The CARE Project (Collaborating About Reading
Engagement) launched this September on the Sunshine Coast. A team from each elementary school attends the
sessions, including Primary, Intermediate, Support Services, Aboriginal
Education, and Reading Support Teachers and Principals. Monthly meetings are
held to develop a network for sharing values,
mindsets and strategies of collaborative reading supports across our district. Primary and Intermediate teachers in the
project each receive 2 half days of release time per month for collaboration
time to support reading practice.
Through the CARE Project, educators in the
district have been able to participate in some wonderful professional
development to support the student literacy.
Faye Brownlie led a session on reading
assessments in October, and each time school teams participate in the CARE
project we provide time for teams to plan for reading assessments.
Teachers had a chance to examine the factors
that influence reading enjoyment and to purchase outstanding, new books in the
November CARE Project meeting and in an after school ‘Supporting Readers’
session with Vancouver Kidsbooks.
Infusing learning with indigenous literature and
knowledge was the focus of the January CARE Project session. Our district Aboriginal Support Team
described the collaborative work they do to support teachers and students. Terri Mack from Strong Nations Publishing
then highlighted stories and strategies
that build community and teach culture.
The district supported elementary school teams in purchasing literature
to support indigenous ways of learning in the classroom.
Many of the teachers and StrongStart
facilitators in the district were able to learn about ‘Multiple Paths to
Literacy’ during a full day with Miriam Trehearne on the district professional
development day in February. In March,
an amazing session titled ‘We Are All Connected’ with Adrienne Gear was offered.
Books from both authors have been purchased for staff at all schools.
If you have questions, feel free to contact me (Kirsten Deasey) at kdeasey@sd46.bc.ca or 604-741-5787.