Zip Zoom English With professional development from Scholastic Red

Zip Zoom English With professional development from Scholastic Red Aligns to Zip Zoom English is a research-based multimedia program designed for English-language learners (ELLs) in kindergarten through third grade. The following chart details how Zip Zoom English, with professional development support from Scholastic RED, addresses these Reading First criteria* and can enrich and strengthen a comprehensive reading program: Instructional Assessments Instructional Programs and Strategies Instructional Materials Access to Print Materials Instructional Leadership Professional Development Scholastic Products Instructional Assessments Zip Zoom English Valid and reliable screening, diagnostic, and classroom-based assessments Zip Zoom English contains evaluation tools that provide instructors and staff with information they can use to determine student achievement gains. A placement assessment for initial placement Progress Monitoring Assessments which provide formal, periodic checks A Teacher Manager that provides data-driven reports about student assessment scores Outcomes Assessments that provide mid- and endof-level learning snapshots of English-language learners beginning the transition to English The software management system allows teachers to review and print Ongoing Progress Monitoring Reports for each student. The software also contains a Message Center where messages and alerts guide teachers and keep them informed of student progress. Assessments that are aligned with the instructional program and that measure progress in the five essential elements of reading instruction (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension) Formal and informal assessments in Zip Zoom English provide support which helps make instructional decisions as students progress through the lessons on each level. An assessment can be made to identify patterns and trends in a child s progress and to adjust instruction and tailor practice. After each even-numbered lesson, children receive a formal assessment on the software. The assessment provides periodic checks on phonology, oral vocabulary, and critical words. In addition, each lesson provides learning goals for language, literacy and content knowledge. During Teacher- Led instruction, the Progress-Monitoring checklists can be used to gather informal data about each student s learning and progress. *From the Guidance for the Reading First Program and the for Review of State Applications, United States Department of Education June 2006 1

Zip Zoom English Alignment to Instructional Programs and Strategies/ Instructional Materials Instructional strategies and programs based on scientifically based reading research Scholastic Products Zip Zoom English Zip Zoom English is a research-based program that combines technology with texts designed for Englishlanguage learners in kindergarten through third grade. In 1999, the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) received a five-year grant from the US Department of Education to develop NEARStar: Network for English Language Acquisition and Reading, A Star Schools Project. The primary goal was to develop software to address the English language acquisition and literacy needs of young English-language learners. In 2000-2001, PREL tested its first NEARStar prototype at developmental school sites. It then expanded to 23 sites in 12 states, serving approximately 3,100 English-language learners in kindergarten through third grade. In 2002-2004 WestEd conducted a two-year independent research study with 658 Englishlanguage learners in kindergarten through second grade to determine NEARStar s effectiveness in developing English-language learners language and literacy skills. The study revealed a consistent trend of improved phonemic awareness, phonics, and sight word recognition for English-language learners using NEARstar. In 2004, English-language learners and their teachers responded positively to a formative evaluation of NEARStar conducted by the Education Development Center/Center for Children and Technology (CCT). Based on feedback from CCT and subsequent Teacher Round Tables, Scholastic expanded the authorship team to include Dr Elfrieda Hiebert, Dr. Maria Carlo, Dr. Diane August, and Chauncey Veatch, as well as made modifications to the scope and sequence, instructional path, oral vocabulary, assessments and teacher management system. June 2006 2

Zip Zoom English Alignment to Instructional strategies and programs that provide explicit and systematic instruction in the five essential components of reading: Phonemic awareness Phonics Vocabulary Fluency Comprehension Scholastic Products Research-based Zip Zoom English is scientifically proven to accelerate oral language, vocabulary, sight word recognition and fluency Phonemic Awareness Songs and chants reinforce specific sounds and key phonological and phonemic awareness tasks. Children learn, repeat, and choose words targeted for initial vowel and consonant sounds, covering all 26 letters of the alphabet. Phonics Children develop sound and letter knowledge while building and spelling new words and using them in sentences. Children progress to decoding words that include consonants, digraphs, diphthongs, blends, variant vowels, and advanced phonic elements. Vocabulary Children build content knowledge and practice vocabulary through animated lessons. The Read-Aloud Library and the Critical-Word Readers provide practice with vocabulary including high-frequency, high-meaning, and phonetically regular words. Fluency Students listen to modeled readings from a selection of classic and non-fiction titles in a variety of topics and genres. Students develop and improve fluency through echo reading, choral reading, partner reading, and repetition. Comprehension Teachers preview books to draw on children s prior knowledge, discuss context clues, and encourage children to picture and describe what they read. Students develop comprehension strategies such as making predictions, rereading, summarizing, sequence of events, story structure, etc. June 2006 3

