In order to effect change, and to establish a strong culture of literacy at all levels within the school, our committee has chosen to focus on improvements and adaptations to four main areas:
--------THE PLAN--------
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PERCEPTIONS PEOPLE PLACES PRACTICES
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PERCEPTIONS PEOPLE PLACES PRACTICES
 The Library, 1950's |
 The Library, 21st Century |
School Wide Initiatives:
PERCEPTIONS
Explore and support the growth of a literacy-rich culture
a) Explore Literacy-rich School Cultures and Consider Implementation:
PDF: Literacy-Rich School Culture Rubric
(Page 1) (Page 2) (Page 3) (Page 4)
b) Branding the Literacy Initiative:
- The authors of Taking the lead on adolescent literacy: Action steps for schoolwide success suggest branding a school’s literacy
initiative is an important step in implementing a school’s literacy plan. Branding plays nicely into Whole School Initiative, especially
in putting a face to our literacy initiative, and building a bridge between the school and the greater school community, including the parents.
- The following excerpts are all taken from: Irvin, J., Meltzer, J., Dean, N., & Mickler, M.J. (2010). Taking the lead on adolescent literacy:
Action steps for schoolwide success. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
- Philosophy:
“A brand statement gives the initiative an identify and can serve as both a focusing tool and a constant reminder of the work being done…
Creating the brand statement supports additional discussion among team members about what your literacy improvement effort is really
about and what you are collectively trying to do. The brand can create expectations for all stakeholders and can embody the values implicit
in the literacy initiative.” (Irvin, J., Meltzer, J., Dean, N., & Mickler, M.J. 2010)
- What It Is:
“The brand statement should be catchy, clever, short, and memorable…it should represent the values and goals of the literacy improvement
effort. The best brand statements appeal to both teachers and students and capture the spirit of the literacy effort. Brand statements can be
words only, words and symbols, or a picture with a caption.
Examples: Literacy Lights the Way to Success (with candles)
Got Book? (with pictures of famous adults posted throughout the school)
Read to Succeed (a student is shown running up a stack of books)
iread iwrite iearn (playing on the iPod / iTunes branding)
- How to:
- Brainstorm ideas as a literacy team and vote on top three.
- Brainstorm ideas as a literacy team and have whole school community vote on top three.
- Have students participate in writing the brand statement through contests or classroom activities. Literacy team can vote on a winner,
or whole school community can vote on their favourite. (Publicized through screen-printed book bags, t-shirts, etc.).
- Suggestions:
- If literacy team chooses brand, be sure that whole school community has the chance to respond to the statement and to make
suggestions for revision. The statement should reflect the values of the entire school community.
- Solicit feedback at department or staff meetings.
- Solicit feedback at student council meeting.
- When asking school community to vote, inform them of the purpose of a brand statement for the literacy initiative.
- Final Steps:
“Once you have selected your brand statement, prominently display it in the school and ensure that everyone knows what it is and what it means.”
PEOPLE
Solicit help from staff, students and community
a) Launch Professional Conversation About Literacy (Teachers / Admin)
- Blog on website
- Wednesday morning PLC meetings (8:25 - 9:20 AM)
b) Engage Support Staff in Literacy Initiative
- EAs, custodians, administrative assistants
c) Student Literacy Initiative
- When students become partners and contributors in a school-wide literacy initiative, the initiative is strengthened and enriched. (Irvin, Meltzer,
Dean, & Mickler, 2010). Students can engage in a "Literacy Club", in addition to other school-based clubs that promote content-area literacy, like
the Book Club, Writing Club, UpFront (student magazine), Speech & Debate Club, Slam Club (performance poetry), The Scribbler (anthology of
student visual and literary arts), Library Volunteers, Sanofi-Aventis Talent Challenge (biotechnology challenge), Young Entrepreneurs Club.
- The authors provide the following chart that suggests ways to actively involve students in the literacy initiative:
d) Foster Home-School Connection
- Rubrics: Taking the Lead on Adolescent Literacy Parent Rubric
- PDF: Literacy Action Rubric: Parent and Community Involvement
(Page 1) (Page 2)
e) Enhance and Improve Student and Staff Communication
- Examine communication tools at the school (for purpose, effectiveness, usage, etc.)
i. Daily News (Print)
ii. Hall TV (PowerPoint Slideshows, Videos, Commercials, etc.)
iii. O Canada (P.A. System)
iv. Spoken Announcements (P.A. System)
PRACTICES
Initiate and celebrate literacy-rich activities
a) Sustained Silent Reading in all Content Areas
- Possible Resource: Hiebert, E.H., & Reutzel, D. R. (Eds.). 2010. Revisiting silent reading: New directions for teachers and researchers.
