SD8 Kootenay Lake is advancing our commitment to student success with focused initiatives in literacy and numeracy. This fall, we launched engaging professional learning opportunities for teachers, fostering collaborative communities of practice in numeracy and literacy.

Numeracy Workshop Series

Led by renowned numeracy expert Chris Hunter, the "Standards-Based Assessment: From Gathering Points to Gathering Data" series is empowering educators to design assessments that align with learning standards. These sessions equip teachers with tools to effectively measure proficiency and guide instruction, ensuring all students engage in meaningful mathematical problem-solving. District numeracy 4-12 teacher Jonathan Brooks is facilitating this community of practice.

Literacy Demonstration Classrooms

As part of the District Literacy Assessment Pilot for grades 4-7, demonstration classrooms provide teachers with hands-on experience in assessment and instructional planning. Observers gain practical knowledge in conducting reading records, collaboratively marking assessments, and creating class reading profiles. To date, district literacy 4-12 teacher Melanie Mobbs has facilitated 4 demonstration classrooms across each of the families of schools to enhance instructional strategies and foster professional networks across the district. In addition, a fall book study for intermediate teachers “Shifting the Balance” has been successful in supporting teachers with targeted strategies based on the science of reading.

These initiatives align with our district’s action plans for literacy and numeracy, ensuring evidence-based, equitable learning opportunities for all students.
 

Tamara Malloff, District Principal, Innovative Learning Services