Great Books. Great Ideas. Great Analysis.

BlueByrd is uniquely qualified to develop and implement knowledge-rich English language arts and history curricula. Ms. Byrd Carmichael has led the development and implementation of dozens of state, local, international, and independent sets of English language arts (ELA) and history standards, as well as standards-based and knowledge-rich curricula. She has also assisted schools and school systems with the selection and implementation of knowledge-rich curriculum, as well as with teacher training.

At BlueByrd, we prioritize the building of knowledge through the reading and analysis of great texts, both literary and literary non-fiction, print and visual.  We believe that students must immerse themselves in texts that, as Faulkner asserted, address “the old verities and truths of the heart, the old universal truths lacking which any story is ephemeral and doomed.” We know that when students grapple with beautifully crafted texts about these transcendent ideas—such as goodness, truth, beauty, honor, or liberty—through disciplined writing and civil discourse, they can become confident, knowledgeable, citizens.

As Ms. Byrd Carmichael has discussed for over two decades, wrestling with great texts and great ideas must eclipse the practice of content-less skills, an approach that has failed to boost student achievement and left our students empty-hearted and ignorant of history.

BlueByrd can help you change the lives of your students by:

• Selecting or developing content-rich ELA and history curricula and texts.

• Training teachers to use content-rich ELA and history curricula and texts.

• Communicating with key stakeholders when adopting and implementing knowledge-rich curricula and assessments (See Communication.)

BlueByrd brings thirty years of practical and political experience to any communications challenge you may face.

Ms. Byrd Carmichael’s deep knowledge of the structure and history of the English language and her confident facility with its use makes BlueByrd uniquely suited to help you communicate effectively by:

• enhancing your own and others’ understanding of important policy considerations and decisions—and determining the best platforms and vehicles for conveying them;

• strengthening your employees’ or your own or agility with language by facilitating individual or group “language” training; and

• crafting or editing powerful speeches, reports, op-eds, or other media to help elucidate your thinking.

Power of Language

Ms. Byrd Carmichael has authored or co-authored numerous education policy reports (See “Projects and Publications”). She will continue to provide commentary on education, especially about the power of deep instruction in the structure and history of the English language and the efficacy of a knowledge-rich, liberal arts curriculum grounded in the trivium: grammar, logic, and rhetoric.

Future commentary will discuss related important topics, such as civics education, civil discourse, and ethics education, but will also allow opportunities to explore topics that have always been of special interest to Ms. Byrd Carmichael, such as language itself, art, music, history, religion, philosophy, travel, and nature.

Please subscribe to The BlueByrd Blog here to receive new essays. The blog will often highlight the stories of “bluebirds” who are accomplishing great things both within and beyond school classrooms.