Literacy Connections
Literacy Connections is a classroom-based, comprehensive school-wide approach to literacy instruction designed to increase literacy achievement for all students. Literacy Connections provides a dynamic framework for reading, writing and word study. Additionally, the program allows for the training of a school-based literacy coach, as well as the development of a leadership team.
The literacy coach demonstrates research-based teaching practices, provides in-class coaching and long-term professional development for teachers, coordinates ongoing data collection and teaches children. The availability of Reading Recovery®, a safety net for the lowest achieving first graders, is an integral part of implementation.
History of the Program at WCS
Literacy Connections began as part of the Ohio State Literacy Collaborative Program. The program has evolved into the Warren City Schools’ Literacy Connections Program, which is deeply rooted in the Literacy Collaborative framework, America’s Choice research and other research-based literacy practices.
Literacy Connections: Today in WCS
- All K-8 teachers receive professional development on reading and writing strategies across the framework. The teachers implement the strategies in their classrooms and are coached by one of the Literacy Coaches in the District. Focus is on knowledge of the balanced literacy framework and common identified needs based on student data and teacher observation.
- Subsequent professional development activities focus on refinement and implementation. Grade level meetings and continued coaching by the Literacy Coaches help to maintain the Literacy Connections program.
- All K-8 schools have a book room with a collection of leveled books for guided reading, classroom libraries and a library of professional resources.
- Students in grades K-2 are also provided with “KEEP Books” to help support the home/school connection.
- School literacy teams meet to discuss upcoming plans for the home/school connection and to identify teacher and school literacy needs and requests.
Our Literacy Connection Goals
- To increase literacy achievement for all students.
- To provide long-term professional development and in-class coaching for teachers.
- To collect data from state and local reading and writing assessments and to measure progress.
- To fully implement Reading Recovery, a safety net for the lowest-achieving first graders.
Implementation Factors
- All schools currently implement Literacy Connections in grades K-8.
- All K-6 teachers receive professional development in the Literacy Collection Framework.
- Reading Recovery is implemented in every K-8 school.
- “Literacy Lessons for Struggling Readers” target second grade readers, as well as some first and third grade students.
- Uninterrupted time is devoted to reading, writing and word study each day.
- Literacy instruction is aligned to meet state standards.
Literacy Coaches
| Lincoln K-8 | Grades K-2: Carol Young
Grades 3-5: Paula Yauger Grades 6-8: Terri Leone |
| Willard K-8 | Grades K-2: Jeanne Killen
Grades 3-5: Mary Smith Grades 6-8: Colleen Shrum |
| McGuffey K-8 | Grades K-2: Elizabeth Lowe Grades 3-5: Daniel Thorpe Grades 6-8: Renee Beauchene |
| Jefferson K-8 | Grades K-2: Leana Spencer Grades 3-5: Monica VanSuch Grades 6-8: Renee Beauchene |
| Site Coordinator: | Mark Leiby |
| District Literacy Coordinator: | Jackie Lawrence / Kelly Hutchison |
More Information
To learn more about Literacy Connections, please visit the following websites.
