Introduction to Assessment Based Literacy Classroom

One of the things I hear frequently is: how do teachers make a decision in Assessment-Based Literacy Classroom?
Well, there are three steps:

The teacher takes samples of students literacy work.
The teacher compare performance to the literacy stages
They plan and carry out instruction.

Now, this happens in a continuum the teacher is always using the student’s work to plan and carry out instruction.

The cool thing that happens in most classrooms today is differentiation, which simply put is ensuring that each student gets what they need. Not every student will receive the same work to carry out. Some students need some foundational work in order to complete the assignment, for some other students the work might be to easy and those students will need higher order thinking work in order to stay engaged.
In the classroom, the teacher is managing an entire classroom, ensuring that each child receives what they need. Seems easy right?

Well, it is not an easy job since it involves a whole lot of planning ahead, ensuring that the teacher evaluates each student each day, the teacher must know in which stage of development the student is and which skills they still need to master and they also have to manage behavior issues in the classroom, and ensure parents stay informed. In education Benjamin Franklin statement is truer than ever:

If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

The teacher cannot just walk into a classroom and expect to just follow a lesson from a curriculum book. Though, if you just read those very detailed lesson plans you will have a lesson. Those very detailed lesson plans are the structure, the teacher has to ensure that they add excitement, knowledge of the content at hand, usually extra resources to ensure that all students in the classroom are learning. Planning takes a lot of time and thinking.

Well, the more I talk about teaching the more excited I get. The truth is that I love teaching, no matter how challenging the day is there is no feeling as “knowing that you helped another human being learn something new; something that will help and shape them for the rest of their lives”.

In the next few weeks, I will be talking about the Stages of Literacy Development which formally defined, is the process of learning to read, write, speak, and listen, with the thinking being an integral part of each (Holdaway, 1979).

Literacy may also include- the process of looking at graphics and visual media in a critical and evaluative way.

Children will go thru the learning stages in a continuum with stages blending into one another.

Not every child is at the same level, some children might be at the beginning of one stage, while another might be in a developing stage in another.

Now, imagine a class (a small one of about 20 kids) or a large one as big (of up to 30 kids) imagine the teacher evaluating each student. It is challenging work. So, make sure you appreciate the teachers in your life! 🙂

Today’s post is more of an introduction and we will go into depth in this series of “Learn Lots” posts. Remember never to compare where your child is at with someone else’s. Children are all learning at their own pace. Do the best that you can to help them where they are (don’t worry) I will be providing some resources to help you too. The goal is to empower you to be an advocate for your child. To ensure that they get help regardless of which stage that they are. We all keep moving forward.

The Five Stages of Literacy Development.

Early Emergent Literacy: which is the foundational stage, this stage usually occurs at home before kids ever enter a kindergarten classroom. In this stage, kids develop oral language and they become curious about print.
Emergent Literacy: This stage is when the child becomes interested in literacy they start to use more standard oral language, they start to form and name letters. They become aware of the concept of print, such as recognizing words, writing words. Children usually reach this stage by the end of kindergarten or beginning of grade 1.
Beginning Reading and Writing: At this stage oral language expands and the child learns to read and write in conventional ways. In this stage word analysis skills being and the child develop fluency as they read. Usually, this stage continues through first grade for some and into the second or third grade for others.
Almost Fluent Reading and Writing: At this stage, the child is growing and developing all aspects of literacy. At this stage they may start to read silently, they write more and their vocabulary increases. For most kids, this stage may begin toward the end of second grade and continue into the beginning of fourth or fifth grade. In some cases, some students may reach it by the end of first grade and others, not until fifth grade.
Fluent Reading and Writing: It is at this stage that the child is reading, writing and using oral language for a variety of purposes. Usually, they have mastered most of the skills in reading and writing. This stages usually begins in fourth grade (earlier) for some students, and it continues to develop through middle school and high school. In reality, it continues to develop throughout life.

In conclusion:

This is all for today. I will be sharing more information about each of these stages, as well as providing resources for you to help your child in each of the stages as well. Again, remember:

Children will go thru the learning stages in a continuum with stages blending into one another. Not every child is at the same level, some children might be at the beginning of one stage, while another might be in a developing stage in another

I would love to hear from you. What are your thoughts about the stages of literacy? Do you know in which stage your child seems to be currently on? I would love to hear your questions as well. I love helping people and I feel that this platform can be a great tool for me to help you!

If you have not read my post about how kids learn, this would be a great time for you to check it out: How to learn your child’s learning style and discover strategies to help them learn at home and at school.

Sophia James Education believes in the power of education, we believe in a healthy lifestyle that includes mind, body, soul, and we believe that life is an adventure. Therefore, Live Well, Learn Lots, and Travel the World.

Much love to you all.

Raquel