Zip Zoom English Alignment to Materials and programs that provide explicit instructional strategies, have a coordinated instructional sequence, and offer ample practice opportunities Scholastic Products Zip Zoom English provides instructional, review, and practice activities that help students develop critical language and reading skills. The program is available in Levels 1-3 to flexibly meet the needs of students in Grades K-3. The ten lessons in each level follow this format: Sessions 1 and 2 Teachers pre-teach content-area vocabulary. Teachers introduce and read a story from the Read- Aloud Library, modeling language and comprehension skills, such as, rereading, clarifying, summarizing, and predicting. Teachers ask open-ended questions that stimulate children to think and talk about the story. These questions are designed to prompt long answers, text-related discussion, and analytical thinking that are proven critical to comprehension and word acquisition. Sessions 3 and 4 Lessons provide multiple exposure to content vocabulary through, interactive class discussions, word webs, writing activities, and pictures. The Word & Picture Book provides a colorful, contextualized setting for reinforcing the targeted vocabulary. Language usage is expanded through using a routine, modeling and partner practice. Sessions 5 and 6 Phonemic Awareness and phonics skills are taught using the Song & Chant Poster Book and Phonemic Awareness Songs & Rhymes book. Students participate in writing and illustration activities which help make connections and practice additional skills, such as concepts of print. Sessions 7 and 8 Lessons provide students the opportunity to bring together the vocabulary, phonemic awareness, and phonics skills, which allow them to decode and read the Critical-Word Readers. Students do repeated readings of the stories independently or with a partner to build fluency. Sessions 9 and 10 The final sessions review and reinforce the new skills and vocabulary to prepare children for assessments. Students revisit one or more of the following components: Read-Aloud book, Word & Picture Book, and the Critical-Word Readers Students take a formalized assessment from the software after every even-numbered lesson. June 2006 4

Zip Zoom English Alignment to Materials and strategies that are aligned with the instructional program and to state standards Materials and programs that are integrated with and connect meaningfully to the comprehensive reading program Scholastic Products The Zip Zoom English lessons center on high-interest, relevant science and social studies topics. These topics are filled with vibrant language and literacy instruction. Topics address curriculum standards and children s interests. Language and literacy skills are taught simultaneously. Standards-driven content goals ensure academic success. Lessons are aligned to the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) standards. There is explicit instruction in phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics and decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Writing lessons include teacher-led, daily independent and responsive writing. Students learn, practice, and develop the skills they need to meet state standards. Zip Zoom English is designed to complement any core reading or ESL program. The following Zip Zoom English resources provide teachers with the tools they need to successfully increase students achievement: Scholastic Zip Zoom English Software Engages children in critical language and reading practice with interactive visual and auditory supports that scaffold learning and motivate students Critical-Word Readers and Audio CDs (60 titles, 20 per level, 6 copies each) Books and CDs that connect children s knowledge about the lesson topic and oral language skills to reading and literacy Read-Aloud Library (Ten per level) Includes multiple genres to use with each lesson Word & Picture Book Teaches content vocabulary, language structures, and reinforces content knowledge Zip Zoom Song & Chant Poster Book and Audio CD Resources to help children learn specific sound and sound placement in words as well as key phonological and phonemic awareness tasks Phonemic Awareness Songs & Chants A resource to teach classic nursery rhymes and chants to develop phonological and phonemic awareness skills Teacher Resources CD (one per level) A level-specific CD that contains printable resources for instruction, differentiated practice, and assessment, as well as professional development video workshops Zip Zoom English Professional Guide A teaching guide with ten topics that scaffold learning with direct instruction, skills practice, and technology Zip Zoom Teacher Manager Stores student data, tracks progress, and generates reports based on software performance June 2006 5

