Literate Environment

International Literacy International Dyslexia Course / Artifact

Association Association

Standard 5: Learners and the Standard E: Structured EDCS 605 Literacy Coaching
Literacy Environment Language Teaching E-1 – Project
E-6

Synthesis of Standards
ILA Standard 5 is focused on the learner. The literacy specialist is able to use a variety

of literacy materials in both digital media as well as traditional print to motivate as well as

engage the learner. This digital media is integrated in the lessons. The literacy specialist is also

able to foster a positive climate within the classroom that supports literacy instruction. IDA

Standard E is specifically discussing structured language teaching as a whole. The progression

in literacy from phonology to phonics and word recognition to fluent, automatic reading of text to

vocabulary to text comprehension to handwriting, spelling, and written expression are laid out.

The connection between these two standards lies in the integration of digital medias (ILA

Standard 5) into basic literacy concepts (IDA Standards E1-E6). ILA Standard 5 also specifically

mentions the collaboration with school personnel in providing the appropriate digital media. ILA

Standard 5 is also specific in the literacy specialist being able to support physical and social

literacies that a student must be able to navigate.

As a literacy specialist I will integrate digital media alongside traditional print. I will plan

and prepare lessons that use technology as a tool rather than a replacement for good

instruction. In the planning and collaborating with other school personnel, I will be conscientious

of the social literacy required to interact in different situations (both student-teacher and student-

student interactions). The solid foundation across the entire spectrum of literacy – from phonics

to comprehension will be taught in a positive climate that takes into consideration social,

emotional, cultural, and intellectual factors.

Summary of Artifact

Artifact #1 Literacy Coaching Project (See Box Below)

In this assignment I had the opportunity to coach and collaborate with another educator

with a specific focus on the student and environment. We focused on student learning and

engagement in the classroom along with the integration of technology into teaching literacy –

specifically at the fifth-grade level, but also how technology would be useful and helpful in

reaching learners at all levels of literacy.

Evidence of Application

In my artifact, my colleague and I discussed literacy instruction in her classroom with an

eye on the students. We discussed how to engage the students and motivate them while

maintaining a positive climate for all within the classroom (ILA 5.2 and ILA 5.4). It is important

that all students are validated within the literate environment. Students must be willing to take

risks and a safe classroom provides them the avenue to try things out without fear. The other

part of the climate in the classroom discussed was the social skills that students would need to

be successful (ILA 5.4). Students would collaborate using technologies within the classroom.

The technologies would combine traditional print and other media literacies (for example in a

PowerPoint presentation)(ILA 5.3). We reflected on the teaching, assessing, and progress

monitoring within the structured language teaching practices (IDA Standard E1-E6) and the

progression we would expect to see in our students over the course of the year. We discussed

some ways she could use digital media to assist in both the teaching of and assessing the

students (ILA 5). By taking the district mandated text and adding digital components, instruction

would increase in both engagement and effectiveness. She would be able to expand her reach

as technology is used as a tool – to help all students from those struggling to those who are
performing above grade level (ILA 5.1). All this while the students feel safe and are surrounded

with literacies – both old and new.