conversations and reading sessions. Solutions like Sprig Reading emphasize the interconnectedness of these components, ensuring a well-rounded development in early literacy.

The lesson derived is that holistic reading development involves a synergistic approach, where explicit and systematic instruction in foundational literacy skills coexists with activities that foster oral language development and vocabulary.

Situation 11. Weak Core Instruction Increasing Dependency on Specialized Resources, Incurring Time and Cost Constraints.

The challenge lies in avoiding the premature removal of students from the classroom, highlighting the significance of inclusive practices for students in grades PK–2. When students are swiftly pulled out for additional support, such as with literacy coaches, it results in increased costs and time constraints on these resources. This allocation might have been more effectively utilized for those students requiring more urgent assistance.

How to Respond:

To address this challenge, one tactic could be a co-teaching arrangement as a strategy to provide greater support. In this approach, a specialist teaching role is pushed into preschool and kindergarten classes to assist any students who need support. The emphasis is on push-in strategies, where professionals co-teach with homeroom teachers inside the classroom.

This approach aims to make early literacy recovery or acceleration efforts more serious and inclusive by involving both the homeroom teacher and specialist professionals in the classroom setting.

Another approach involves enhancing core instruction by continuously monitoring progress within the classroom, such as is the focus and success of Sprig Reading. This allows for the early and frequent identification of specific interventions within the classroom setting. By addressing challenges promptly, the need for students to be pulled out and work with a literacy specialist can be minimized, preventing issues from escalating over time.

By prioritizing the presence of both homeroom teachers and specialist professionals, schools aim to create an environment where every student can benefit from inclusive teaching practices, particularly in the context of early literacy recovery and acceleration efforts.

Situations 10 & 11 taken from:

5 Hidden Gems for Teaching Reading in Schools

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Require Further Insights, Recommendations and/or Support?

Require Further Insights, Recommendations and:or Support?

While the solutions provided in this article offer valuable insights, they are not exhaustive or one-size-fits-all.

Every school’s situation is unique, and tailored solutions can be developed based on specific needs.

If you or your team are grappling with challenges outlined here, Sprig is here to help. Reach out to us for more in-depth information and customized support.

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2023 Recap–Resonant Engagements and New Horizons

Dec 22, 2023 | Differentiated Instruction, Early Literacy, Equity in Education, Formative Assessment, Holistic Learning

2023 was another incredible year for Sprig Learning!

As we bid farewell to the year, this article reflects on some of the many wonderful highlights of the year.

Note that the office closes today, and will remain closed until January 2nd.

We extend warm holiday wishes to all!

In the upcoming year, we eagerly anticipate delving into many more topics that will address your information needs and those that are close to your heart, providing valuable insights into early literacy.

If you enjoy keeping up with all the latest news in Pre-K to 3 literacy in a regular non-blog format, our twice-a-month newsletter, Root to Fruit, is perfect for you. If you have not done so yet, consider subscribing today.

Want to stay up to date on all that is happening in the world of early literacy, but also love the Sprig blogs for more in-depth breakdowns? Not to worry. All the latest blog articles are always linked on top of the news items in Root to Fruit.

If you know anyone who will benefit from a newsletter dedicated to early learning, refer them to sign up as well, and be ready for all the news that awaits us in 2024.

Now on to our 2023 annual recap.

Reading for the Love of It Conference

In February, Sprig participated in the Reading for the Love of It Conference in Toronto. It was an excellent opportunity to connect with teachers, eager to learn about the foundational reading skills and strategies for their classrooms.

The message of evidence-based early literacy resonated well, emphasizing the importance of regular progress monitoring in foundational reading skills.

Visitors could see on the screen how Sprig Reading enables both high-quality tier 1 instruction and timely interventions for students requiring additional support.

Moreover, attendees had the opportunity to win one of Sprig Learning’s storybook sets, showcasing endearing Indigenous characters and narratives designed to foster a love for reading.

These collaborative items, created with Mi’kmaq Elders and educators, are available in the Sprig Store, along with Sprig Reading.

