Thread by @JPhillipsVT

Learning about structured literacy for adolescents with @focusonliteracy - this feels so important I want to share #vted 🧵

There is a link between behavior issues and literacy, as Sherry Sousa says "better to be the bad kid than the kid that can't read"

Our literacy numbers for graduates across this country are problematic - but they don't reflect student dignity and agency

Research shows that students need systematic, explicit, and sequential curricula = structured literacy programs

It is as simple as small group interventions AND peer and community connections - that's it!

This program is for middle and high school students with word-level difficulties in reading - you can't read for meaning if you can't get the words up off the page

Structured literacy is IN ADDITION to students' regular ELA course - requires several years of focused instruction - so this course meets like a "regular" class and students get credit for this course

NOT in a small room at the end of the hall or a "closet" - this class meets in a regular classroom in the center of things - "there is a politics to placement" - "when we value students we put them in places of honor"

This happens as soon as possible and as long as necessary - until students can individually navigate text and find dignity and agency in their education - on average 2 years, but up to 6 years

Again, this is a course students take IN ADDITION tho their ELA course and they get credit for BOTH courses

Reading comprehension is ALWAYS the goal - even as they focus on phonics, phonemic awareness, and decoding

"we trust the research and we keep working" - @focusonliteracy

@focusonliteracy When you are working on foundational skills - it takes time. You may not see a difference after 1 semester or even 1 year.

@focusonliteracy We know that effective instruction requires phonemic awareness, sound/symbol knowledge, spelling, vocabulary development, and comprehension to MASTERY in a developmentally appropriate way

@focusonliteracy Students have to unlearn "predicting" in order to learn to read. Once they can do that, they switch from decodable texts to connected texts

@focusonliteracy Graduates of the program come back to mentor current students - sharing their success and building authentic relationships

@focusonliteracy Purpose and meaning are built through authentic connections between texts and the community - such as reading Unbroken and connecting with local veterans.

@focusonliteracy The work is foundational, but it is also meaningful!

@focusonliteracy If we aren't respecting our students and treating them with dignity, then they won't be available for some of the most meaningful work we can do with them.

@focusonliteracy Some of our students have years of scars from struggling with literacy - and it isn't their fault - it is on us, as educators. We need to create the conditions so they can do this REALLY vulnerable work - Sherry Sousa

@focusonliteracy When students feel respected AND when they feel like their teacher understands what they need - then they can do this really vulnerable work.

@focusonliteracy Respecting the dignity and agency of older emerging readers:
-lead with clear purpose
-provide evidence-based effective instruction
-in credit-bearing classes
-focus on authentic connections (w/peers and the wider community

@focusonliteracy LITERACY BUILDS BELONGING!!!

@focusonliteracy Some reflections from students:
-Every student wants to read at grade level.
-Don't blame your students, it is not their fault.
-It takes time and is a slow process - but it is amazing.
-Your students can learn.
-I'm in AP courses now, that wouldn't be possible w/out this class

@focusonliteracy -I never skip this class - why would I?! I love this class
-Every high school student deserves the opportunity to learn to read

@focusonliteracy More information here: sites.google.com/wcsu.net/notim…

1:1 doesn't work - having a community of learners makes the difference. Start the program in middle school and continue it through high school.

Final word from @focusonliteracy : Structured literacy is done WITH our students, NOT to them!