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FOR-PD Lesson Descriptions and Sample Lessons
Lesson 1: Introduction to the FOR-PD Course
What's all the buzz about FOR-PD? Lesson 1 will provide you with an introduction to the FOR-PD course. You'll learn more about the FOR-PD project and why it is important to Florida. You will also have the opportunity to become more comfortable with the technology tools used throughout the course by viewing tutorials and using the tools. Finally, you will "meet" your classmates and your facilitator in the course discussion area.
Lesson 2: Reading and Learning to Read
Some people think that "learning to read" happens only in primary grade classrooms. Learning to read is a continuous process and all educators should be informed about it. This lesson is designed to provide you with a review of key research and theory on effective beginning reading instruction and the factors that effect students' reading development. In the classroom application section, you'll find practical applications and information, including links to websites that will help you foster community and family involvement in your classroom.
Lesson 3: Exemplary Reading Instruction
What does truly exemplary reading instruction look like? This lesson answers that question by providing you with a review of the research into exemplary reading instruction and helping you translate research-based principles into sound classroom practice. You will also learn more about key state and national reading initiatives and how they impact your life as an educator. In the classroom applications section, you will find resources that will help you organize a balanced literacy program.
Lesson 4: Language and Print-Rich Environments
Lesson 4 will guide you in developing a print-rich environment likely to encourage and motivate your students to read and to love reading. You'll read descriptions, look at examples, visit websites, and see resources that will show you how to make your classroom literacy-rich. You will also explore the characteristics of the different stages of reading development.
Lesson 5: Phonemic Awareness and Phonics
In Lesson 5, you'll learn about research-based strategies that will engage your students in phonics and phonemic awareness to help them develop the skills necessary to effectively decode text. You'll also become familiar with the goals Florida Governor Jeb Bush and President George W. Bush have set for the state and the nation. In this lesson, the authors present a detailed case for the importance of phonemic awareness in reading development.
Lesson 6: Bringing Students and Text Together
Lesson 6 is designed to help teachers get students engaged in and excited about reading. Students need to be motivated to read and the best way to do that is to make reading enjoyable. You will be provided with numerous strategies to help you get students to make connections with the text by activating their prior knowledge. You'll also visit websites that demonstrate how to implement these strategies in your classroom. Finally, you will learn how to help your students choose the right books for their reading level and interests.
Lesson 7: Strengthening Vocabulary Development
Sample Lesson [PDF: 30 pages / 684k]
(Please note this is outside the course delivery environment
and some of the links and features may not work. It is offered here to
give you an idea of the instructional style and content.)
Are you tired of relying on word lists to teach vocabulary to your students? Lesson 7 offers exciting alternatives to the old word list approach. In this lesson, you'll find information about teaching vocabulary, teaching students how to learn new words, using word play in your classroom, and assessing students' vocabulary development. You will also find an assortment of resources to help you expand your students' vocabulary, including graphic organizers and other proven word learning strategies.
Lesson 8: Fluency and Comprehension Instruction
In the 21st century, citizens are expected to comprehend and use information from a variety of complex sources. Have you ever worried that your students may not be developing the comprehension skills they need? Lesson 8 will provide you with many practical strategies that promote comprehension and fluency. You will also learn about the factors that influence the development of comprehension and effective ways to assess and monitor student comprehension.
Lesson 9: Integrating Reading and Writing across the Curriculum
Studies have shown that teaching reading and writing together leads to improved student achievement in both areas. In this lesson, you will explore the relationship between the reading and writing processes and find exciting ways to integrate reading and writing across the curriculum. Additionally, you will uncover many practical suggestions for implementing integrated reading and writing activities in your classroom. Finally, you will discover a wealth of information about assessing literacy in content area classrooms and using authentic assessment.;
Lesson 10: Teaching for Understanding in Content Areas
Reading is an integral part of all content areas--whether you teach science, math, social studies or any other subject. Lesson 10 is designed to offer an overview of content area reading and to identify key factors in developing successful readers in content area subjects. You will also discover resources and strategies to increase student achievement by activating prior knowledge and improving thinking skills. Finally, the classroom applications section contains many useful, content-specific links.
Lesson 11: Literacy Instruction and Non-native Speakers of English
The number of limited English proficient students entering the public school system in Florida is increasing every year. Consequently, all educators will need to develop strategies to teach and reach ESOL students. This lesson will help you do just that! We will address the challenges brought to the classroom by ESOL learners and will discuss both general and specific guidelines for teaching students of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Of course, you will also find many specific classroom strategies and resources to help you enhance the literacy learning of your ESOL students.
Lesson 12: Instruction for Striving Readers
We believe all students can learn to be successful readers! Research suggests that, though struggling readers are lacking knowledge and practice, they can be taught to be successful when reading. The ideas and activities presented in this lesson are designed to familiarize you with strategies that support literacy learning for readers who struggle when reading. In this lesson, you will learn many strategies to enhance the decoding ability, vocabulary and comprehension of your struggling readers. You will also see specific applications for assisting struggling readers in content area classrooms.
Lesson 13: Assessment
Ongoing assessment serves a variety of important purposes and is critical to any reading program. In this lesson you will gain knowledge of how to assess students' reading development and how to use assessment data to plan for instruction. You'll also find links to resources for reading assessment, authentic assessment, test preparation, the FCAT and DIBELS.
Lesson 14: Becoming an Effective Literacy Leader
In this lesson we will discuss research-supported strategies for implementing effective school-wide literacy improvement programs. You may choose to explore this topic from either the perspective of an administrator or a teacher. Both paths contain valuable information about how to prioritize literacy and support school-wide achievement gains at your school. Reflection, action research, and effective professional development can help you bring about change in your classroom and school.