Newark, DE: International Reading Association.
b) Promoting and Publicizing Literacy Accomplishments by Students and Staff
- Literacy Kick-Off (Publishing Celebrations / Launch Parties / Displays / Walls of Fame)
- The Scribbler: published book of exemplary student literary work and visual artwork (available at McNally Robinson)
- Gillian Sze (former FRC student, published two books of poetry)
- Caleb Friesen (former FRC student, published book of poetry while in high school)
- Cade Kuehl (former FRC student, published book of poetry while in high school)
- Various staff members who have earned subsequent post-graduate degrees, published books and starred in / produced films
PLACES
Explore and create literacy-rich environments
a) Library Focus
- Explore teachers’ and students’ attitudes, perceptions, and use of the school library (online surveys, interviews)
- Restructure the library to become an active and engaging student and staff media centre (shifting attitudes):
i. Satellite libraries
ii. Access and use of information technology and study spaces
" 'The hallmark of a school library in the 21st century is not its collections, its systems, its technology, its staffing, its buildings,
BUT its actions and evidences that show that it makes a real difference to student learning, that it contributes in tangible and
significant ways to the development of … meaning making and constructing knowledge.' (Todd, 2001, p.4)" (Sykes, 2010)
iii. Welcome Centre for new EAL students
iv. Common areas / casual cafe-style student lounge
- "The first thing Janice O'Neill did when she became librarian at St. Mark Catholic High School in Manotick was tear up the
No Talking sign..." (Pearson, 2011)
- Possible Resources:
Valenza, J. K. October 2010. Manifesto for 21st century School Librarians. You know you're a 21st century librarian if . . .
Retrieved August 9th, 2011 from http://informationfluency.wikispaces.com/You+know+you%27re+a+21st+century+librarian+if+.+.+.
Hay, L. (2010). Shift happens. It's time to rethink, rebuild and rebrand. ACCESS. 24(4), 5-10.
Pearson, M. (2011, May 05). High school libraries enter the 21st century. Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved from
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/High+school+libraries+enter+21st+century/4786009/story.html.
Sykes, J. (2010). Transforming Canadian School Libraries to Meet the Needs of 21st Century Learners: Alberta Education School Library
Services Initiative – Research Review and Principal Survey Themes. Retrieved from
http://education.alberta.ca/media/1293749/slsi_research.pdf
b) Establish Computer “Labs” in Each Classroom (Mini-Media Centres)
- Apply for grant(s) for individual media centres / research pods in classrooms
- Travelling laptop labs (wifi netbooks on a cart)
Explore and support the growth of a literacy-rich culture
a) Explore Literacy-rich School Cultures and Consider Implementation:
PDF: Literacy-Rich School Culture Rubric
(Page 1) (Page 2) (Page 3) (Page 4)
b) Branding the Literacy Initiative:
- The authors of Taking the lead on adolescent literacy: Action steps for schoolwide success suggest branding a school’s literacy
initiative is an important step in implementing a school’s literacy plan. Branding plays nicely into Whole School Initiative, especially
in putting a face to our literacy initiative, and building a bridge between the school and the greater school community, including the parents.
- The following excerpts are all taken from: Irvin, J., Meltzer, J., Dean, N., & Mickler, M.J. (2010). Taking the lead on adolescent literacy:
Action steps for schoolwide success. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
- Philosophy:
“A brand statement gives the initiative an identify and can serve as both a focusing tool and a constant reminder of the work being done…
Creating the brand statement supports additional discussion among team members about what your literacy improvement effort is really
about and what you are collectively trying to do. The brand can create expectations for all stakeholders and can embody the values implicit
in the literacy initiative.” (Irvin, J., Meltzer, J., Dean, N., & Mickler, M.J. 2010)
- What It Is:
“The brand statement should be catchy, clever, short, and memorable…it should represent the values and goals of the literacy improvement
effort. The best brand statements appeal to both teachers and students and capture the spirit of the literacy effort. Brand statements can be
words only, words and symbols, or a picture with a caption.
Examples: Literacy Lights the Way to Success (with candles)
Got Book? (with pictures of famous adults posted throughout the school)
Read to Succeed (a student is shown running up a stack of books)
iread iwrite iearn (playing on the iPod / iTunes branding)
- How to:
- Brainstorm ideas as a literacy team and vote on top three.
- Brainstorm ideas as a literacy team and have whole school community vote on top three.
- Have students participate in writing the brand statement through contests or classroom activities. Literacy team can vote on a winner,
or whole school community can vote on their favourite. (Publicized through screen-printed book bags, t-shirts, etc.).
- Suggestions:
- If literacy team chooses brand, be sure that whole school community has the chance to respond to the statement and to make
suggestions for revision. The statement should reflect the values of the entire school community.
