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Timely and relevant thoughts for success. Don Allen has a master's degree in teaching and a master's degree in education. He earned his educational specialist (Ed.S.) degree in 2024. He earned his Superintendent Licensure on August 3, 2023. He is also enrolled in Hamline University School of Education with Cohort 13 in the doctorate in education program. Mr. Allen is currently on a mission.

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Journal of a Black Teacher, Don Allen, Minnesota, St. Paul, education, learning

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Abolitionist Teaching (Recommended Reading) 

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Abolitionist Teaching (Recommended Reading) 

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Constructivism is an educational philosophy that emphasizes student-centered learning. In this approach, students actively construct their own understanding through experiences and reflection. As teachers, our role is to facilitate this process and create an environment conducive to exploration and discovery.

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Implementing a constructivist approach in literacy instruction can lead to: 1) Increased student engagement, 2) Better retention of information, 3) Improved critical thinking skills, 4) Enhanced problem-solving abilities, and 5) Greater transfer of learning to real-world situations.

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Steps to Create a Constructivist Classroom

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Steps to Create a Constructivist Classroom

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1. Encourage student questioning and curiosity
2. Use student ideas to drive lessons
3. Promote dialogue and collaboration
4. Introduce real-world problems and scenarios
5. Assess understanding through authentic tasks
6. Provide opportunities for reflection and metacognition

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SMART Goal: To increase student literacy scores across all disciplines by 15% over the next academic year, as measured by standardized assessments and subject-specific literacy rubrics.

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Why Focus on Cross-Disciplinary Literacy?

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Why Focus on Cross-Disciplinary Literacy?

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Improving literacy across all subjects helps students to:
1. Better understand subject-specific content
2. Develop critical thinking skills
3. Improve communication in various contexts
4. Prepare for future academic and career success
5. Increase overall academic performance

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Specific: 15% increase in literacy scores
Measurable: Using standardized assessments and rubrics
Achievable: With consistent effort and strategies
Relevant: Improves student success across all subjects
Time-bound: By the end of the academic year

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Integrate literacy in math by:
1. Using word problems that require careful reading
2. Asking students to explain their problem-solving process in writing
3. Incorporating math vocabulary journals
4. Encouraging students to create their own word problems

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Enhance literacy in science through:
1. Detailed lab reports with emphasis on clear writing
2. Reading and analyzing scientific articles
3. Creating infographics to explain scientific concepts
4. Writing persuasive essays on scientific topics

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Social Studies: Primary Sources and Debates

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Social Studies: Primary Sources and Debates

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Incorporate literacy in social studies by:
1. Analyzing primary source documents
2. Conducting research projects with proper citations
3. Engaging in structured debates and discussions
4. Writing historical narratives or news articles

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Arts and Physical Education: Reflections and Instructions

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Arts and Physical Education: Reflections and Instructions

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Promote literacy in arts and PE through:
1. Writing reflections on performances or artworks
2. Creating instruction manuals for games or techniques
3. Researching and presenting on artists or athletes
4. Keeping journals on progress and goal-setting

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Policy: Each classroom will have a dedicated library corner with subject-specific books and general interest texts. 15 minutes of each class will be devoted to silent reading or literacy activities.

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Expectation: All teachers will incorporate at least one substantial writing assignment per unit, regardless of subject area. These assignments will be graded using a common literacy rubric.

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Policy: Each subject will introduce and reinforce 5-10 new vocabulary words per week. Students will maintain a vocabulary journal and participate in weekly vocabulary quizzes.

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Expectation: Teachers will conduct monthly literacy assessments and track student progress. Results will be discussed in grade-level team meetings to inform instruction and interventions.

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1. 'Literacy Strategies for Grades 4-12: Reinforcing the Threads of Reading' by Karen Tankersley
2. 'Content Area Writing: Every Teacher's Guide' by Harvey Daniels
3. 'Reading for Understanding: How Reading Apprenticeship Improves Disciplinary Learning in Secondary and College Classrooms' by Ruth Schoenbach et al.

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50 Literacy Strategies for Beginning Teachers, 1―8, Third Edition, features 50 instructional strategies pre-service and in-service teachers can use to teach literacy competencies to students in grades one through eight. The strategies combine with examples of authentic children's literature that show the strategies in action to make the ideas clear and easy to follow.

Strategies are included for each literacy competency-word recognition, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing-and allow easy access for users to strategies that students need for literacy development.

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50 Literacy Strategies for Beginning Teachers, 1-8 (Teaching Strategies Series)

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Amazon.com: 50 Literacy Strategies for Beginning Teachers, 1-8 (Teaching Strategies Series): 9780132690065: Norton, Terry, Land, Betty: Books

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Online Resources for Literacy Integration

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Online Resources for Literacy Integration

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1. ReadWriteThink.org: Lesson plans and interactive tools
2. Newsela.com: Current events articles at multiple reading levels
3. Vocabulary.com: Adaptive vocabulary learning platform
4. Litchart.com: Literary analysis and teaching resources

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Not your everyday calendar, here you can find important events in literary history, authors' birthdays, and a variety of holidays, all with related activities and resources that make them more relevant to students.

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Not your everyday calendar, here you can find important events in literary history, authors' birthdays, and a variety of holidays, all with related activities and resources that make them more relevant to students.