Staff Development Initiatives Continue at Barnum Woods

In an effort to provide students with a learning environment that embraces “Best Instructional Practices” relative to the English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum, the professional faculty members at Barnum Woods Elementary School continue their journey in staff development initiatives with a Balanced Literacy Committee. Collaborating with an AUSSIE consultant, teachers have been researching the most effective techniques and strategies that highlight the essential components of an effective Balanced Literacy philosophy, such as: • Independent Reading • Guided Reading• Shared Reading• Read-Aloud/ Modeled Reading• Language Experience• Spelling and Word Study• Independent Writing• Shared/ Interactive Writing• Modeled Writing Topics of discussion included ELA past practices, future goals, and the review of professional articles. The faculty at Barnum Woods has demonstrated much enthusiasm in participating in this unique “professional learning community.”