WHAT IS COLLABORATIVE LITERACY?

Collaborative Literacy is a rigorous, yearlong curriculum for students in grades K–6 that addresses
the core reading, writing, and speaking and listening skills students need while fostering their
growth as caring, collaborative, and principled people.

VISIT THE STOREMAKING MEANINGBEING A READERBEING A WRITERSIPPS

Related Resources
SIPPS Correlation to LAFS, Grades K–3
Being a Reader Correlation to LAFS
Being a Writer (2nd Edition) Correlation to LAFS, Grades K–2
Being a Writer (2nd Edition) Correlation to LAFS, Grades 3–5
Being a Writer (2nd Edition) Correlation to LAFS, Grade 6
See More Resources
With Collaborative Literacy, students aren’t just learning to read and write; they are learning to be
readers and writers who think critically and learn from and care for one another. They develop a
genuine interest in and love of reading, and they are motivated to write purposefully with a real
audience in mind. They are part of a classroom community where students feel empowered, are
supported in taking risks, and are responsible to themselves and the group.
Collaborative Literacy Modules
When taught together, the modules of Collaborative Literacy—Being a Reader (grades K–
2), Making Meaning(grades K–6), and Being a Writer (grades K–6)—form a comprehensive ELA
curriculum. The modules can also be used individually to supplement existing literacy instruction.
(For more information about SIPPS, Collaborative Classroom’s reading intervention program for
students who are struggling with foundational skills, click here.)
Developing Independent Readers and Writers
Collaborative Literacy provides an instructional cycle that includes teacher-led, whole-class
reading and writing instruction; differentiated small-group reading instruction; guided practice; and
opportunities for students to independently practice and apply skills and strategies. This cycle
allows teachers to gradually release the responsibility of learning to the students.
Every Student, Every Lesson
Collaborative Literacy instruction is designed so that every lesson is accessible to every student.
All students participate in lessons—regardless of their reading and writing abilities—and teachers
are provided with support to meet a variety of needs. The lessons offer cooperative structures,
partner work, and peer and teacher conferring, which enable students to contribute and receive
feedback at their level. All students benefit from being part of the caring classroom community in
which sharing and reflecting and supporting one another as writers and readers is the norm.
Engaging Read-aloud Texts
Authentic children’s literature is at the heart of each Collaborative Literacy lesson. Multiple and
varied authors’ voices bring the full range of human experience and knowledge into the classroom
through rich, diverse fiction and nonfiction. Teachers use these texts to facilitate the exchange of
student ideas. These conversations build community and spark curiosity and a desire to
participate in the learning process that reaps benefits far beyond the immediate goals of learning
to read and write.
Supporting Students’ Social and Emotional Development
Collaborative Literacy is unique in its focus on teaching the whole child by embedding practices
in the instruction that promote social and emotional learning. Beginning with the first lessons,
Collaborative Literacy helps teachers set up purposeful interactions among students, teaching
them social and problem‐ solving skills, and helping them to integrate values like responsibility,
respect, fairness, caring, and helpfulness into their lives.
21st Century Skills
Collaborative Literacy instruction provides students with experiences that allow them to think
critically and creatively. Students are encouraged to read broadly and widely about topics that
interest them. They engage in conversations with their peers and build on one another’s ideas.
Throughout the day, students work cooperatively in pairs or small groups to discuss texts or
words; they might also work collaboratively to research and write a report or analyze an excerpt
from a text. In a collaborative classroom, students are encouraged to identify problems and solve
them together.
Assessment That Informs Instruction
Collaborative Literacy assessments draw upon best practices in assessing reading and writing.
Assessment tools are designed to help teachers make informed instructional decisions as they
teach the lessons and track their students’ academic and social development over time.
Research-based and Standards-aligned
The unique pedagogy of Collaborative Literacy is aligned with the standards, and has grown out
of years of research on literacy development, best practices in literacy instruction, and child
development. Visit our resources to search for correlations to the Common Core, and other state
standards.

Creating Classrooms Where Students Thrive and Teachers Grow

Digital Resources
The CCC Learning Hub houses the digital resources that accompany Collaborative Literacy.
These resources enhance students’ learning experiences and help teachers streamline their
preparation, instruction, and assessment processes.