Keys to Literacy Programs
Keys to Literacy's three professional development programs train teachers to provide literacy instruction embedded in classroom instruction using existing reading and curriculum materials: The Key Comprehension Routine (for both upper and primary grades), The Key Vocabulary Routine, and The ANSWER Key to Open Response.
The Key Comprehension Routine: (Grades 4-12)
This program embeds comprehension strategy instruction in all content areas with
the use of existing reading and instruction material. The routine includes these skills and activities:
main idea and text structure, top-down topic webs, two-column notes, summarizing, and generating
questions. When the program is adopted by a school or district, students learn a routine for active
reading and writing that is consistent as they move from grade to grade and subject to subject.
Click here to purchase
The Key Comprehension Routine: Grades 4-12 training book.
The Key Comprehension Routine: (Primary Grades 1-3)
This version of The Key Comprehension Routine: (Primary Grades 1-3) has been adapted for use in grades 1-3. The skills and strategies of the routine have been modified
for introduction through oral language, the use of pictures in addition to words, and more
age-appropriate application of the strategies.
The Key Vocabulary Routine (Grades 3-12)
Similar to The Key Comprehension Routine, this program embeds vocabulary instruction in all content areas, using existing reading and instruction material.
The program combines direct and indirect instruction into a routine of five components: previewing, activities
for teaching related words, selection of content words to teach in-depth, using context and word parts,
and promoting word consciousness. When the program is adopted by a school or district, students
learn a routine for increasing vocabulary knowledge that is consistent as they move from grade
to grade and subject to subject.
Click here
The Key Vocabulary Routine: Grades 3-12 training book.
The ANSWER Key to Open Response (Grades 3-11)
This program provides a routine for teaching students how to answer reading comprehension open response
questions, such as those found on state assessments. The routine is also a good strategy for comprehending
and learning content information from reading.
The following steps comprise the routine:
A: Analyze the Question
N: Note plan
S: Skim, read and select
W: Write the Response
ER: End by Reviewing
During the one-day training for this program, teachers learn how to teach the steps in the routine and have an opportunity to practice with sample open response questions at various grade levels. Participants also generate their own open response questions from classroom reading material, and they learn how to provide constructive feedback to students using a feedback checklist. Click here The ANSWER Key to Open Response training book.
Our Approach to Professional Development
Successful professional development must be easily adaptable and relate directly to what teachers are doing in their classrooms. Research indicates that extensive follow-up training is necessary in order for teachers to successfully implement what they have learned. Follow-up should include opportunities for teachers to develop classroom lessons and to exchange ideas with their peers in small groups. All of Keys to Literacy's professional development programs were developed with this in mind.
CORE TRAINING
Our programs are organized around four essential PD components: initial training, the identification and training of building-based coaches, long-term follow up for teachers, and administrator training. The graphic organizer below illustrates this training model.
CORE TRAINING COMPONENTS
For Teachers:
•Initial Training:
2-day or 1-day
hybrid online
•Guided Practice
•Small-Group Sharing
For Coaches and administrators:
•Coach Training (2 days)
•Administrator Training (half day)
•Coaches and Administrators
Annual Forum (1 day)
ADDITIONAL TRAINING OPTIONS
For schools that have completed basic
training and are implementing our programs,
Keys to Literacy also offers additional training and consultation,
illustrated in the graphic organizer here.
For Teachers:
•Classroom Observation
•Advanced in-depth training
•Classroom Co-Teaching
•Assistance with developing lesson plans
For Coaches:
•Coach Support Session (half or full day)
•Consultation meetings
with building
coaches or administrators
