Dialects in the Classroom

The four cornerstones of teaching are essential and should be incorporated into all planning and instructional delivery for every student. 

Assessment 

Assessment plays a pivotal role in effective instruction. Evaluating the five components is crucial for successful teaching and learning. In Louisiana, all K-3 students must take a literacy screener within the first thirty days of school. The Dynamic Indicator of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS)1  is the assessment approved by the Louisiana Department of Education. DIBELS measures were specifically designed to assess Phonemic Awareness, Alphabetic Principle (Phonics), fluency, and reading comprehension. Each DIBELS measure has been thoroughly researched and demonstrated to be a reliable and valid indicator of early literacy development (University of Oregon online). These components are critical for reading success and the scores indicate the status and progress of all learners.

Small-group instruction 

Small-group instructionoffers significant benefits as it enhances the impact of lessons on students. Numerous research studies have demonstrated the superiority of small-group reading instruction over whole-class instruction. Smaller groups, typically consisting of 3 to 4 students, have proven to be more efficient in terms of teacher and student time, cost-effectiveness, increased instructional time, enhanced peer interaction, and improved skill generalization. Implementing small-group instruction necessitates careful planning, organization, and adaptation of instruction, methods, and materials to suit the groups specific needs. Tailoring materials to individual students further amplifies the benefits.2

Explicit Instruction

Explicit instruction involves clear and visible teaching methods. Teachers use concise language to explain new concepts and strategies. This instructional approach entails modeling and providing explanations using multiple examples. Teachers offer extensive support to students as they practice and apply the newly acquired knowledge and skills. Throughout the process, there is a gradual shift in control from teacher to student.

Systematic Instruction 

Systematic instruction introduces skills from simple to complex, following a meticulously designed plan of instructional steps. It is purposeful, planned, and sequentially structured. For reading instruction, this means we begin with the simplest and most regular phonics patterns (short vowels in CVC syllables) and progress to more and more complex and/or rare patterns (such as silent letters or the OUGH rime).  During the initial stages of learning, systematic instruction provides students with extensive teacher support.

Below is an outline of practices that should be incorporated in a New Orleans classroom. The next section is designed by component. Each component area includes the definition of the component, discussion of the research supporting its implementation, and identification of the best practices and instructional suggestions.