What’s happening ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Xavier Elementary Schools have joined with a network of educators from multiple Wisconsin School Districts in working together toward the common goal of achieving student success. Through Partnership in Comprehensive Literacy, a program designed to encourage cooperation between schools, educational foundations and universities for the purpose of aligning instruction, interventions and assessments, Xavier seeks to promote teamwork among all teachers and students to foster deeper understanding and greater student success. This partnership enables leaders to guide school improvement and develop a unified mission as we look to meet the literary needs of all students. Comprehensive Literacy strives to inspire a passion for reading and writing. It allows for individual, small group, and whole group instruction with less teacher talk and more student engagement. Students' voices are embraced in book selection, conferencing, editing and literature discussion groups featuring peers of all reading levels. The workshop approach allows students to excel one on one with teachers at their own pace, but additionally allows the opportunity to work together while collectively contributing to teaching and learning. This year, the program was called the “highlight of the day” by Xavier’s third grade students and teachers. Concepts, strategies and skills overlap throughout the curriculum as students recognize and master learning targets. As opposed to teaching concepts isolated in silos, the students grow in knowledge and confidence as concepts are repeated through various subjects. The love of literacy shines through not only in the students’ reading and writing but also through science, social studies, technology and religion. The complex texts and rich literature provide endless opportunities to read and write about life, communities, interests and our faith.
X
42
X, The Xavier Magazine
• Summer 2020
As educators it is our responsibility to recognize that, “Our collective futures are in our hands. The children and young adults whom we serve today will be serving the world tomorrow” (York-Barr, et al., 2016, p 311). Comprehensive Literacy certainly serves our students well and reflects a bright future as it inspires a lifelong love for literacy!
McDonald Campus 1810 N. McDonald Street Appleton, WI 54911 (920) 739-7826