- Solicit feedback at department or staff meetings.
- Solicit feedback at student council meeting.
- When asking school community to vote, inform them of the purpose of a brand statement for the literacy initiative.
- Final Steps:
“Once you have selected your brand statement, prominently display it in the school and ensure that everyone knows what it is and what it means.”
PEOPLE
Solicit help from staff, students and community
a) Launch Professional Conversation About Literacy (Teachers / Admin)
- Blog on website
- Wednesday morning PLC meetings (8:25 - 9:20 AM)
b) Engage Support Staff in Literacy Initiative
- EAs, custodians, administrative assistants
c) Student Literacy Initiative
- When students become partners and contributors in a school-wide literacy initiative, the initiative is strengthened and enriched. (Irvin, Meltzer,
Dean, & Mickler, 2010). Students can engage in a "Literacy Club", in addition to other school-based clubs that promote content-area literacy, like
the Book Club, Writing Club, UpFront (student magazine), Speech & Debate Club, Slam Club (performance poetry), The Scribbler (anthology of
student visual and literary arts), Library Volunteers, Sanofi-Aventis Talent Challenge (biotechnology challenge), Young Entrepreneurs Club.
- The authors provide the following chart that suggests ways to actively involve students in the literacy initiative:
d) Foster Home-School Connection
- Rubrics: Taking the Lead on Adolescent Literacy Parent Rubric
- PDF: Literacy Action Rubric: Parent and Community Involvement
(Page 1) (Page 2)
e) Enhance and Improve Student and Staff Communication
- Examine communication tools at the school (for purpose, effectiveness, usage, etc.)
i. Daily News (Print)
ii. Hall TV (PowerPoint Slideshows, Videos, Commercials, etc.)
iii. O Canada (P.A. System)
iv. Spoken Announcements (P.A. System)
PRACTICES
Initiate and celebrate literacy-rich activities
a) Sustained Silent Reading in all Content Areas
- Possible Resource: Hiebert, E.H., & Reutzel, D. R. (Eds.). 2010. Revisiting silent reading: New directions for teachers and researchers.
Newark, DE: International Reading Association.
b) Promoting and Publicizing Literacy Accomplishments by Students and Staff
- Literacy Kick-Off (Publishing Celebrations / Launch Parties / Displays / Walls of Fame)
- The Scribbler: published book of exemplary student literary work and visual artwork (available at McNally Robinson)
- Gillian Sze (former FRC student, published two books of poetry)
- Caleb Friesen (former FRC student, published book of poetry while in high school)
- Cade Kuehl (former FRC student, published book of poetry while in high school)
- Various staff members who have earned subsequent post-graduate degrees, published books and starred in / produced films
PLACES
Explore and create literacy-rich environments
a) Library Focus
- Explore teachers’ and students’ attitudes, perceptions, and use of the school library (online surveys, interviews)
- Restructure the library to become an active and engaging student and staff media centre (shifting attitudes):
i. Satellite libraries
ii. Access and use of information technology and study spaces
" 'The hallmark of a school library in the 21st century is not its collections, its systems, its technology, its staffing, its buildings,
BUT its actions and evidences that show that it makes a real difference to student learning, that it contributes in tangible and
significant ways to the development of … meaning making and constructing knowledge.' (Todd, 2001, p.4)" (Sykes, 2010)
iii. Welcome Centre for new EAL students
iv. Common areas / casual cafe-style student lounge
- "The first thing Janice O'Neill did when she became librarian at St. Mark Catholic High School in Manotick was tear up the
No Talking sign..." (Pearson, 2011)
- Possible Resources:
Valenza, J. K. October 2010. Manifesto for 21st century School Librarians. You know you're a 21st century librarian if . . .
Retrieved August 9th, 2011 from http://informationfluency.wikispaces.com/You+know+you%27re+a+21st+century+librarian+if+.+.+.
Hay, L. (2010). Shift happens. It's time to rethink, rebuild and rebrand. ACCESS. 24(4), 5-10.
Pearson, M. (2011, May 05). High school libraries enter the 21st century. Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved from
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/High+school+libraries+enter+21st+century/4786009/story.html.
Sykes, J. (2010). Transforming Canadian School Libraries to Meet the Needs of 21st Century Learners: Alberta Education School Library
Services Initiative – Research Review and Principal Survey Themes. Retrieved from
http://education.alberta.ca/media/1293749/slsi_research.pdf
b) Establish Computer “Labs” in Each Classroom (Mini-Media Centres)
- Apply for grant(s) for individual media centres / research pods in classrooms
- Travelling laptop labs (wifi netbooks on a cart)
