Thank you for your interest in participating in this exciting new phase of the RUSD-Ball Literacy Partnership. The purpose of the partnership is to build capacity in instructional, leadership and organizational practices that support high levels of literacy for all students.
The Literacy Network Communities of Practice Begin...
Starting in the 2009-2010 school year, the RUSD-Ball Literacy Partnership has supported the development of classroom instruction communities of practice throughout the literacy network.
The Community of Practice Café is located next to the Ball PARC office (D-6) in Room D-5 Shelyn Elementary School. The Café is available as a meeting place for communities of practice. Books and DVDs and support team members are available as well.
What does an RUSD instructional community of practice look like?
An instructional community of practice in RUSD is a group of teachers, coaches and administrators who are committed to learning from and with each other in mutual inquiry around a differentiated literacy practice. This peer-based inquiry assumes that the answers to our most difficult questions exist within the community or can be found together. Though communities of practice are a natural way that people learn, organizations can intentionally support the emergence and development of communities of practice.
When and how often do we meet?
Rhythm and regularity support community building and sustained inquiry in a community of practice. They provide the opportunity for practitioners to reflect on practice and deepen inquiry within the context of practitioners’ daily work. As you collectively create your learning plan, you will agree on the frequency and duration of your meetings keeping in mind the need to maintain the energy and vitality of your community’s conversations, learning and reflection. Some groups may wish to meet twice a month for 2 hours each time; others may meet every 3-4 weeks for 3 hours. As a supported community of practice, you will be expected to meet regularly on your own time and have a plan that identifies meeting times and durations. The Community of Practice Café, located in room D-5 at Shelyn Elementary will be available for meeting space as needed.
For answers to more Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), see the learning resources on the right.
LEARNING PLAN FOR COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE
All supported communities of practice will be expected to consider the following questions together:
1) What are we trying to do?
- What is the literacy practice that you want to study?
- What do you hope to learn about this literacy practice?
- Why is this important for you?
- What student data or research led you to choose this practice?
2) How are we trying to do it?
- What steps might you take to begin your inquiry?
- Who else could inform your learning?
- What data do you have or could you obtain that relates most directly to your inquiry?
- What time frame are you thinking about?
3) How do we know we've done it?
- What would indicate that your inquiry has informed your practice?
- What might you look for to understand the impact of this practice on student learning?