Literacy Matters: News You Can Use
April 2008
As the spring 2008 FOR-PD course is coming to a close, the FOR-PD project would like to take time to congratulate our soon to be graduates. We would also like to welcome those who will begin the course for summer on May 12. We are here to help and assist you. Please feel free to contact us with questions and feedback about FOR-PD.
Sincerely,
The FOR-PD Staff
April is School Library Media Month
From FAME Website: Governor Charlie Crist extends his sincere wishes for the observance of School Library Media Month, April 2008. Each year our school districts and Florida citizens celebrate this month to showcase the programs, services, and resources provided by school library media centers. This celebratory month provides opportunities across the state to highlight school library media contributions for improving the quality of education.
Findings from research studies conducted in nineteen states, including the Florida statewide library media study entitled, Making the Grade: The Status of School Library Media Centers in the Sunshine State and How They Contribute to Student Achievement, report that school library media programs make a measurable difference in assisting students function successfully in school, preparing them for lifelong learning and enhancing their reading enjoyment. Additionally, it is appropriate that this month, which recognizes school library media services in Florida, also coincides with National Library Week that highlights the impact of all types of libraries on the nation’s citizens. Click here to read the proclamation.
Summer Fun and Learning Beyond the Classroom
Learning Beyond the Classroom, the ReadWriteThink.org site designed to help children and teens build their literacy learning outside of school, is growing! The site now offers even more activities for children ages 4 to 18 and includes booklists, reading logs, book review podcasts, and best practice videos to help caregivers and tutors make the most of summer reading and writing opportunities.
To see all of these features and more, please visit www.readwritethink.org/beyondtheclassroom/summer. Spread the word about this great resource!!!
Remove Limits to Learning with Systematic Vocabulary Instruction
Authored by Bj Stone and Vicki Urquhart from McREL, this booklet sets the stage for creating and implementing a systematic approach to vocabulary instruction and describes the positive outcomes you can expect when vocabulary becomes an essential part of classroom instruction. The booklet contains three sections:
- Overview of research on vocabulary development
- Four research-based principles to guide any vocabulary program
- Strategies for translating the research into classroom practice
You can download this booklet in PDF format for free from the McREL site.
Technology Thread Added to the FOR-PD Course
FOR-PD is adding a new thread to the FOR-PD course beginning summer 2008. The “Technology and Literacy” addition to the FOR-PD course explores how teachers can utilize technology to support reading instruction and students’ reading development in grades PreK-12.
When teachers visit the “Technology & Literacy” icon (shown above by the heading), they will be provided with a variety of options (e.g., a quality video clip, or a relevant website, an audio clip, or a webquest, or an interactive activity) that demonstrate how to integrate literacy and technology. This new resource offers a relevant, research-based alignment with each FOR-PD lesson objectives and content.
We believe that teachers will be motivated, and will become better equipped, to use technology in their classrooms to support literacy in new and innovative ways.
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About the 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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Last Updated:
April 10, 2008