Bellingham School District Core Understandings and Common Practices For Literacy Instruction Elementary Level
Common Practice I Sufficient daily time must be allocated for reading and writing instruction to ensure that all students become successful readers and writers.
Core Understandings	District Policy & State Code References
· Students in our schools come from widely diverse backgrounds, and varied opportunities to learn. · Each student must be provided with rich opportunities to acquire sophisticated and diverse literacy through consistent interaction with text.	· WAC 100.50.115 · RCW 28A.230.020 · RCW 28A.150.240 · BSD Policy 2004 · RCW 28A.150.230(2C)
Common Practice II Continuous assessment is used to measure and evaluate student progress as well as to identify appropriate instructional objectives and approaches.
Core Understandings	District Policy & State Code References
· Instructional decisions should be based on teacher knowledge of individual student strengths and learning needs. · Information gained through continuous assessment and evaluation of results provides the foundation for instructional decision-making. · Teachers must be careful observers of reading behaviors and scaffold new learning for their students.	· WAC 180.44.011 · RCW 2AA.230.2A · RCW 28A.320 · RCW 28A.150.240 · BSD 2130, 2421
Common Practice III Reading and writing instruction are linked and taught as complementary processes.
Core Understandings	District Policy & State Code References
· Reading and writing are similar processes that involve construction of meaning. · Writing leads to improvement in reading achievement and reading improves writing achievement. · Combined reading and writing instruction increases the level students engage in critical thinking.	· BSD 2421 · RCW 28A.405.060 · WAC 180.44.010