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FOR-PD's Literacy Newsletter

FOR-PD's Literacy newsletter deals specifically with literacy and learning for K-12 teachers of Florida's public schools. As you read and review our newsletter you will find information on local, state, and federal literacy news, upcoming conferences, celebrations, sources of funding, resources on the World Wide Web, and resources you can use with your students. The participant section answers pertinent questions participants have about the course and provides helpful tips for successful completion. We hope that this newsletter will provide educators with useful information to support their literacy development and the work they do with Florida students.

We welcome your feedback on how we can better support you and help you grow professionally. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.

Florida Online Reading Professional Development
12443 Research Parkway Suite 402
Orlando, FL 32826
866-227-7261
407-207-4965 (Fax)
forpd@mail.ucf.edu

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FOR-PD Announces Literacy Blog

This month FOR-PD will be launching the "FOR-PD Literacy Blog". This blog is provided to all those interested in literacy and literacy research. Throughout the semester the FOR-PD Reading Specialist will be posting thoughts, ideas, and follow-up for the lessons provided within the FOR-PD course. She will post reading news, new research, and literacy links that you may want to visit and share with others.

You can read the blog by visiting the blog site at http://forpd.ucf.edu/literacyblog/. In order to make comments to a posting you must become a registered user. To register, please visit http://forpd.ucf.edu/literacyblog/wp-login.php?action=register and type in a user name and email address. Once this has been completed, a password will be emailed to you. (You can also subscribe via your e-mail address via our literacy blog site.)

 

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Teen Read Week 2007

Teen Read Week is an adolescent literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association. This year it will be celebrated during the week of October 14-20, 2007.

 

Teen Read Week encourags teens to:

• Make time to read for the fun of it
• Use their local library to discover their interests
• Get reading materials and participate in events at their school or public library

Visit the "Celebrate Teen Read Week" page for resources and information.

FOR-PD is interested in hearing about how you, your school, or your district is planning to celebrate Teen Read Week. Email information to forpd@maiml.ucf.edu.

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Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools

The 39th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools has recently been published online at the Phi Delta Kappa International Website.

The poll produced many findings and Phi Delta Kappa has drawn some thoughtful conclusions. To view a one sheet flyer on the gallup poll results and conclusions of the poll please visit the Poll Highlights link.

 

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Florida Teens Book Nominees 2007-2008

The Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME) has a young adult reading award for students in grades 9-12, Florida Teens Read. The mission of the program is to encourage Florida teens to read enjoyable, quality literature that will stimulate imagination, awaken curiosity, expand horizons, enhance verbal fluency, and foster critical thinking and a lifelong love for reading and learning.

Florida Teens Read will nominate ten to fifteen books per year. The books nominated will be chosen to:

• Engage high school students
• Reflect interests of high school students
• Represent a variety of genres, formats, reading levels, viewpoints, and ethnic and cultural perspectives
• Include both books written for young people and those written for adults

The books may be fiction or nonfiction with a copyright within the last three years. Currently, high schools will not need to register to participate in voting for their favorite book. FAME is developing a blog for students to share perceptions of the books with their peers and to recommend titles of interest. For more information, including guidelines and resources to promote the program, go to FAME's Florida Teens Read web page.

 

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Celebrating our Diverse Hispanic Roots

From the Florida Department of Education: Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationwide and begins on September 15. In honor of this celebration, Gov. Charlie Crist is inviting all Florida students in kindergarten through 12th grades to take part in the Florida Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest. One winner will be selected from each of the three grade-level categories, elementary (grades K-5), middle (grades 6-8), and high school (grades 9-12). Winners will receive a full four-year tuition scholarship to a Florida college or university of their choice, provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, and a computer. Essays should answer the question: “In what way will you impact the future of the Hispanic community in Florida and why?”

The Governor is also encouraging students, parents, teachers and principals to nominate Hispanic, full-time educators in elementary, middle or high schools for the inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award. Three winners will be selected: one elementary school (K-5) teacher, one middle school (6-8) teacher, and one high school (9-12) teacher. Winners will receive a check for $1,500 and a $500 gift card for classroom supplies.

