The Collaborative for Equity in Literacy Learning
Some Recent Events
Our Mission
CELL’s mission is to actively conduct research that has a direct impact on classroom literacy instruction and the preparation of teachers of literacy, and that provides support and outreach to teachers, schools, and other stakeholders who have the goal of promoting literacy equity in the surrounding communities.
Specific goals of the Center include:
- Provide an institutional and professional community for faculty, students, and administrators to conduct and promote applied research focused on high quality literacy instruction and the preparation of teachers of literacy
- Provide outreach for PreK-12 educational communities and parents/caregivers across the region that will promote high quality, research supported, reading and writing instruction
- Develop and foster partnerships with diverse stakeholders to support creative and innovative ways to solve practical problems facing teachers and schools throughout the region
- Provide high quality literacy instruction to PreK-12 students in the surrounding communities
Mount Saint Mary College’s teacher candidates are continuously creating and finding resources from fieldwork experiences that can be shared with teachers.
Windows into Literacy
Mrs. Benfer and Ms. Lynch introduce their fourth grade students to the Question-Answer Relationships (QAR) strategy by showing everyday classroom examples of “right there” and “on my own” questions, and giving example question stems for each. The students then practice identifying each kind of question. Ms. Lynch then leads a small group in a shared writing exercise where they use pictures to help them answer a question about their text by writing a paragraph with a topic sentence and supporting details. Mrs. Benfer then guides a small group in writing their own “right there” and “on my own” questions as they read.
Play
Windows into Literacy
Mrs. Benfer and Ms. Lynch introduce their fourth grade students to the Question-Answer Relationships (QAR) strategy by showing everyday classroom examples of “right there” and “on my own” questions, and giving example question stems for each. The students then practice identifying each kind of question. Ms. Lynch then leads a small group in a shared writing exercise where they use pictures to help them answer a question about their text by writing a paragraph with a topic sentence and supporting details. Mrs. Benfer then guides a small group in writing their own “right there” and “on my own” questions as they read.
Collaborative for Equity in Literacy Learning
