Strand 1
Changing Assumptions About Reading Instruction in the Secondary Classroom
OVERVIEW of STRAND
This four week workshop will explore the following question: Why do we need to change our approach to reading in the secondary content area classroom? The course will address this issue by means of readings, discussion, and the teacher’s observation, inventory, and reflection of reading instruction and achievement in his/her own classroom. The course will culminate in creation of an action plan for addressing this issue.
You will be expected to:
- Create a personal, electronic folder for course materials.
- Complete weekly assignments in a timely fashion.
- Participate in the discusssion board.
- Read chapters in the primary text Subjects Matter: Every Teacher’s Guide to Content-Area Reading
Chapters to read from Subjects Matter: Every Teacher’s Guide to Content-Area Reading
Chapter 1— “Reading for Real”
Chapter 12—“Recommendations from Reading Research”
Chapter 2— “How Smart Readers Think”
Chapter 3— “Why Textbooks Are Not Enough”
Additional Reading:
“Achieving Reading Proficiency for All” by Willard R. Daggett, Ed.D. International Center for Leadership in Education, white paper, 2003
Adolescent Literacy - Summary of recommendations on adolescent reading from International Reading Association. Note: you can click on the full text in through this link.
NCTE Guideline, “On Reading, Learning to Read, and Effective Reading Instruction: An Overview of What We Know and How We Know It”
NCTE Guideline, “A Call to Action: What We Know About Adolescent Literacy and Ways to Support Teachers in Meeting Students’ Needs”
Excerpt from Chapter 1 from Teaching Reading to Black Adolescent Males.
Reading: Participants are expected to complete weekly reading assignments. Most often these assignments will be linked to the week’s forum. Specific assignments for the week are included in each week’s agenda.
Forum: Participants will be expected to interact on the course forum. We will complete one forum during the face-to-face session and four additional forums, one each week of the class. Forum prompts are included in each week’s agenda as well as on the forum tool.
Action Assignments: Participants will complete one action assignment each week. Action assignments will be closely connected to participants’ daily practice in the school/classroom. Assignments are included in each week’s agenda.
Assessment: An assessment document is available under the “Strand Assessment” section.
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS
WEEKLY AGENDAS
During each of the next four weeks, there will be something for you to read, something to respond to in the discussion board, & something for you to do with your students.
| Week 1 - Agenda | |
| Week 2 - Agenda | |
| Week 3 - Agenda | |
| Week 4 - Agenda |
Week # 1 - Additional Resources
Have a group of students (perhaps one class) complete the short "Reading & Study Habits Survey".
| Week 1-Reading & Study Habit Survey |
Week # 3 - Additional Resource
Think about how you completed this week’s reading assignment. Open the “Reader’s Checklist” and respond to the questions on it.
| Week 3- Reader's Checklist |
WEEKLY DISCUSSION PROMPTS
STRAND ASSESSMENT
If the workshop strands are being taken for Butler credit, this is how your grade will be earned. If you are taking the strands for your own professional development, grades will not be given at this time.
| Strand 1 - Assessment |