The Cotsen Foundation for the ART of TEACHING hosted six days of trainings between October 2015 and January 2016 focused on the Balanced Literacy approach. For the first time, several of the trainings were facilitated in-house by a Cotsen team member. Angela Bae, ART of TEACHING alumna and its current Senior Program Officer, facilitated half of the trainings. The remaining days were facilitated by Growing Educators.
The trainings, differentiated for K-2 teachers and 3-6 teachers, focused on various components of the Balanced Literacy approach, including interactive read alouds, guided reading, shared reading, interactive writing, shared writing, small groups, Reading Workshop, Writing Workshop and Word study.
Informational reading was a common theme explored at the various trainings, enabling mentors and fellows to delve into the various skills students need to develop in order to successfully comprehend nonfiction text. The trainings, which were held at school sites, also included live demonstrations involving students.
Cotsen’s in-house Balanced Literacy trainings were well attended. Based on feedback provided by attendees following the trainings, they were also well received.