Module 5 Learning Summary

Video on maximizing literacy centers:
Centers are a great way for students to do quick word work during a literacy block but the teacher must decide how much work is just enough to make the centers work effective and so that students are able to complete the activity on their own or with a partner.

What is Literacy? video:
Literacy is a way to build a future. Literacy is not just being able to read and write but the ability to open up many doors for the future to get a good job, participate in society, contribute to our country's economy, and prosper as a human being. I loved the quote "reading is to the mind, as exercise is to the body". As so many historians have said before us, we need to be able to read to better our lives. Literacy is the most valuable asset a person can have.

Using literacy centers video:
Literacy centers are meant for students to practice what they have learned. Teachers are able to teach small groups while other students are practicing what they have been taught and are engaged. Students are building their literacy skills. Centers are good for practical, time-efficient ideas for the classroom flow.

Balanced literacy video:
This teacher sets her room up to be successful at independent work, group work, small group instruction and an area for collaboration. She says that the best thing to do when planning is to set reasonable but high expectations for your students with modeling from you to lead them to be successful.

Effective literacy classroom video:
This video is about a book called "Spaces and Places" that writes about how to plan your classroom. There are before and after pictures so that teachers can see how classrooms were transformed, how areas are used, what wall space should be used for, and how to get your room packed up at the end of the year. It is a bound book that can easily be accessed and written in to help use your space to it's full potential.

This weeks videos were very helpful in understanding why literacy is important, how you should configure your classroom, and why centers work is beneficial for literacy instruction and growth.