Opening Doors to Equity

Tonya Ward Singer is the founder of Courageous Literacy LLC, an organization that helps K-12 educators advance literacy and language learning in culturally and linguistically rich schools. Teachers and administrators describe Tonya’s work as groundbreaking, dynamic, practical, relevant, and impactful.Tonya is the author of bestsellers Asset-Based Language and Literacy (2nd Edition of EL Excellence Every Day), EL Excellence Every Day, and Opening Doors to Equity. She co-authored Breaking Down the Wall and literacy curricula for international publishers. Tonya has taught across multiple grade levels and excels as an international consultant helping schools build collective efficacy of all teachers through job-embedded, impactful professional learning.Beyond her work in schools, Tonya is a citizen historian and co-facilitator of dialogues on trauma-informed healing and racial justice. Contact Tonya at: www.tonyasinger.com.

• ForewordPrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorChapter 1 A Call to ActionReaching Every Child in 21st-Century SchoolsA Rationale for Observing TogetherProfessional Learning for EquityBeyond the ElephantChapter 2 Observation InquiryObservation Inquiry OverviewCollaborative Inquiry in Classrooms TogetherMultiple Cycles to Plan-Teach-Observe-Reflect-PlanProtocols to Foster Deep CollaborationGetting StartedChapter 3 Opening Doors: Building Buy-In and TrustInspire ActionHonor FearsEstablish SafetyFoster a Growth MindsetAddress Individual NeedsChapter 4 Asking Questions That MatterIdentifying a Problem to SolveAligning With Local InitiativesWriting a Problem of PracticeAsking Questions to Drive InquiryFacilitation Challenges and SolutionsChapter 5 Planning for InquiryGoals for Student LearningAssessment and Success CriteriaPlanning InstructionFacilitation Tips for Efficient, Effective Team PlanningChapter 6 Observing TogetherFocusing the Observation: The Prelesson MeetingTaking Notes in a LessonFormative Evidence ExamplesUsing VideoChapter 7 Describing and Analyzing What We ObservedStep 1: Describe Without JudgmentStep 2: Organize DataStep 3: Make GeneralizationsTeach and Practice the ProtocolChapter 8 From Observation to ActionStep 4: Link Cause and EffectStep 5: Apply Learning to PlanStep 6: Set Individual and Team GoalsChapter 9 Deepening Learning Across Multiple LessonsBuilding From Lesson to LessonKindergarten: Advancing Collaborative Conversations About TextsSecond Grade: Deepening Insights About LanguageMiddle School: Elevating Thinking Across the Content AreasStrategies for Facilitating Deep LearningChapter 10 Evaluating and Expanding Our ImpactWhat Have Students Learned?What Have Teachers Learned?How Do We Expand Learning Beyond the Team?How Do We Sustain Continuous Learning?AppendicesAppendix A Launching Observation InquiryAppendix B Easy Protocol ReferenceReferencesIndex

"This exceptionally valuable book provides a clear process I can use to engage with my colleagues around learning.  I appreciated the ideas and practical information that will ensure that my professional learning group focuses on student learning as evidenced in real lessons. The tools that Tonya Singer provides are useful and relevant, not to mention tried and true. To ramp up professional learning, this is the tool that will start your engine."