Aligned with the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has developed a Comprehensive Literacy Plan and Curriculum Evaluation Tool to help districts evaluate literacy programs for alignment with state standards and best practices.
This tool highlights the Seven Components of Literacy—oracy, phonological awareness, word recognition, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing—and supports continuous improvement, equity, and diversity in instruction.
Discover how Collaborative Literacy aligns with each component and brings research-based instruction to life. Keep scrolling to explore sample lessons, upcoming observation days, and testimonials from Illinois leaders seeing real literacy growth in their schools.
Collaborative Literacy
Comprehensive Reading and Writing Instruction
Collaborative Literacy is a comprehensive K–5 curriculum comprised of two dynamic programs—Being a Reader and Being a Writer—that builds strong and knowledgeable readers and writers, creates vibrant and caring classroom communities, and empowers teachers to deepen their knowledge and expertise. While each program can be taught on its own, when used together, they form a deep connection between reading and writing.
The Reading League has published a Curriculum Navigation Report on Collaborative Literacy as an informational tool for curriculum decision makers. Visit The Reading League Compass to access the report.
Being a Reader
Grounded in scientific reading research, Being a Reader follows a continuum of reading development to meet each student at their instructional point of need and take them to their next level of literacy through whole-class, small-group, and individualized approaches.
Being a Writer
Being a Writer is a comprehensive, research-based writing curriculum that emphasizes the writing process, encourages student choice, and fosters a community of writers. Students develop skills in narrative, informative, and opinion writing while learning to collaborate, reflect, and revise.
Aligned with SIPPS (Tier II and Tier III Intervention) for a Multi-Tiered System of Support
Thanks to an aligned scope and sequence, common routines, and similar lesson structure, students can move between the two programs seamlessly.
SIPPS is:
- Highly supportive of educators, easy to implement, and well-suited to tutoring and expanded learning settings
- Aligned with the science of reading
- Proven effective with young readers (K–3), older readers (4–12), multilingual learners, and students identified with dyslexia
- Flexible, adaptable, differentiated, and MTSS-aligned for use across all tiers of instruction
Upcoming Events in Illinois
The Reading League Annual Conference (Sponsor)
Illinois Leaders Who Are Already Making an Impact with Collaborative Literacy
Being a Reader and Being a Writer have been instrumental in helping both new and veteran teachers rediscover their passion for teaching literacy, while also sustaining high levels of student achievement and growth.
Teachers have strengthened their instructional practices, and across classrooms there is consistent evidence of student engagement in high interest, grade-level texts, frequent opportunities for peer discussion, and production of high-quality writing. As a result, 90% of our third- and fourth-grade students are performing at or above proficiency on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, as defined by the Illinois State Board of Education.
Christine Trendel, Ed. D.
Director of Curriculum
River Forest D90
We have been a customer of Collaborative Classroom for four years, utilizing their programs, Being a Reader, Being a Writer, and SIPPS.
The programs has been instrumental in helping our Tier 2 and Tier 3 students make literacy gains as well as improve instructional practice amongst staff. We have seen tangible results, including an increase of 400% in expected growth in reading scores over the course of one year in one of our regions.
Tammie Lieb
Director of Primary Education
Concept Schools
Get in Touch to Discuss Pilot Opportunities, Implementation Planning, and More
Seasoned educators Kristy Rauch and Mimi Vatterot support our school, district, and community partners in Illinois. Send a message to begin the conversation.