The contests are the first in a month-long schedule of events planned to commemorate Florida’s Hispanic heritage. For more information on both contests, visit the Governor's Web site.

Download Essay Contest form (Word)
Download Teacher Contest form (Word)

 

This month's Reading Strategy of the Month focuses on using text features. The beginning of the school year provides a great opportunity for students to get to know their textbooks. Our reading strategy will give you ideas on what students should learn about their texts, along with activities to support them in getting the most from common features of textbooks.

Try this strategy in your classroom and then email us and tell us how it worked (forpd@mail.ucf.edu). Also, don't forget to share the strategy with your colleagues.

Other FOR-PD strategies that you may want to look at regarding assisting students with understanding and reading text include:

FOR-PD's November 2005 Reading Strategy of the Month: Text Structure
FOR-PD's October 2004 Reading Strategy of the Month: Making Connections
FOR-PD's June 2006 Reading Strategy of the Month: SQ4R – Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review, Reflect
FOR-PD's January 2006 Reading Strategy of the Month: Directed Reading, Thinking Activity

Each month we feature an effective reading strategy, explain the rationale behind the strategy, give directions on how to use the strategy with students, present ideas for adapting the strategy to different content areas, present ideas for assessing the strategy, and of course provide a printable PDF version of the strategy. Check out our Reading Strategy Archive to see past Reading Strategies of the Month.

 

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Books for Students

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Professional Book Recommendations

"Where Do I Go from Here?"
Meeting the Unique Educational Needs of Migrant Students
by Karen S. Vocke

Book Description: Migrant farm laborers are often called America’s "invisible people"--a term that, tragically, is just as applicable to their children. Because their lives are transitory and their English skills often limited, our opportunities to have a lasting impact on their literacy education are far too brief. But that makes these children no less deserving of our full commitment. In "Where Do I Go from Here?" Karen Vocke describes how to make the most of each day, creating an educational experience that will serve all children long after they leave our classrooms.

Always mindful of state standards and assessment requirements, Vocke demonstrates how to modify the curriculum and adapt strategies to facilitate English language acquisition and content-area knowledge. She provides vital information on:

• the history, culture, and families of migrant students so that we better understand--and respect--the foundation on which their lives are built
• essential language considerations, with an emphasis on what we can do now to help struggling English learners become more proficient
• culturally responsive materials and lessons, with guidelines on how to evaluate books, along with a complete lesson plan for promoting cultural sensitivity
• the need for an inclusive community of readers and writers, based on the principles of cooperative learning and supported by a lesson plan on student heritage and tradition as well as other activities that create a culture of sharing
• ways to foster both literacy and cultural understanding through technology, especially the many benefits of digital storytelling, with easy-to-follow guidelines
• the importance of involving migrant families and communities, with suggestions on overcoming language and cultural barriers as well as specific steps you and your school can take.

All this is supported by a wealth of helpful materials, including additional resources for working with migrant families, organizations you can contact for more information, recommended children’s literature and wordless picture books, and letters and announcements to parents in both English and Spanish.

Use the ideas in "Where Do I Go from Here?" to create a welcoming learning environment that values inclusion and diversity. Give every student the same chance for a literate life. In the process, you’ll soon see the future of America’s “invisible” students in a bright, new light.

Hands-On Literacy Coaching
by Nancy Boyles

From the Publisher: Dr. Nancy Boyles integrates literacy instruction and coaching in a step-by-step guide for all literacy coaches. Using the explicit instruction model--and complete with ready-to-use strategies, charts, checklists, protocols, and teaching scenarios--this book guides coaches to learn:

The content of literacy coaching

• Setting the stage for literacy learning, building literacy knowledge, and reinforcing literacy knowledge
• Creating and managing a literacy-rich classroom environment
• Identifying when literacy instruction goes off track

The "how-to" of literacy coaching

• Adapting techniques to fit teachers' personalities
• Intervening with strategies to address common problems
• Applying coaching principles
• Analyzing literacy instruction through teaching scenarios

Dr. Boyles' systematic approach, study guide questions, and coaching scaffolds make Hands-On Literacy Coaching a powerful tool for professional development. An additional interactive component allows coaches to read more about the scenarios and to contribute their own insights online.