Ontario Association for Mathematics Education (OAME) Annual Conference

OAME

In April, we had the privilege of participating in the OAME Annual Conference, also in Toronto. It is the largest event of the year for math educators in Ontario.

The conference provided an excellent platform to showcase the capabilities of Sprig Math, emphasizing its role as a tool to cultivate a positive math identity among students.

The team demonstrated how Sprig Math helps teachers with targeted learning activities specifically designed to develop foundational math processes for early learners.

The event was an incredible opportunity to connect with numerous like-minded math educators and leaders who are interested in assessing and instructing early learners in foundational math processes.

At the conference, our sessions garnered enthusiastic engagement and appreciation, showing the significant impact and future promise of Sprig Math in early math education.

Measures for Early Success Initiative

In the very next month in May, Sprig received great news!

It had been selected for the Measures for Early Literacy Success initiative, opening doors to create groundbreaking assessment technology.

Renowned for holistic assessments in Sprig Language, the opportunity now extended to develop an innovative math assessment tool for pre-K educators, children, and families.

This initiative aims to bridge gaps in collecting reliable data on children’s needs, competencies, and progress in pre-K mathematics, targeting those Latine, Black and Indigenous children and families of low-income across the United States.

The goal is to empower educators with insights for tailored instruction, minimizing bias and administrative burdens.

It’s a massive and fascinating project undertaken in collaboration with various partners. For full details, please read the press release.

Internally, a lot of work is going on behind the scenes to make this dream assessment technology into a reality.

Sprig Reading Turns One

In August, Sprig Reading celebrated its one-year anniversary since its launch in a webinar last year.

The noteworthy occasion allowed the team to reflect on the tremendous progress and impact achieved thus far.

Throughout its inaugural year, Sprig Reading garnered an outpouring of enthusiastic feedback from educators who found immense value in utilizing the platform for a range of purposes, including assessment, instruction, and differentiation.

Continuous product updates, including the latest version featuring time-stamped circle charts, have added great value for teachers. This enhancement provides teachers with a visual representation of progress between months and years, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of students’ development over time.

As Sprig Reading evolves, the team remains unwaveringly committed to supporting educators at every step of their journey, from seamless onboarding experiences to actively incorporating valuable client feedback into the ongoing development of the product roadmap.

The team’s dedication ensures that the platform continues to meet the evolving needs of teachers, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and innovation in early literacy.

Literacy Success: Early Readers K to 3 Summit

Literacy Success- Early Readers K to 3 Summit

Later in the academic year, as schools embraced the new school year which was in full flow, an extraordinary summit was graciously hosted by our partners, Joyful Literacy.

Literacy Success: Early Readers K to 3 assembled a stellar lineup of evidence-based literacy experts, each sharing invaluable teaching strategies meticulously designed to address all facets of foundational reading skills.

The summit provided much more than research-based recommendations. It went a step further by featuring administrators and teachers actively implementing the presented advice within their classrooms and schools.

The discussions ranged from effective intervention strategies to the intricacies of weekly planning, providing a comprehensive perspective on the practical application of evidence-based literacy practices.

A notable highlight of the summit was the compelling testimony delivered by Chelsea and Nathan, a dynamic kindergarten teaching duo from Mission School District.

Their demonstration of Sprig Reading and sharing of firsthand experience illustrated the transformative impact of the evidence-based tool in the early learning environment.

Witnessing Sprig Reading share the stage with some of the foremost experts in evidence-based early literacy, including the esteemed Dr. Tim Rasinski, was a testament to the solution’s effectiveness.

This summit enriched participants with theoretical insights but also demonstrated the tangible successes and real-world applications of evidence-based literacy strategies.

Closing The Year Out And Anticipating The Next

As we bid farewell to the remarkable year that was 2023, this reflection captures just a few of pivotal moments that defined Sprig Learning’s journey.

From engaging conferences to groundbreaking initiatives, each chapter of the year unfolded with a commitment to advancing early literacy education.

The journey continues, fuelled by the passion for nurturing young minds through evidence-based practices and transformative educational experiences.

Here’s to another year of growth, learning, and impactful contributions to early literacy education.

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