Professional Learning Plan Goal

Emily Graves
September 20th, 2016
I took quite some time deliberating what subject I should choose as my growth plan. There are
so many ways that I would love to continue to grow. I am truly a lifelong learner and reflector.
However, after reflecting, I decided to focus on literacy. First and foremost, it is something I
am truly passionate about in life. In fact, when I began my college education it was in the
bachelor of arts english program at Red Deer College. It has always been my favourite
subject in school. Yet, not all students enjoy language arts. Some students can find it very
difficult and struggle to read and write. Thus, I must ask myself an important question: how
can I make my students fall in love with literacy and develop that essential knowledge that is
fundamental for not only all the other core subjects, but also for life? Lately, I have been trying
to gather information for my practicum and I have been hearing a lot about daily five. It seems
to be a very hot topic in schools! I am very interested to pursue daily five and to find the
ultimate path to success as a teacher in language arts. What will be most effective in the
classroom? Stay tuned.
Guiding Question:
How can I further my knowledge on literacy in order to enhance the language arts experience
in my classroom?
Strategies:

Timeline:
Assessment: I will use fountas and pinnell as well as other testing tools in
order to gain knowledge on the resource and to assess where my students are in
order to assess their development in literacy over the course of my growth plan.
(Timeline: September/October)
Pinterest/the internet: I will use pinterest to find fun, engaging and informative
literacy techniques/lessons. (Timeline: mostly before February, before full-time
teaching at my practicum school.)
The Daily Five Second Edition book by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser: I
will read this daily five book in order to understand and implement this literacy plan
which many find very successful. (Timeline: done by the end of January, before fulltime teaching at my practicum school.)
In The Middle book by Atwell: I will look over sections of this text in order
to learn more about literacy techniques such as guided reading etc. (Timeline: mostly
before February, before full-time teaching at my practicum school.)
PD sessions: I will attend any PD sessions I can on literacy or strategies that
can be utilized in language arts. (Timeline: TBA dates)
Practicum teachers: I will observe and reflect on my mentor teachers literacy
education style and ideas, as well as those of other professionals at my practicum
school. Additionally, Many teachers at my practicum school have invited me to visit
their classes. Im hoping to get into daily five classes in order to see the process in
action. (Timeline: throughout my extended practicum)
Students: I will talk to my students and find out what they enjoy/works best for
them. (Timeline: constant feedback throughout my extended practicum)

 Student communication box: I have a box in my class I use for student

feedback throughout the year which I plan to utilize again in my second practicum. I
find it highly useful to get to know the group of students and their needs. (Timeline:
constant feedback throughout extended practicum)
Class lectures and my professors: I will use strategies and knowledge
gained from courses and professors when applicable. (Timeline: throughout education)
Blogging/journaling: I will blog about my experience and growth with literacy
while in my extended practicum this year. This is an important process for me to find
out what works, what doesnt work and what my literacy philosophy is. (Timeline:
throughout extended practicum)
Practice: use and implement researched strategies in order to tell first hand if it
is successful/beneficial. (Timeline: throughout extended practicum)
Resources Required:
Pinterest, internet, videos, PD sessions related to literacy for research
purposes
Trained literacy skill specialists (our inclusion coach works with literacy at
L.U.E.S.)
Weaker students that struggle with literacy
To reference and study the improvement/difficulties on
While analyzing these cases I could also speak to parents and
teachers to understand more about their level of literacy
My mentor teacher, Mrs. Norris
Observing her strategies/advice
Asking for advice or clarification when I am unsure
Other teachers that I have the opportunity to observe or speak to (some that
incorporate daily 5 in their daily rituals)
Students
Speaking to the source (what they find works/what doesnt work)
Assessment tools (such as fountas and pinnell)
To make a plan: gain an understanding at where my students
are at, where I want them to be and a plan moving forward
Communication Box
Students can voice their opinions in writing and share it with me
by placing it in the box for me to view later on.
Indicators and Measures of Success:
I have gained confidence in myself as a language arts teacher
I have gathered useful tools and strategies
I am competent teaching daily five in class
I understand how students develop literacy
I implement different strategies and tools in my teaching
I have observed success in student literacy growth
I have assessed my students and found an improvement
I have kept a blog that indicates my development and increase in knowledge
I have received positive feedback on my development from my mentor teacher