Vancouver School District continues to focus on Early Intervention in addressing the literacy needs of at risks students in Kindergarten to Grade 3. Presently, about half of the schools in the district (49 schools) are implementing the Early Intervention Model where Reading Recovery (one to one, 5 times a week) addresses the most at risk learners, small group reading/writing groups (4 students 4 times a week) focus in on tier two students and a comprehensive literacy program in classrooms for all learners. The district continues to support the ongoing professional development of over 65 Reading Recovery teachers to support this EI Model. The District EI Team has concentrated on facilitating and building collaboration and professional learning among members of school teams.

"Catching Readers Before They Fall" Conference with Pat Johnson and Katie Keier is well subscribed for Friday, January 31st at the Croatian Cultural Centre. We look forward to a full day of literacy learning through addressing whole class practice and differentiated reading instruction for diverse learners in the classrooms.

Pat Johnson is returning to continue the conversation with the Changing Results for Young Readers (CR4YRs) Network session on Thursday, April 10th and Friday, April 11th at the Sheraton Airport Hilton Hotel in Richmond. The presentation on April 10th will be for CR4YR's district teams.  Registration is open to all for the Friday, April 11th through  http://catchingreaders.ourconference.ca/

Changing Results for Young Readers (CR4YRs)  - We have two cohorts from Kindergarten to Grade Three and one cohort focusing on Grade Eight to Twelve (Changing Results for Adolescents). Teachers are looking closely at many complex learners who are struggling in reading, learning, engagement and motivation in our schools. Many teachers are examining how to meet students' needs with through differentiated instruction in small groups and one to one conferences.

Regie Routman Reading and Writing Connection video based series is supporting a group of teachers to delve deeper into building the reciprocity between reading and writing. Highlights of learning include the following:

• It is important of providing enough opportunities for students to work through "We Do" stage of the Optimal Learning Model (Gradual Release Responsibility) by gradually shifting greater responsibility of learning to students before moving to the "You Do" stage.
• Including students in the organization and set up of the classroom library gives them greater ownership of books and materials.

Reggio Emilia Inquiry Team with over 30 teachers are meeting five times over the year to inquiry further into applying different aspects of Reggio inspired teaching and learning in classrooms from Kindergarten to Grade Five. Teachers are exploring:

• documentation of student learning, 
• inquiry base learning through the arts,
• environment as a third teacher
• Geography of Story Workshop (based on the Opal School model)