Have you heard about the recent update to the Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy for Grades K to 3? You might be curious as to why the update was necessary. The original document was published in 2016 to enhance children’s literacy development in Michigan. It identified ten research-supported instructional practices for kindergarten to third grade to be utilized in “every classroom, every day for every child.” The authors intended to review and update this document every five years. The impact of the pandemic delayed the update until now. 

Five Key Updates to the Literacy Essentials Document

In June 2023, the Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy (grades K to 3) were updated based on current research. While the ten original research-supported instructional practices still stand, here are five items to highlight from the updated version:

1. Content Overview and Purpose: The updates include two new sections: “Core Commitments” and “Enabling Conditions.” These sections aim to give the reader an overview of the document’s contents and highlight the shared purpose and values that guided its creation in 2016. The document emphasizes the importance of providing all children with research-based instructional practices in early literacy, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, language, culture, or other characteristics. The Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy should be implemented in every classroom, every day for every child, and across all content areas, not just literacy. It is essential to focus on developing the whole child, not just their literacy skills.
2. Integrated Literacy Practices: It is important to understand that essential literacy practices are connected and necessary for literacy development. Literacy should be encouraged throughout the day, not just in a separate time block. It is also important to remember that literacy should not replace other important subjects such as science or social studies. There are ways to integrate literacy with other subjects, for example, making connections between phonics and scientific vocabulary, organizing science or social studies text sets with a literacy focus, encouraging academic productive talk during science and social studies, and having students write about scientific phenomena and explain their understanding of the causes.
3. Enhancing Instructional Clarity: Based on feedback from educators across the state through the EPIC Survey, the authors have clarified the instructional practices to provide better implementation clarity. For instance, they added the phrase “identifying words based on” in Essential #3, Bullet #2, for better understanding. Additionally, they reordered the prompts to match the typical sequence of events during reading. Finally, they have included new sample studies in the endnotes section.
4. Diverse Language Instruction: Focusing on instructional practices suitable for children of diverse linguistic backgrounds is essential. Translanguaging, which involves utilizing all linguistic and cognitive resources, including one’s native language, to comprehend academic content in a new language, is a helpful approach. Employing multiple languages can be beneficial, as it encourages language versatility for all students. As they enhance their literacy abilities, students can experiment with different languages, think outside the box, and unleash their creativity.
5. Including Caregivers and Community: The recent updates modified the term “family” to “Caregivers and community members” as they are vital in promoting literacy among children. Inviting a community member to the classroom can be highly beneficial as it enables teachers to utilize their students’ experiences outside the school and foster the whole child’s development in the classroom. 

Collaborate with Kent ISD Coaches: Learn Essential Literacy Practices

If you are an Educator, Teacher Leader, or Literacy Coach and want more information about any Essential Instructional Practices (Early and Elementary Literacy, Disciplinary Literacy, and Coaching Practices), join us for the Literacy Leaders and Coaches Network (LLCN) Meeting on September 20, 2023. LLCN is the only community in West Michigan that provides ongoing professional learning to connect leaders, enhance practice, and improve literacy.

The Kent ISD Literacy Coaches are well-informed about the Literacy Essentials documents. During the asynchronous morning sessions of each meeting, you or a team from your building will have the opportunity to research and study the Literacy Essentials. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to learn more through presentations, discussions, and idea exchanges with others on a similar journey, as well as receive guidance from Kent ISD staff. By collaborating, we can plan and implement the next steps to improve literacy for ALL students in your classrooms.

Please note that if you cannot attend the first meeting, we have arranged three meetings this year, and you have the option to participate in one, two, or all three! Sign up for LLCN today! 

#LiteracyUpdates #EssentialPractices #DiverseInstruction #CommunityEngagement #LLCN2023 #WeLeadLearning #KentISDpd

This blog post was written by Sonali Deshpande, Early Literacy Coach for Kent ISD and edited by Sarah Shoemaker, Early Literacy Coach for Kent ISD and Amanda Walma, Marketing and Communications for Teaching and Learning at Kent ISD.