home

Welcome to the BLaST Literacy Community. This group was organized as a means to stay current in the field of literacy instruction through a network of coll eagues dedicated to continual professional development in order to better understand literacy instruction. This community will share findings in the research, discuss key issues in the field and serve as a support network for those trying to implement effective literacy instruction.

Members of this community will consist of elementary teachers, secondary teachers, special education teachers, literacy tutors, literacy coaches, and content specialists. At times, it may be more appropriate for this group to split into smaller communities to focus on specific issues centered on a topic or instructional level, but it is hopeful that this will always be viewed as a larger community of learners.

The success of this community will depend upon the dedication its members. Members should not feel obligated to devote large amounts of time to this endeavor, but rather will come to rely on the support offered by this community. The first book study group will be worth 8 Act 48 hours. The readings and discussions should require no more than an hour a week, but members may devote more time to the community through the "Issues in Practice" page or the "Additional Readings" page. All members of the community will have editing rights to this website and may add materials at any time.

The management of the BLaST Literacy Community will be a shared endeavor. Members will sign up to be the lead facilitator for specific sections of the selected readings. It is anticipated that these selections will be organized into weekly segments and that participants will post discussion points on Monday of the week in which they will be facilitating. Members will be given until the following Monday to respond to the discussion points, before the next facilitator posts his/her points. Any member unable to fulfill their requirements during any of the weeks, should contact the group moderator at abreon@iu17.org

Membership to this site is strictly voluntary. Participants will be notified when a new reading choice begins and can elect to be a part of that discussion or wait for another depending upon their interest. Those choosing to participate in a book discussion will be responsible for tracking their own Act 48 hours and submitting them at their district level.

Questions, suggestions, or concerns can be addressed to Amy Breon at abreon@iu17.org, who will serve as the moderator of the site. 