Penn Literacy Network

Credit-Bearing Seminars:
PreK–12, graduate-level, continuing education seminars are taught on site. Unless otherwise noted, all seminars are offered for all grade levels and can be adapted to a variety of district needs.

Participants learn together through active, hands-on literacy experiences that model the concepts and strategies to be applied in their classrooms and schools. These practical activities are blended with discussions of current research-based literacy concepts as presented in many state language arts frameworks. In collaboration, participants investigate, deepen, and apply the PLN Frameworks of The Five Reading/Writing/Talking Processes and The Lenses of Learning developed by Dr. Morton Botel of the University of Pennsylvania. PLN participants are encouraged to try out and adapt strategies modeled in class, and have the opportunity to reflect on this implementation with colleagues and facilitators during in-class discussions and through journaling. They also complete a final project: a self-produced curriculum plan ready to be put into action.

Non-Credit Seminars:
PreK–12 continuing education workshops are typically taught on site. The workshop series can be adapted for content focus and grade level based on the needs of particular districts. Additionally, PLN offers a Parent and Tutor Workshop for Early Readers for fostering early literacy development in home and school settings.

Mentoring:
The focus of the Penn Literacy Network mentoring program is to provide in-class support of best literacy practices across the curriculum through observations, discussions and/or collaborative teaching. Mentoring consists of two parts: the classroom visit and the conference. The classroom visit is typically 45 minutes long during which the teacher tries out a concept or lesson incorporating strategies that reflect the PLN frameworks of The Five Reading/Writing/Talking Processes and The Four Lenses of Learning. Following the classroom visit, but on the same day, the conference takes place, typically for 20-30 minutes. The conference is a time for the PLN mentor and teacher (or teachers) to share their thoughts and reflections about various aspects of the lesson and to reflect together on the teacher’s next steps regarding implementation

The PLN mentor visits 4-5 classrooms a day with one to three teachers in attendance at a time. The teacher whose classroom is visited sets the focus for the observation/follow up conference. For example, s/he might want the mentor to observe and give feedback about how special needs learners are accommodated during the lesson.

A district or school liaison works with the PLN mentor to set up the schedule and establish communications with the participating teachers.

Educators (teachers, specialists, and administrators) work with a PLN mentor throughout the year to implement practical research-based approaches. Mentoring occurs in conjunction with PLN seminars. The focus is on providing in-school support through observation, discussion, and feedback:

Other Mentoring Options:

1. Nurture implementation in the classroom of the instructional frameworks and practices being facilitated in the seminars for classroom teachers. This could include planning and debriefing sessions with teachers, classroom visitations, and curriculum problem-solving with individual or small groups of teachers.

2. Facilitate departmental and/or grade level discussions focused on building consistency of practice, developing areas of instructional emphasis, and maintaining fidelity to core standards and the PLN frameworks of The Five Reading/Writing/Talking Processes and The Four Lenses of Learning.

3. Meet with instructional coaches to refine and enhance instructional support, problem-solve areas of concern, and provide support as needed to enhance best practice and fidelity to core standards.

4. Meet with school leadership to further the implementation of PLN1 for School Leaders in providing guidance, support, and direction to the initiative.

5. Meet with parents or parent educators to extend a district's/school's implementation of PLN's family literacy and numeracy program(s).

Whole-School Reform:
PLN assists whole-school reform efforts through specific work with school leaders, mentors, and curriculum planning teams. The focus is on supporting teacher implementation of PLN frameworks, setting and maintaining school-wide goals, and aligning administrative and coaching efforts in support of school change. PLN programs for whole-school reform are developed with district/school input and tailored to their specific needs.

Early Childhood Seminars
Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Seminars
Math Seminars
Whole School Reform Efforts and ELL Advanced Seminars
Online Courses