Jordan Stoyek

2017-2018 Professional Learning Overview and Calendar

Description: ​For the 2017-2018 school year, the PLC groups will focus on Content Area
Literacy by participating in Collaborative Study Groups (Thibodeau, 2008). The PLC format will
be similar as it has been implemented in the past at Clarkston High School. Teachers from
different content areas will be divided into cohorts that they will collaborate with throughout the
school. Members of the literacy cohort from the previous school year and literacy experts will be
divided into the cohorts to act as each cohort’s facilitator. Each cohort group will participate in a
book study and read ​Subjects Matter: Every Teacher’s Guide to Content-Area Reading ​by
Harvey Daniels and Steve Zemelman (2004). The book study will provide teachers with
opportunities to obtain knowledge, engage in thoughtful conversation with colleagues, and
practice strategies in their classrooms (Yendol-Hoppey & Dana, 2010). After teachers have
practiced the strategies and learn to how to effectively utilize them, teachers will begin to
implement them into their lesson plans with the support of their facilitator. Cohort members will
be given release time through the use of substitute teachers (or teachers on conference hours)
to observe group members during reading instruction and give feedback. At the end of the
school year, each cohort group will give a presentation with their findings and learning to the
staff.

Learning Goal: ​Teachers will participate in collaborative study groups to learn and practice
content area reading strategies that will lead to students becoming more independent readers,
critical thinkers, and an increase in student achievement.

Evaluation of PLC: ​Evaluation of the 2017-2018 Content Area Literacy PLC will involve:
- Teacher Perception Survey (Before and After)
- Student work samples
- Final presentation from each cohort presenting strategies used from book study,
observation findings, and student learning from pre/post assessments.
- Standardized Test Scores (SAT/PSAT)
 2017-2018 PLC Calendar

Session PLC Session Goal

August First Staff Meeting Kick-off

(Teacher PD week) ● Update staff on SIP goals- content area reading focus
● Share results of Teacher Perception Survey about content
area reading
● Introduce new PLC format, assign teachers into cohorts
with each facilitator
● Give 1 hour for cohort groups to develop norms specific to
their group, complete ​Compass Points​ regarding Content
Area Reading, distribute book among cohort members

Begin reading book with specific focus on Ch. 5 (Tools for Thinking:
Reading Strategies Across the Curriculum).

September ● Review PLC norms

● Individually complete 4 C’s thinking routine on Ch. 5 and
discuss as a cohort
● Reflect on strategies used for before reading
(Brainstorming, Clustering, K-W-L, Anticipation guide,
Probable Passage, Reciprocal Teaching)
● Select strategy as a group to utilize in lessons for before
reading and bring student sample to discuss and reflect for
next session

October ● Review PLC norms

● Complete ​See-Think-Wonder​ on student sample of selected
strategy and discuss progress on before reading strategies
● Discuss reading strategies for during reading
● Select strategy as a group to utilize in lessons for during
reading and bring student sample to discuss and reflect for
next session

November ● Review PLC norms

● Share student samples on during reading strategies, reflect
on process using ​I used to think...now I think
● Discuss reading strategies for after reading
● Select strategy as a group to utilize in lessons for after
reading and bring student sample to discuss and reflect for
next session

December ● Review PLC norms

● Discuss student samples on after reading strategies

January ● Review PLC norms

 ● Read article on informational text and ​Save the Last Word
for Me​ protocol

For next session:​ Develop lesson specific to each teacher's

content area using strategies for before, after, and during reading
along with assessment (pre/post) to determine effectiveness of
reading strategies. Schedule time to observe one member of the
cohort teach lesson (*time/month of observations for each cohort
may vary for depending on progress). Complete ​See-Think-Wonder
during observation for feedback purposes.

February ● Review PLC norms

● Debrief on lesson observations and outcomes
● Review and discuss assessment results from lessons

March ● Review PLC norms

● Participate in Micro Lab protocol to reflect on growth
(facilitator will lead protocol)
● Begin discussing ideas for presentation

April ● Review PLC norms

● Prepare presentation of findings to present to staff at
Learning Showcase

May ● Each cohort groups will give brief (5-10 minutes)

(PLC Presentations) presentations on findings and learning as a cohort

Teachers will be sent Teacher Perception Survey on content area

reading to assess learning and PLC effectiveness.