Twitter is a wonderful thing, isn't it?Institute 1A this morning was presented by Gay Su Pinnell, as explored here earlier this week.
Margaret and Ros from ALEA introduce Gay.
Her focus was on reading.
She said that students are reading too fast and not understanding what they’re reading, often due to the emphasis put on fast reading.
Gay also said that reading for someone else and not themselves was an issue.
In retelling and summarizing, ‘They get lost in the details they miss the big ideas.’
Gay also said that, ‘You must read with accuracy.’
She read the book Grandma’s Purple Flowers out loud and as a group we delved deeper into it.
She talked about what you do in your mind as you read: process, think of similar titles, link to own life, accommodate new knowledge, predict what will happen next, think about the writer’s style and craft.
Gay said that you never stop learning to read – reading graphic novels for instance you have to process new symbols, ways of reading and the author’s writing style.
She showed a couple of videos of teachers reading Grandma’s Purple Flowers and other books to students and we were guided through an analysis of the books in Gay’s handout.
She spoke about selecting texts appropriate for the age group of the class.
Gay said that the overall goal was to get kids to be readers and writers as everyone else in the world is. Think about your reading habits: you should want that for your kids (Perhaps a little wider genre choice than you as an adult, Gay jokingly added).
Gay went through various ‘minilessons’ about reading and comprehension.
She said that, ‘We need to ramp up mileage as readers.’ Gay mentioned a study and compared the top and bottom ten per cent of a large sample of student readers and the amount of words they read over a long period of time was vastly different.
The session – of the two thirds I saw of it – was very interactive with Gay asking opinions of everyone in the room. There were individual table discussions and opportunities to ask questions and I think the inclusive nature of the session really worked.
ALEA’s 2011 National conference Multiliterate, Multicultural, Multifaceted… Melbourne
features exciting, high calibre, informed speakers!
Hilton on the Park, East Melbourne
Thursday 7 July to Sunday 10 July 2011
Don’t miss these Institutes with a Difference!
Institute 3 - A Focus on Language and Literature: Possibilities, possibilities and potential problems in the Australian Curriculum
David Hornsby, Denise Ryan, Margaret Zeegers & David Howes
This institute will provide practical and inspirational ideas for working within the English language, literature and literacy strands of the Australian Curriculum.
David Hornsby will examine the possibilities and the potential problems of the Australian Curriculum: English. He will describe a model of curriculum which is 'hidden' behind the new Australian Curriculum; a model which should be clear and 'up front' if teachers are to understand and implement the new curriculum.
David will explore how teachers may develop important conditions for learning that will engage students and help them learn skills in context. In particular, he will focus on using literature as a springboard for teaching two of the 'hot topics' getting media and political attention: phonics and grammar.
Denise Ryan’s session will introduce you to a wide range of children’s books, some new, some old that can be listened to, read explored and discussed in the classroom.
Margaret Zeeger’s session will work with teachers existing grammar knowledge to facilitate their teaching of grammar in their classrooms.
David Howes will discuss the Australian Curriculum from a state/territory perspective.
This session will conclude with a Panel Session to answer your questions, chaired by Professor Heather Fehring and featuring - David Hornsby, Denise Ryan, Margaret Zeegers and David Howes.
Hilton on the Park, East Melbourne
Thursday 7 July to Sunday 10 July 2011
Don’t miss these Institutes with a Difference!
Institute 1B - Teaching with Intention: Creating Cultures of Thinking, Understanding, and Independence
Debbie Miller, Author and Literacy Consultant (USA)
This Institute will focus on key principles and and practices that support active teaching and learning.
Key ideas will include Debbie's new thinking about comprehension strategy instruction, how to go about instilling the spark of agency within children and ourselves, and defining and aligning our beliefs about teaching and learning.
Debbie will share a range of lessons, children's work samples and a short video clip or two.
Breakout discussion groups and time for Q and A.
ALEA’s 2011 National Conference Multiliterate, Multicultural, Multifaceted… Melbourne
features exciting, high calibre, informed speakers!
Hilton on the Park, East Melbourne
Thursday 7 July to Sunday 10 July 2011
Don’t miss these Institutes with a Difference!
Institute 1A - A Focus on Reading and Connection with other Literacies
Prof. Gay Su Pinnell, Ohio State University
This institute focuses on the development and deepening of ways of thinking about texts.
The presenter will describe twelve systems of strategic actions that readers use to effectively process written texts and will also discuss the relationship between comprehension and knowledge of genre.
Video will be used to illustrate several instructional contexts, including interactive read aloud, reading workshop, guided reading, and writing workshop.
The session will be interactive, with participants having opportunity to discuss lessons with colleagues and to share perspectives.
A longer discussion session will be offered in the afternoon and will wrap-up with Q and A.