Zip Zoom English Alignment to Strategies to meet the needs of all students, including those that are below grade level, limited English proficient, and students with disabilities Scholastic Products Zip Zoom English is a multimedia program that helps build language and literacy proficiency in young English-language learners. It is designed to complement a comprehensive reading and ESL program. Zip Zoom English provides teaching materials and resources to motivate English-language learners and help them develop critical language and reading skills. There are three distinct language and literacy proficiency levels based on topics and concepts that have meaning for children. Each of the three content-rich levels consists of ten topicbased lessons which deliver curriculum, instruction, interactive learning, and differentiated practice. Level 1 is targeted at children who are beginning to acquire English, and aim to advance their speech production and emergent levels of literacy. Level 2 is targeted at children who are at the early production stage of oral language acquisition and helps them advance to the speech emergence stage and early literacy level. Level 3 is targeted at children who are at the speech-emergence stage of oral language acquisition and at an early literacy level. Strategies that accelerate performance and monitor progress of students who are reading below grade level Zip Zoom English provides academic enrichment in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Students read books in a variety of topics and genres which provide oral language models for teaching content knowledge, vocabulary, comprehension and communication. Students participate in writing and illustration activities which help make connections and practice additional skills, such as concepts of print. Students develop and practice oral language skills using software, read-aloud books, and through direct instruction. Zip Zoom English contains options and features that help below-level children succeed and build confidence. The program offers a self-paced learning environment with tailored instruction and support to meet each child s needs. Each lesson begins with a tip to engage families and includes resources, such as family letters and take-home books. Each lesson concludes with learning activities for differentiated practice. During this rotation, children may work independently, in pairs, or in small groups. June 2006 6

Zip Zoom English Alignment to Strategies that accelerate performance and monitor progress of students who are reading below grade level Continued Scholastic Products Formal and informal assessments in Zip Zoom English provide support which help make instructional decisions as students progress through the lessons on each level. An assessment can be made to identify patterns and trends in a child s progress and to adjust instruction and tailor practice. Access to Print Materials Zip Zoom English Variety of engaging reading materials including expository and narrative The program s literature is available in a variety of topics and genres. Selections include books by favorite and awardwinning authors and illustrators. The high-interest literature is age-appropriate and engaging. The program includes 30 read-aloud books in three levels, and 60 Critical-Word Readers in three levels, so the material is appropriately challenging. Materials to promote reading and library programs Children using Zip Zoom English experience success, build confidence, and enjoy reading. The Software, Songs & Chants, Critical Word Readers and Word & Picture Book provide reading support, and skills reinforcement, which all contribute to students reading success. Music, sound effects, and colorful illustrations keep young learners engaged in text, while student s build comprehension and fluency. The high-interest Read-Aloud Library books are leveled selections in multiple genres that provide children with continued reading practice. Instructional Leadership Scholastic RED Training for principals and building leaders in the essential components of reading and the specific instructional programs and materials in use in their buildings, including the scientific base, implementation process and progress monitoring related to those programs and materials Scholastic RED helps ensure that Principals, Reading Coaches, and building leaders have all the resources they need to implement a scientifically based reading program. On-site training helps principals understand their role in the professional development taking place in their schools. The training also supports them as instructional leaders. For each RED course, they receive a Principal s Guide, which includes: a. A review of reading research b. Content overview of the RED course c. Learning snapshots to guide principals as they conduct classroom observations of researchbased teaching strategies d. Tools for coaching teachers District Facilitators are trained to use effective techniques for observing, coaching, and mentoring in order to provide effective ongoing support for teachers. Building leaders receive intensive instruction on the essential components of reading instruction through Scholastic RED courses and services. June 2006 7

