Harvard Education PR Investigating Disciplinary Literacy: A Framework for Collaborative Professional Learning

Investigating Disciplinary Literacy provides practical, research-based guidance for teachers seeking to strengthen students’ reading, writing, and communication skills in subjects from the humanities to the sciences. The authors present a framework for conducting professional development cycles based on disciplinary literacy-related learning and district-based research projects they have conducted over the past five years.The book outlines the steps in the cycle and identifies four “working habits” essential to initiating and sustaining disciplinary literacy projects: balancing content with process; creating a culture of adaptation and invention; attending equally to intermediate and subject-specific literacy skills; and positioning teachers and leaders as learners within projects. The book, written in a reader-friendly voice, shows how educators can collaboratively explore and implement disciplinary literacy-related practices in context-specific, meaningful ways. From the Back Cover Investigating Disciplinary Literacy provides practical, research-based guidance for teachers seeking to strengthen students' reading, writing, and communication skills in subjects from the humanities to the sciences. The authors present a framework for conducting professional development cycles based on disciplinary literacy-related learning and research projects they have conducted with a range of districts over the past five years. The book shows how educators can collaboratively explore and implement well-grounded practices in context-specific, meaningful ways. "The promise of disciplinary literacy has been unrealized in large part because of systematic implementation issues. This book provides a solution. The authors articulate an approach that will ensure that teachers are supported to engage students in disciplinary thinking. Their recommendations are based on solid research and practical experience and have the potential to transform the learning experiences for adolescents and young adults." --Douglas Fisher, chair, Department of Educational Leadership, San Diego State University "This book is a gift to all involved in professional learning projects in schools--teachers, teacher leaders, instructional coaches, and administrators. The seven-step framework offers a process that centers teachers as collaborative agents of innovation, highlighting the questions and decision points that matter most. Practitioner voices from teachers and school leaders bring the process to life, and the resources included are practical, adaptable, and ready for work!" --Jessica Tunney, faculty lecturer in teacher education, School of Education, University of California, Irvine "In contrast to the eternal top-down school reforms we've experienced in recent decades, the authors embrace school-based, practice-driven, organic, contextual teacher learning. They are grounded at the schoolhouse, they trust teachers, and they are aware of the complexity of school change and school improvement." --Robert J. Weintraub, professor of educational leadership and policy studies, Boston University School of Education Christina L. Dobbs is an assistant professor in the English Education Program at the Boston University School of Education. Jacy Ippolito is an associate professor in the School of Education at Salem State University. Megin Charner-Laird is an assistant professor in the School of Education at Salem State University. About the Author Christina L. Dobbs is a doctoral student in human development and education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.Jacy Ippolito is an assistant professor in the School of Education at Salem State University.Elizabeth A. City is executive director of the Doctor of Education Leadership Program and lecturer on education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.