The Principal as Early Literacy Leader
December 2008 | 160 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452293820
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ISBN: 9781412963077
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Description

"Getting down from the ivory tower and stepping out of the principal's office, these authors offer some of the most important and useful books about leadership that principals can buy."
—Andy Hargreaves, Thomas More Brennan Chair in Education
Boston College

"Addresses some of the most important challenges facing school leaders today. The authors bring a remarkable combination of deep, practical experience and academic sophistication to these challenges."
—Ken Leithwood, Professor
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

"This series of little volumes provides a valuable resource for new principals who would become accomplished instructional leaders and seasoned principals looking to strengthen their leadership capacity."
—Roland S. Barth, Founding Director
Harvard Principals' Center

"This series allows school principals to integrate theory and practice themselves, resulting in highly insightful and practical strategies that will make a difference in schools. Practitioners: lead thyselves!"
—Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Help students take the first steps toward long-term educational success!

Highlighting the importance of building children's early literacy skills, especially for those who might struggle in later grades, this volume in the Leading Student Achievement series presents an easy-to-understand overview of how three-, four-, and five-year-olds learn to read and shows school leaders how to:

  • Utilize knowledge about early literacy to provide more effective support for teachers of young children
  • Recognize the hallmarks of excellence in early literacy programs 
  • Work with teachers, school teams, and parents to create and improve early literacy programs
  • Develop a school culture that sustains excellence and continuous improvement in early literacy

Filled with real-life planning models, time-saving reproducibles, and other resources, The Principal as Early Literacy Leader gives school leaders the knowledge and vision to implement quality early literacy programs.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

Introduction

  • 1. What Every School Leader Needs to Know About How Young Children Learn Differently
  • Young Children Learn…Differently
  • Play: A Window Into Children's Learning
  • Young Children Learning Language Through Social Interaction and Intellectual Play
  • Language: The Early Framework for Later Thinking
  • The Intellectual Behavior of Young Children
  • Early Literacy: It's More Than Sounds and Letters
  • 2. What We Know Makes the Difference
  • Transforming the Culture: The Role of the School Leader
  • Assessing Program: One Size Does Not Fit All
  • Recognizing Teacher Perception: Think They Will or Think They Won't, You're Right!
  • Developing the Early Dispositions to Be Readers, Writers, and Critical Thinkers
  • Creating the Conditions for Literacy: Six Ts for Exemplary Teaching
  • Developing an Inclusive Literate Community: Providing One-on-one Support Through Multi-Age Buddies
  • Strategizing for a More Flexible Curriculum
  • Defining the Teacher's Role
  • Developing Literate-Rich Environments at School
  • Building Partnerships With Parents
  • Early Identification Processes
  • 3. Instructional Leadership: The Tools You Will Need
  • Developing a Vision: Changing Cultures
  • Guiding Principles
  • Defining Literacy: Three Key Expectations
  • Assessing Learning: What Counts as Evidence?
  • Management by Walking Around and What to Look For
  • Planning Models
  • Re-Conceptualizing Traditional Unit Plans
  • Timetables
  • Communication With Parents
  • 4. Continuous Improvement: The Next Steps
  • Creating Professional Learning Conversations
  • Setting SMART Goals
  • Evidence-Based Decision Making
  • Teacher's Professional Development

Conclusion

Conclusion

Glossary

Glossary

Tools for School Leaders

Tools for School Leaders

Must Reads

Must Reads

References

References

Index

Index

Description

"Getting down from the ivory tower and stepping out of the principal's office, these authors offer some of the most important and useful books about leadership that principals can buy."
—Andy Hargreaves, Thomas More Brennan Chair in Education
Boston College

"Addresses some of the most important challenges facing school leaders today. The authors bring a remarkable combination of deep, practical experience and academic sophistication to these challenges."
—Ken Leithwood, Professor
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

"This series of little volumes provides a valuable resource for new principals who would become accomplished instructional leaders and seasoned principals looking to strengthen their leadership capacity."
—Roland S. Barth, Founding Director
Harvard Principals' Center

"This series allows school principals to integrate theory and practice themselves, resulting in highly insightful and practical strategies that will make a difference in schools. Practitioners: lead thyselves!"
—Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Help students take the first steps toward long-term educational success!

Highlighting the importance of building children's early literacy skills, especially for those who might struggle in later grades, this volume in the Leading Student Achievement series presents an easy-to-understand overview of how three-, four-, and five-year-olds learn to read and shows school leaders how to:

  • Utilize knowledge about early literacy to provide more effective support for teachers of young children
  • Recognize the hallmarks of excellence in early literacy programs 
  • Work with teachers, school teams, and parents to create and improve early literacy programs
  • Develop a school culture that sustains excellence and continuous improvement in early literacy

Filled with real-life planning models, time-saving reproducibles, and other resources, The Principal as Early Literacy Leader gives school leaders the knowledge and vision to implement quality early literacy programs.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

