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The key to academic success is proficiency in literacy. Reading and writing for different purposes is an important part of the elementary curriculum. Last year, elementary teachers began a multi-year professional development partnership with the Center for Applied Child Development at Tufts University. The Tufts model provides demonstration lessons from exceptional consultants, coaching opportunities for teachers to fine-tune their practice and a guided observation visit to a neighboring school adept at the delivery of literacy instruction.

During a recent visit in April, teachers observed and collaborated with colleagues in a similar role from another district. Each classroom visited had a variety of anchor charts posted on the classroom walls. As teachers introduced new concepts and skills, the teacher's and students' thoughts were written out as an anchor chart in order to make learning transparent. Anchor charts make thinking visible. As students engage in reading or writing, they may refer back to the anchor chart.

The following pictures were taken of "anchor charts."

This vocabulary anchor chart provides synonyms for children who overuse the word "said"

This vocabulary anchor chart provides synonyms for children who overuse the word "said"

The word "move" can be said a number of ways

This anchor chart lists ideas for the writer to consider when composing a story

Understanding what the character wants and what problem stands in the way helps the writer get to the heart of the story