 

Becoming a Great Teacher of Reading
Achieving High Rapid Reading Gains With Powerful, Differentiated Strategies
by Marie Carbo

From the Publisher: Use this "failure-free" approach to improve test scores and help all students enjoy reading!

Are you looking for strategies that make learning to read easier and more fun for your students while bringing about significant increases in their performance results? Literacy expert Marie Carbo pairs identifying each learner's unique reading style with a wide range of differentiated strategies to help all learners experience greater reading success.

Using these research-based methods, both novice and experienced teachers can increase reading achievement with all learners, including those who are at-risk, older, or have special needs, as well as English Language Learners. The author offers practical assistance for implementing strategies that meet the requirements of NCLB, Title I, Reading First, and many state initiatives.

A powerful tool for nurturing a love of reading, Becoming a Great Teacher of Reading not only strengthens students' reading comprehension and increases their reading motivation and enjoyment, but also helps ensure their continuing academic success.

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August/September Text Set

As described in the February 2006 FOR-PD Reading Strategy of the Month, text sets can be considered a collection of books related to a common element, topic, theme, or type of text. They provide readers with a medley of text and other materials, including non-fiction, websites, photos, pictures, primary source documents, and fiction, that will support the growing need for students to obtain quality information from a variety of sources.

This month Nancy Case and Jean Salamon will be sharing with us some wonderful books focusing on the Bill of Rights. Below is a sampling of texts to use in the elementary-high school classroom. Remember, before making any book or resource available be sure to check out if it is appropriate for your students.

FOR-PD is looking for ideas for future text sets. If you have an idea, please feel free to email us at forpd@mail.ucf.edu.

"Bill of Rights " Text Set

Books and Resources for Elementary Students The Bill of Rights by John Hamilton. Examines the United States Bill of Rights, how they were formed and the rights they protect. The Bill of Rights by Normal Pearl.  Describes the history and purpose of the Bill of Rights, discussing each of the amendments it contains, and includes a glossary. The Bill of Rights by Patricia Ryon Quiri.  Chronicles how the Bill of Rights came to be, as well as the freedoms it guarantees, details each of the amendments, and demonstrates how some have affected contemporary life in the United States. Freedom of Speech by Cristin Ditchfield. Describes what freedom of speech is, how and why it is guaranteed in the United States, how it is expressed, what its limits are, what censorship is, and what some of the surrounding debates were about on the topic. The U.S. Constitution by Kathy Allen.  Simple text and photographs introduce the U.S. Constitution, its history, and significance. The U.S. Constitution by Normal Pearl.  Presents a brief profile of the U.S. Constitution, who wrote it, and the circumstances for which it was written. A More Perfect Union, the Story of our Constitution by Betsy Maestro.  Describes how the Constitution was drafted and ratified. Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution by Jean Fritz.  Describes how the Constitution came to be written and ratified. Also includes the full text of the document produced by the Constitutional Convention of 1787.  The U.S. Constitution by Joan Banks. Examines the origins of the U. S. Constitution, looking at the ideals and debates that shaped the document which formed the foundation of democracy in the United States. The U.S. Constitution by Jean Kinney Williams. Historical photographs and engravings teach young readers about the history and origins of the United States Constitution. If You Were There When They Signed the Constitution by Elizabeth Levy. Explains the developments leading up to the writing of the Constitution, what the Constitution is, and what happened during the Constitutional Convention.