Introduction

  • 1. What Every School Leader Needs to Know About How Young Children Learn Differently
  • Young Children Learn…Differently
  • Play: A Window Into Children's Learning
  • Young Children Learning Language Through Social Interaction and Intellectual Play
  • Language: The Early Framework for Later Thinking
  • The Intellectual Behavior of Young Children
  • Early Literacy: It's More Than Sounds and Letters
  • 2. What We Know Makes the Difference
  • Transforming the Culture: The Role of the School Leader
  • Assessing Program: One Size Does Not Fit All
  • Recognizing Teacher Perception: Think They Will or Think They Won't, You're Right!
  • Developing the Early Dispositions to Be Readers, Writers, and Critical Thinkers
  • Creating the Conditions for Literacy: Six Ts for Exemplary Teaching
  • Developing an Inclusive Literate Community: Providing One-on-one Support Through Multi-Age Buddies
  • Strategizing for a More Flexible Curriculum
  • Defining the Teacher's Role
  • Developing Literate-Rich Environments at School
  • Building Partnerships With Parents
  • Early Identification Processes
  • 3. Instructional Leadership: The Tools You Will Need
  • Developing a Vision: Changing Cultures
  • Guiding Principles
  • Defining Literacy: Three Key Expectations
  • Assessing Learning: What Counts as Evidence?
  • Management by Walking Around and What to Look For
  • Planning Models
  • Re-Conceptualizing Traditional Unit Plans
  • Timetables
  • Communication With Parents
  • 4. Continuous Improvement: The Next Steps
  • Creating Professional Learning Conversations
  • Setting SMART Goals
  • Evidence-Based Decision Making
  • Teacher's Professional Development

Conclusion

Conclusion

Glossary

Glossary

Tools for School Leaders

Tools for School Leaders

Must Reads

Must Reads

References

References

Index

Index

SAGE Publishing Logo

The Principal as Early Literacy Leader


December 2008 | 160 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781412963077 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781452293820 $35.00

"Getting down from the ivory tower and stepping out of the principal's office, these authors offer some of the most important and useful books about leadership that principals can buy."
—Andy Hargreaves, Thomas More Brennan Chair in Education
Boston College

"Addresses some of the most important challenges facing school leaders today. The authors bring a remarkable combination of deep, practical experience and academic sophistication to these challenges."
—Ken Leithwood, Professor
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

"This series of little volumes provides a valuable resource for new principals who would become accomplished instructional leaders and seasoned principals looking to strengthen their leadership capacity."
—Roland S. Barth, Founding Director
Harvard Principals' Center

"This series allows school principals to integrate theory and practice themselves, resulting in highly insightful and practical strategies that will make a difference in schools. Practitioners: lead thyselves!"
—Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Help students take the first steps toward long-term educational success!

Highlighting the importance of building children's early literacy skills, especially for those who might struggle in later grades, this volume in the Leading Student Achievement series presents an easy-to-understand overview of how three-, four-, and five-year-olds learn to read and shows school leaders how to:

  • Utilize knowledge about early literacy to provide more effective support for teachers of young children
  • Recognize the hallmarks of excellence in early literacy programs 
  • Work with teachers, school teams, and parents to create and improve early literacy programs
  • Develop a school culture that sustains excellence and continuous improvement in early literacy

Filled with real-life planning models, time-saving reproducibles, and other resources, The Principal as Early Literacy Leader gives school leaders the knowledge and vision to implement quality early literacy programs.


Table Of Contents:

  • Acknowledgments
  • Introduction
  • 1. What Every School Leader Needs to Know About How Young Children Learn Differently
  • Young Children Learn…Differently
  • Play: A Window Into Children's Learning
  • Young Children Learning Language Through Social Interaction and Intellectual Play
  • Language: The Early Framework for Later Thinking
  • The Intellectual Behavior of Young Children
  • Early Literacy: It's More Than Sounds and Letters
  • 2. What We Know Makes the Difference
  • Transforming the Culture: The Role of the School Leader
  • Assessing Program: One Size Does Not Fit All
  • Recognizing Teacher Perception: Think They Will or Think They Won't, You're Right!
  • Developing the Early Dispositions to Be Readers, Writers, and Critical Thinkers
  • Creating the Conditions for Literacy: Six Ts for Exemplary Teaching
  • Developing an Inclusive Literate Community: Providing One-on-one Support Through Multi-Age Buddies
  • Strategizing for a More Flexible Curriculum
  • Defining the Teacher's Role
  • Developing Literate-Rich Environments at School
  • Building Partnerships With Parents
  • Early Identification Processes
  • 3. Instructional Leadership: The Tools You Will Need
  • Developing a Vision: Changing Cultures
  • Guiding Principles
  • Defining Literacy: Three Key Expectations
  • Assessing Learning: What Counts as Evidence?
  • Management by Walking Around and What to Look For
  • Planning Models
  • Re-Conceptualizing Traditional Unit Plans
  • Timetables
  • Communication With Parents
  • 4. Continuous Improvement: The Next Steps
  • Creating Professional Learning Conversations
  • Setting SMART Goals
  • Evidence-Based Decision Making
  • Teacher's Professional Development
  • Conclusion
  • Glossary
  • Tools for School Leaders
  • Must Reads
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

“This series of publications addresses some of the most important improvement challenges facing school leaders today. The authors of the series bring a remarkable combination of deep, practical experience and academic sophistication to these challenges. The series should be required reading for all school leaders.”
Ken Leithwood, Professor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
“At last, a series of outstanding books by practicing administrators, for practicing principals. Avoiding high-flown theory on the one hand and mere lists of bullet points on the other, these books represent the best that highly expert leaders have to offer—intellectually informed ideas about how to deal with the compelling practical issues of principalship. Getting down from the ivory tower and stepping out of the principal’s office, these authors offer some of the most important and useful books about leadership that principals can buy.”
Andy Hargreaves, Thomas More Brennan Chair in Education, Boston College
“This series of little volumes offers a plethora of rich ideas ranging from practice and specific methods right down to easy-to-use worksheets. It provides a valuable resource for new principals who would become accomplished instructional leaders and also for seasoned principals looking to strengthen their leadership capacity.”
Roland S. Barth, Former Teacher and Principal, Founding Director, Harvard Principals’ Center
“This is a great series that allows school principals to integrate theory and practice themselves, resulting in highly insightful and practical strategies that will make a difference in schools. Practitioners: lead thyselves!”
Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Recommendations