Opening Classrooms to Close the Knowledge Gap

Teacher Development Grant     2011-2012 Project Summary

Adam Kinory

Opening Classrooms to Close the Knowledge Gap • New York, New York

Teachers are forming a literacy learning community to collaboratively develop and implement a curriculum that enhances students’ ability to read and write in the content areas across the 11th and 12th grades. The teachers seek to ensure that all students in the 11th/12th grades will be able to meet or exceed The Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy in History, Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects. This project will be modeled after the Peer Assistance Review Model and Mary Ehrenworth of Teachers College “Reading and Writing Project” at Columbia University will serve as a consultant. Each participating teacher will produce brief videos to be posted on a dedicated website for this project. The videos will provide an overview of the teacher’s instructional model for teaching literacy; document the relationship between the teacher, the study group, staff developer, and administration; and will document how student reading improved in the teacher’s class. The school director will set aside time during the school day for members of the study group to share their learning with their colleagues.