Early Literacy: A Collaborative Approach
The BEST Project’s Early
Literacy: A Collaborative Approach module provides early childhood programs
with the opportunity to enhance their support for literacy activities both in
the classroom and with families. It emphasizes practical, readily applied
knowledge about young readers and writers. The information presented in the
module allows both new and experienced staff members to immediately implement
practices that strengthen the literacy component of their program.
The module’s structure and
format is based on the University of Idaho’s Building Effective and Successful
Teams (BEST) model for delivering in-service training, which emphasizes team
learning and direct application of knowledge. This model has been researched,
refined and used successfully with over 200 teams. Teams of two to ten staff
members and collaborators form site-based study groups to complete each chapter
in the in-service training module. Teams are usually made up of people who work
with each other on a regular basis. Members can include teachers, specialists,
aides, administrators, support staff, and other interested individuals such as
parents or community volunteers. Teams typically take 1½ - 2 hours to study a
chapter by reading and discussing the material and completing activities
together. Program supervisors and/or BEST staff members monitor and support
their work through e-mail, mail, telephone and/or on-site visits. Pre, post,
and follow-up surveys are completed to evaluate growth related to training
efforts. Programs may arrange team meetings to fit their schedule.
There are seven chapters in
the Early Literacy module. Topics covered include:
For
more information, please contact Jennifer J. Olson or Laurie Danahy at the
University of Idaho, BEST Project, 129 West Third Street, Moscow, ID 83843.
Phone: 208-885-3588
E-mail:
jenn@uidaho.edu or
ldanahy@uidaho.edu
Website:
http://www.educ.uidaho.edu/best/
