CULLOWHEE (March 16, 2016)—Teachers from across North Carolina had time to dig deeper into what literacy instruction should look like in today’s classroom during a four-day program at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching, a recognized national leader in professional development programming for our state’s teachers.
“Literacy Instruction to Promote Critical Thinking” investigated intentional instruction that promotes critical thinking skills.
“It has been great to have the time to talk and work through things,” said Riley McMillian, a teacher at Moss Street Elementary School in Rockingham County Schools. “We have been able to have lengthy conversations and work on projects together. The time at NCCAT has been very valuable to me and I can take back to the school the things I learned.”
NCCAT faculty member Amy Jo Spencer led the program. In this offering, the group focused on literacy instruction that advanced critical thinking in the classroom. She has also been the leader of NCCAT’s “Reading, Writing, and Ready by Third Grade: An Early Grades Literacy Course” program.
“Teachers explored questioning strategies to motivate and engage students to closely read text,” Spencer said. “Through active participation, teachers investigated the role of text sets to connect ideas and foster deeper understanding of concepts and ideas. The teachers critically evaluated print and non-print texts for validity and purpose. North Carolina is fortunate to have these dedicated professionals working diligently to enhance their instructional expertise and make a difference in the critical thinking and learning processes of students across the state.”
Participants also benefited from collaboration with local educators. Kelly Tracy, assistant professor at Western Carolina University, and Kristin Menickelli, fifth-grade teacher at Cullowhee Valley School in Jackson County Schools, made a presentation.
“It was great to be face to face with other educators and have the chance to talk,” said Karen Davis, a teacher at J.E. Holmes Middle School in Rockingham County Schools. “The opportunity to hear how other school districts are tackling these issues was great. Plus, the online resources Amy Jo provided are something we can use long after we return to the classroom.”
Davis and McMillian didn’t wait to leave NCCAT to begin working. They put together a reading project one night in their room after the sessions were over.
“Karen was good with the technology and I was able to help add some music,” McMillian said. “Being able to collaborate and use our strengths for the total project was a great benefit.”
Davis agreed.
“We were up at 11 p.m. creating this and enjoying it,” she said. “It reminded us of why we got into teaching—to create things that help children learn.”
More literacy instruction professional development is coming up at NCCAT.
Visit http://www.nccat.org/programs/calendar-seminars for more information.