ExCELL

ExCELL: A Promising Family, School, and Community-focused Model for Early Literacy Success
Cynthia Hutchinson and Christopher Chin, Literacy Institute at Virgina Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. 1pm - 2pm

ExCELL = Excellence in Childen's Early Language and Literacy. This program started in 2008 with one school site. Every year they increased the number of school sites. In 2011 they increased to 17 sites. Emphasis on family involvement with child's learning at home with oral language and shared reading.

Key Components -
School and teachers: classroom based instructional materials and children's libraries; professional development; provide enhanced manipulatives/educational toys in the classrooms
Home and Family - families will be engaged and involved in children's learning at home and in school; family literacy events (Preschool teachers attend these events); Raising a Reader program - backpacks (reminded me of our Storypacks on steroids) emphasizing skills developement - alphabet knowledge, writing skills, etc - includes flash cards, laminated fingerplays, stuffed animal and parent survey asking questions about reading behaviors
Community and Resources - partner with library; librarians attend professional development sessions with school staff; connect families to local resources; aligning with community organizations

Good advice = successful program