KEARNY, New Jersey (September 27, 2017) – Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization partnering with educators to improve instruction so more children read proficiently by 3rd grade, was recently awarded a $15,000 Major Grant from The Provident Bank Foundation to support CLI’s 2017-2018 Reading Workshop Instruction Project in Kearny, New Jersey School District, which will work to improve …
Children’s Literacy Initiative Wins the Top Honor in the Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program
Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI) wins the 2017 David M. Rubenstein Prize, the top honor in the Library of Congress Literacy Awards program for the organization making outstanding and measurable contributions in increasing literacy levels across the country. “Making certain children have the literacy skills they need to succeed is a matter of national importance,” says Joel Zarrow, CEO of CLI. …
Request for Proposals: Web Based Observation Tool
Build a website that gives users the ability to takes notes, create action steps, give ratings on practices as it relates to one-on-one professional development sessions. TERMS AND CONDITIONS CLI must own, have full access to and have the right to customize site code. Terms for proposal: Proposals should be delivered to Michael Jones at mjones@cli.org by 09/08/17. All proposals …
Don’t overlook this critical aspect of genre studies…
Pre-Writing, Drafting, Revising, Editing and Publishing. While these are the five steps most closely, and most generally associated with the writing process, we must not forget one critical aspect of genre studies, the “Immersion Phase”. It was early in my teaching career when I engaged in the planning of a genre study with my grade level counterparts. I was eager, …
How to Celebrate Student Writing with Publishing Parties
There Destiny stood, all of four feet tall, holding a single piece of paper tightly in her hands. She smiled proudly, anxiously awaiting her audience members’ attention. She gently brushed her freshly curled hair away from her face and carefully groomed the front of her dress as if to smooth away any lingering wrinkles. “Writers,” Mrs. Burns announced enthusiastically, “please …
Why Literature Circles are an Important Part of Student Learning & How to Implement Them
Here’s what students had to say about the literature circles in their classrooms: “I get to ask more questions and learn more by talking about the books with my friends. We help each other with new words, reading them and understanding them.” “During book clubs we talk to people and they can help you figure out questions or words. Book …
Sedgwick Makes Generous Donation in Support of Early Literacy
Philadelphia, April 25, 2017 Children’s Literacy Initiative (CLI), a 501(c)(3) headquartered in Philadelphia, that works with teachers locally and nationally to get more children reading proficiently by 3rd grade, received a generous donation from Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc., a leading global provider of technology-enabled risk and benefits solutions. Sedgwick’s Jonathan Mast, Director of Social Media, and Tracy Mock, Vice …
Books for National Women’s History Month
March is National Women’s History Month. What better way to celebrate the legacy of female resilience, ingenuity, and limitless possibilities than with rich, diverse, picture books? A good book has the power to shift our thinking and challenge preconceived notions. Intentional Read Alouds provide the opportunity for students to think about and discuss great books while exploring big ideas, themes, …
Supporting Our Newcomers with Literature
Stories of the journeys taken by refugees touch all of our lives. Perhaps we have neighbors, friends, or family who are refugees. Perhaps we have read about the global crisis in the news. Perhaps refugee children are new to our schools. The moment a newcomer walks into a classroom, the journey that student took to reach that doorway becomes a …
Lesson Study Inspires Teachers
The first, and highly successful lesson study cycle at Grissom Elementary (Houston Independent School District) inspired its kindergarten through 3rd grade teachers to collaborate within their grade level teams, and across languages of instruction. The process of planning an Intentional Read Aloud (IRA) lesson together, and watching a colleague teach that lesson, allowed the teachers to develop effective practices they …