STEM Doesn't Have To Be This Hard
🕵️ PD Intelligencer - Feb 15 2025
4 min read
🕵️ PD Intelligencer - Jan 25 2025
LINKS FOR YOU
Keep Up To Date With the Latest News
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🛡️ States Step Up to Help Schools Fight Hackers New legislation empowers schools with resources and reporting protocols to combat rising cybersecurity threats.
🎭 See how theater games can boost student engagement while building essential social and academic skills. How—and Why—to Use Improv in the Classroom
📱 Why ‘Brain Rot’ Can Hurt Learning One district's bold stance against phones reveals how constant digital stimulation impacts student learning and behavior.
GRANTS FOR PD
Money To Support Your PD
🎖️ MCASP Grant Support military-connected schools with funding for professional development, academic programs, and virtual learning initiatives.
🎓 CTRA Program Grant Fund teacher apprenticeship programs to address critical staffing shortages in Pennsylvania schools.
🌟 Golden Leaf Schools Initiative Elevate school performance through targeted math instruction and systematic improvements.
📖 African American History Materials Grant Enable development of innovative African American history curriculum materials in South Carolina.
📚 NM Literacy Development Grant Fund structured literacy implementation through high-quality materials, coaching, and aligned district systems.
JOBS
Find Your Best Fit in Education
🔧 Site Technology Support Specialist Lead first-level IT support and troubleshooting for district technology systems at Morongo USD, CA
📚 Elementary Teacher (Grades 3-4) Shape young minds in York, PA as a dedicated intermediate elementary educator.
🎼 2025.26 High School Band Teacher in Scottsdale, AZ: Direct high school band program while fostering musical excellence.
🌎 High School Social Studies Teacher Lead engaging history and social studies courses at the secondary level in Mathis, TX
👥 Assistant Principal (K-8) Support school-wide leadership and academic achievement in K-8 setting in Bremerton, WA
ONE BIG IDEA
Transforming Literacy with Wonders: Beyond Just Reading
What if every student could become not just a proficient reader, but a passionate one?
Enter Wonders, McGraw-Hill's comprehensive literacy program designed specifically for rigorous state standards.
It's more than a reading program - it's a complete literacy ecosystem that transforms how students engage with text.
The power lies in its integrated approach to reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Students don't just read stories - they analyze, discuss, create, and grow as confident communicators.
What Makes Wonders a Literacy Game-Changer
At its core, Wonders recognizes a fundamental truth about literacy instruction: it must be both systematic in its approach and deeply engaging for students.
This dual focus ensures that while students are methodically building their skills, they remain actively invested in their learning journey.
The program artfully integrates multiple components that work in harmony:
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Strategies that advance from basic skills to comprehension, covering phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and vocabulary.
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Tailored instruction pathways provide support for all learners, from struggling readers to advanced and English language learners.
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Interactive multimedia tools that enhance texts and cater to various learning styles
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Real-time assessment tools offer insights for data-driven teaching decisions.
This comprehensive framework empowers teachers to adapt their instruction for diverse learners while maintaining alignment with rigorous state standards.
The program's flexibility allows educators to customize their approach for each student while maintaining academic integrity.
The result is a dynamic learning environment where students don't just learn to read – they develop the full spectrum of literacy skills needed for academic success.
Diving Deeper: The Wonders Literacy Program
The Wonders program represents a comprehensive approach to literacy development, built on decades of research and expertise.
The program's foundation rests on explicit instruction in phonological and phonemic awareness, carefully sequencing these crucial building blocks while providing differentiated learning paths through both small and whole-group instruction.
The result? Every student develops the essential skills needed for reading success.
Reading comprehension takes center stage through:
- Explicit vocabulary and language skill instruction
- High-level discussions driven by targeted questioning
- Development of executive processing skills
- Knowledge building through curated content
Writing instruction is seamlessly integrated throughout the curriculum, recognizing that reading and writing skills strengthen each other.
The program guides students through multiple writing purposes and processes, using writing activities to reinforce and deepen reading comprehension.
Through depth of knowledge questioning and robust support for English language learners, Wonders ensures that every student can access and engage with the material meaningfully.
Social-emotional learning connections are woven throughout, creating a holistic approach to literacy development.
This research-aligned methodology delivers comprehensive literacy instruction while building essential skills through proven methods and carefully sequenced learning activities.
3 Ways to Maximize Your Wonders Implementation
Success with Wonders isn't about implementing everything at once - it's about thoughtfully weaving these elements together to create a rich literacy experience.
Ready to maximize Wonders in your classroom? Here are three strategies that get results.
🎯 Strategic Text Selection
- Use the built-in leveled readers to support differentiation
- Integrate cross-curricular connections
- Leverage digital resources for engagement
- Build vocabulary through meaningful context
🔍 Data-Driven Instruction
- Utilize embedded assessments for targeted intervention
- Track progress with digital tools
- Adjust instruction based on real-time feedback
- Support individual student needs
🌟 Community Engagement
- Connect home and school through Family Resources
- Create reading celebration events
- Share student success stories
- Build a culture of literacy
The magic happens when these approaches work in harmony - creating classrooms where reading isn't just taught, but celebrated.
Through intentional implementation, every student finds their path to literacy success.
Expanding Excellence: Your District Roadmap
For districts implementing Wonders, success depends on strategic planning and sustained support.
The transition requires a delicate balance of structured guidance and flexible adaptation to meet each school's unique needs.
The most successful implementations start with comprehensive training and maintain momentum through ongoing support systems.
Building a network of literacy coaches and teacher leaders creates a sustainable model for continuous improvement.
Key implementation steps:
- Establish coaching support systems with dedicated literacy specialists
- Create collaborative planning time for grade-level teams
- Monitor implementation fidelity through classroom walkthroughs
- Celebrate classroom successes and share effective practices
Your Path to Wonders Success
Start small and build confidence gradually. Focus on mastering one component before expanding to others, and leverage the experience of colleagues who've found success with the program.
Start with:
- Choose one component to master
- Document student growth to track impact
- Share successful strategies across grade levels
Pro Tip: Most districts offer ongoing Wonders training. Connect with your literacy coach to explore personalized support and resources.
Steps to Transform Your Literacy Journey
Whether you're just starting with Wonders or looking to deepen your implementation, remember that lasting change happens one step at a time.
The most successful transformations often start with small, intentional shifts in practice that build momentum over time.
- Start with what resonates most for your classroom
Build on your successes - Watch your students grow into confident, enthusiastic readers
Each small victory – from a struggling reader mastering a challenging text to a quiet student leading their first discussion – adds up to create a vibrant literacy community where every student can thrive.
The path to literacy excellence isn't about perfection – it's about progress, persistence, and celebrating the journey along the way.
UNTIL NEXT WEEK
Before you go: Here is how we can help
Alludo - we have helped district leaders across the country increase capacity in thousands of schools by successfully delivering millions of evidence-based professional learning lessons to their educators and staff members.
See you next Saturday!
Rebecca