Books and Resources for Middle/High School Students The Bill of Rights by Karen Price Hossell.  Provides a history of the Bill of Rights, explains each of the amendments and the freedoms it protects, and describes how historical documents such as this can be restored and preserved. AR,  middle grades The Bill of Rights by Conrad Stein.  Examines the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States, and discusses the rights which they are intended to protect. The Bill of Rights by Michael Teitelbaum.  Presents an introduction to the Bill of Rights, explaining how it came to be added to the Constitution, discussing the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, and looking at a selection of famous cases that tested those freedoms. The Bill of Rights by Michael Burgan.  Text and illustrations present the Bill of Rights and survey its creation, describing the impetus for it and the fight for its ratification, and providing a glossary, lists of important dates and people, and selected further resources. The Bill of Rights by Karen Donnelly. Introduces the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, commonly known as the Bill of Rights. Bill of Rights by Sheila Rivera.  Explores the rights guaranteed by the first ten amendments to the Constitution, why that Bill of Rights was considered necessary, and how it formed the basis of similar documents in the United States and abroad. The Bill of Rights by David and Patricia Armantrout. Presents the history of the Bill of Rights and examines the events that led to their formation including the Articles of Confederation and Constitution as well as a detailed explanation of those rights and other important amendments to the Constitution. The Bill of Rights and Other Amendments by Geoffrey Horn.  Describes several major amendments to the Constitution, the amendment process, and the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights by Discovery Enterprises.  Presents selected excerpts from a range of primary source documents that provide insight into the process by which the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were developed.  Declaring Freedom, a look at the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution by Gwenyth Swain.  Explores the origin, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. In Defense of Liberty, the story of America’s Bill of Rights by Russell Freedman.  Describes the origins, applications of, and challenges to the ten amendments to the United States Constitution that comprise the Bill of Rights. Ninth and Tenth Amendments, the right to more rights (the Bill of Rights) by Rich Smith.  Covers the ninth and tenth amendments only. Second and Third Amendments, the right to security (The Bill of Rights) by Rich Smith.  Covers the second and third amendments only. Seventh Amendment, the right to trial by jury (the Bill of Rights) by Rich Smith.  Covers our rights to a jury trial by our peers. Sixth Amendment, the right to a fair trial (The Bill of Rights) by Rich Smith. Covers the right to be given a fair trial. Freedom of Speech by Phillip Steele.  Presents an introduction to the right to freedom of speech, in simple text with illustrations, including a discussion of such issues as censorship, propaganda, and freedom of the press. Freedom of Speech and the Press by Ian Friedman.  Presents a concise study of the First Amendment freedoms of speech and the press, and explores several issues in history including Frederick Douglass's speeches on emancipation, commentaries on "McCarthyism," Watergate, the Pentagon Papers, and much more. Freedom of Assembly by Stephen Rohde.  Explores the history of the First Amendment Freedom of Assembly and the many issues concerning this topic including the creation of labor unions, women's suffrage movement, anti-war protests, and much more. The Bill of Rights by Greenhaven Press.  Primary and secondary source articles provide information on the Bill of Rights and the various controversies that have surrounded it through the years. The Bill of Rights a Bicentennial Assessment by Brigham Young University.  A companion volume to a three-volume series commemorating the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution; presents ten essays on what Americans' rights are, the future of these rights, and specific topics such as abortion, religion, feminism, and minorities. The Bill of Rights, a History in Documents by John Patrick.  Chronicles the history and illustrates the significance of the Bill of Rights, presenting excerpts from key cases, speeches, related letters, political cartoons, and other documents. The First Amendment by Leah Farish. Discusses the definition and history of the First Amendment and considers present day problems regarding the rights it guarantees. Constitutional Debates on Freedom of Religion by Greenwood Press.  A collection of more than seventy documents that address the meaning and correct applications of First Amendment clauses on religious establishment and the free exercise of religion. Freedom of Speech, Press, and Assembly by Darien McWhirter.  Discusses free speech in the United States and examines important Supreme Court decisions dealing with the rights of free speech, free press, and peaceable assembly.  Private Property Rights by Paul Ruschmann.  Examines private property rights in America in accordance with the interpretation of the Fifth Amendment; and includes essays that debate the government's right to seize private property for public use.

