Professional Development
A teacher's education never ends. New research, state standards, and curriculum changes require teachers who are informed, energized, and responsive. Learn the characteristics of excellent reading teachers and the knowledge and skills required to teach reading effectively.
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English Language Learners in Middle and High School
In this 45-minute video, Dr. Deborah Short, a Senior Research Associate for the Language Education and Academic Development division of the Center for Applied Linguistics, discusses how to teach content to late-entry ELLs and how to ensure reading comprehension for success in the content areas.
Adolescent Literacy Resources: Linking Research and Practice
Meltzer, J., Cook Smith, N. and Clark, H. Adolescent Literacy Resources: Linking Research and Practice. Retrieved Oct. 22, 2007, from http://www.alliance.brown.edu/pubs/adlit/alr_lrp.pdf.
This book from the Education Alliance at Brown University reviews relevant research from the past 20 years and describes the implications for instruction, curriculum, school structure, professional development, and assessment.
Analyzing Data and Drawing Conclusions
November 02, 2007
Watch teacher Cris Tovani lead a lesson in interpreting data, charts, and graphs. Tovani models reading the data, the class discusses how the data is displayed and interpreted, then students practice reading charts in small groups. Used with permission from Stenhouse Publishers.
Asking and Answering Questions
October 30, 2007
A teacher uses whole-class instruction and a graphic organizer to guide students as they formulate and answer questions related to their text. