A Project-Based Aligned Literacy Curriculum with Tanya Sheckley and Brittany Botta Transformative Principal 625

Welcome to our National Literacy Month series of podcasts, presented in partnership between the Be Podcast Network and Reading Is Fundamental (RIF).

In this interview, Tanya Sheckley and Brittany Botta from Up Academy discussed their Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum. They explained that project-based learning often didn't align well with literacy, so they developed this curriculum that focuses on a particular aspect of writing in

each module. They have seen positive results, with students not showing resistance to reading and writing. The curriculum divides the literacy block into community, agency, SELf-check, empowerment, and wrap-up. They emphasized the importance of creating time

for learning what really matters and providing space and time for students to read to increase literacy in schools.

• Up Academy - love of learning, inclusive educational space. 
• Project based learning didn’t always align well to literacy. 
• Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum
• Each module is focused on a particular aspect of writing. 
• Don’t see the resistance to reading and writing with this curriculum. 
• Not teaching the same stuff all the time, but getting to the same goals. 
• Literacy block divided into community, agency, SELf-check, empowerment, wrap-up
• Restaurant project - partnered with a local restaurant
• School Shirt opinion - leading to opinion writing. 
• Science of reading incorporation. 
• How to increase literacy in your school: Create time for learning what really matters. Space and time for students to read. 
• Increase reading time, talk to students about the books they’re reading. 

About Tanya Sheckley and Brittany Botta

Tanya Sheckley is Founder and President of UP Academy, an elementary lab school which values innovation, empathy and strength. Tanya’s vision and mission show it’s possible to celebrate differences, challenge what’s broken in the American education system, and that all children can receive a rigorous, well rounded education.  She is an Edupreneur,  Author of Rebel Educator: Create Classrooms Where Imagination and Impact Meet and host of the Rebel Educator podcast.  She speaks frequently on the future of education and entrepreneurship. She is a rebel educator who works with new and existing schools and small school leaders to question the status quo and develop innovative student experiences through inclusion and project based learning.

Brittany Botta Director of Teaching and Learning at Up Academy and the author of the Rebel Project Literacy Curriculum.

Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. 

These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation.

We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.