KENNETT, Mo. -- Twenty-nine teachers from around the area gathered for three days in the Masterson Elementary School library to learn techniques to establish a balanced literacy program for their classrooms.
Flory Simon, with the nationally based company, The Wright Group, led the three-day workshop, which taught the teachers different ways to approach reading and writing in their own classrooms.
The first day focused on a balanced reading program for kindergarten through second grade. The second day narrowed in on writing in the classroom, and the third day combined what had been learned.
Simon, of Tucson, Ariz., has taught kindergarten through second grade for 31 years and teaches a first- and second-grade mixed-age classroom. Simon has been with The Wright Group for seven years.
The Wright Group's philosophy is one of balance. The group thinks "a balanced literacy program provides essential skills and strategy instruction within the context of meaningful authentic reading, writing and language activities, Simon said.
Simon travels the United States instructing teachers in workshops similar to the one held in Kennett.
Four of the 29 teachers were from the neighboring Senath-Hornersville School District. Fifteen Masterson Elementary School teachers were in attendance, six kindergarten teachers and four teachers from the South School.
One technique Simon taught the group to use is the KWL approach to learning. "K" stands for what the child knows. "W" is what the child wants to learn. "L" stands for what the child has learned.
According to Simon, it is the process, not the product, when it comes to a student's writing ability.
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