Websites Bill of Rights Golf - http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/golf.htm This Web site provides visitors with a fun way to test their knowledge about the Bill of Rights. Come and play a game of online golf in which each section (hole) has particular number of questions (par). See if you can make par, avoid a bogey, and brush up on your Bill of Rights knowledge. Bill of Rights Institute - http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/ This site was organized to educate young people about the words and ideas of America's founders, the liberties guaranteed in our founding documents, and how our founding principles affect and shape a free society. The site contains eLessons, online forums, classroom materials, and more! America’s Historical Documents - http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/  Contains photographs of historical documents, including the Bill of Rights. Duties and Responsibilities of Citizens - http://bensguide.gpo.gov/9-12/citizenship/responsibilities.html Covers Citizenship-- Becoming a U.S. citizen-- Rights of citizens: The Bill of Rights-- Duties and responsibilities of all Americans-- Community responsibilities. Publications, introduction to human rights - http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/hrintro/hrintro.htm Find out exactly what human rights are and learn about the U.S. policy on individual rights as stated in the Declaration of Independence.

Nancy Case is married with two children and two grandchildren. She is currently the Media Supervisor for Alachua County Schools and a professional storyteller. She has previously worked as a middle school media specialist for many years in both Pasco and Alachua counties. She is proud of her role in story telling and was a former president of the Florida Storytelling Association. She has facilitated sixteen FOR-PD classes to date and loves to read, travel and create stories for telling.

Jean Salamon has been in the education field for 32 years. She has had experience as a Kindergarten teacher, second grade teacher, third grade teacher and as a Parent Involvement/Learning Resource Specialist for the Title 1 program. She has been the Educational Library Media Specialist for the past 7 years at Astatula Elementary School for the Arts in Lake County, Florida and is Nationally Board Certified in Library Media PreK-Young Adult. She has been facilitating FOR-PD since Jan. 2003. She also teaches Early Literacy classes for UCF at the South Lake Campus in Clermont. She lives with her husband (also a teacher) in Tavares, FL. She has two daughters and two granddaughters. In her spare time she likes to spend time with her family, read, walk and go out to eat.

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Feeling frustrated? Can't figure it out? Don't forget the FOR-PD Help Desk is available. Help Desk hours are:

Monday through Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM EST and 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM EST
Saturday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM EST

The phone number is 1-866-863-READ (7323) toll free, Florida calls only. For non-Florida calls only 407-249-4702. Technical support is also available through AOL Instant Messenger, screen name "forpdhelp".

If you need technical support beyond that which your facilitator or school technology coordinator can offer, please contact the FOR-PD Technical Support Help Desk. Please fill out the Tech Help Form or call the Help Desk. Describe your problem as completely as possible and leave your name and return phone number, and someone will get back to you.

Chat Live with the Help Desk using the Chatango feature on our website. http://www.forpd.ucf.edu/about/technicalsupport.html.

Don't forget to check out the Tutorials and Troubleshooting Guide. Both of these resources provide a wealth of information on the tools used in the course and specific technology problems past participants have had along with solutions to these problems.

FOR-PD Fall Course	September 24-December 17, 2007
State Parks Celebrate Literacy in September FREE educational programs, admission for school groups, admission for reading and book clubs, access to natural cultural and historical resources in state parks.	September 2007
The Tampa Bay Area Writing Project Fall Conference "A Work in Progress" Tampa, FL University of South Florida	September 22, 2007
Banned Books Week Free People Read Freely ®	September 29-October 6, 2007
World Teacher's Day	October 5, 2007
Fall 2007 National Writing Project @ UCF Conference Teachers Teaching Teachers- Best Practices in Writing Instruction University of Central Florida	October 6, 2007
Florida Council of Teachers of Mathematics 2007 Annual Conference Orlando Airport Marriott Mathematics: "Math Rocks"	October 11-13, 2007
Teen Read Week "LOL@Your Library "	October 14-20, 2007
The Florida Council of Teachers of English Hilton Orlando/Altamonte Springs	October 18-20, 2007
Florida Association of Science Teachers Double Tree Hotel - Orlando, Florida	October 25-27, 2007
13th Annual Sloan-C International Conference on Online Learning Caribe Royale, Orlando, FL	November 7-9, 2007
American Education Week 2007 Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility	November 11–17, 2007
Children's Book Week Rise Up Reading	November 12-18, 2007
The National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention New York, New York	November 15-18, 2007
I Love To Write Day!	November 15, 2007

 

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