Zip Zoom English Alignment to Professional Development Use of a variety of delivery methods to carry out intensive and focused professional development in: 1. Essential components of reading instruction Scholastic Products Zip Zoom English and Scholastic RED Zip Zoom English includes enrollment in the Scholastic Red facilitated online course, Reading Success for English Language Learners. The seven online sessions focus on developing key knowledge and literacy skills that most benefit ELLs: Session 1: The Context for Teaching English- Language Learners to Read Session 2: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, and Spelling Instructions Session 3: Fluency Instruction and Practice Session 4: Vocabulary Is Critical to Success in Comprehension Session 5: Teaching Students to Comprehend a Wide Variety of Texts Session 6: Writing with English-Language Learners Session 7: Content-Area Instruction for English Language Learners The Zip Zoom English program also includes Video Workshops for each of the five elements of reading: Phonological and Phonemic Awareness Phonics and Decoding Vocabulary Comprehension Reading Fluency In addition, RED provides professional development designed to meet the requirements of Reading First. RED offers five research-based, facilitated online courses that specifically address the essential elements of reading instruction for Grades K-3: Putting Reading First in Your Classroom, Grades K-2 Building Fluency, Grades K-2 Reading Success for English Language Learners, Grades K-3 Building Vocabulary for Reading Success, Grades K-3 Guided Reading: Making it Work in Your Classroom, Grades K-6 Building Decoding Skills and Strategies, 3-5 Improving Reading Comprehension, 3-5 Improving Fluency, 3-8 June 2006 8

Zip Zoom English Alignment to 2. Implementing scientifically based instructional materials, programs, and strategies Scholastic Products Researchers Dr. Elfrieda Hiebert and Dr. Charles Fisher scientifically proved Zip Zoom English to be effective in increasing oral reading fluency. Teachers learn how to successfully implement the program through a one-day Professional Development and Implementation Training course, professional development video workshops, and the Scholastic Red course. All professional development from Scholastic RED is grounded in research-based, validated practices that result in teachers learning and applying new strategies that directly influence student performance. The Scholastic RED course incorporates the characteristics that research confirms are key for effective professional development: Research-based content and strategies Modeling and presentations by skilled practitioners Practice in a controlled, risk-free environment Coaching, feedback, and reflection Coherence and alignment to academic standards and core reading programs Promotion of strong, shared leadership by principals and district leaders More than 10,000 teachers in over 150 school districts have participated in Scholastic RED professional development. Teachers, RED course facilitators, and principals report that: 3. Screening, diagnostic, and classroom-based instructional assessments Scholastic RED courses helped them learn about research-based methods and strategies. Scholastic RED materials can be implemented immediately into classroom activities. The modeling of effective strategies helped teachers apply the skills in their classrooms. Local Facilitator-led meetings provide valuable opportunities for additional instruction, collaboration, and personalized support. Scholastic RED courses include assessment skills and strategies for working with different student populations, including special education students, ELD/ELL, and advanced learners. Subsequent to modeling and practice of such assessments, teachers receive ideas and resources for targeting instruction based on diagnostic data. In ongoing professional development, RED-trained Facilitators can instruct teachers on how to use data and diagnostic assessments to inform instruction. June 2006 9

Zip Zoom English Alignment to Professional development that is ongoing, continuous, and includes the use of coaches and other teachers of reading who provide feedback as instructional strategies are put in place Scholastic Products District Reading Coaches and Staff Developers receive special training to become RED Facilitators, who can provide teachers with ongoing, continuous support. Through this training, Facilitators: Become familiar with the online courses, including all research-based content and accompanying materials Receive tools and training for observing and coaching teachers who are implementing newly learned strategies Learn how to demonstrate course strategies in Facilitator-led workshops and in teachers classrooms Receive a Facilitators Handbook, which contains: a. Explicit plans, activities, and agendas to conduct workshops b. Management tools, including observation and evaluation forms c. Guidelines for conducting classroom demonstration lessons RED Facilitators receive ongoing support through the Facilitator Care Program, which offers: An online discussion board guided by RED Reading Consultants Offline guidance from RED Reading Consultants A toll-free hotline for technical support Recommended professional reading and web links June 2006 10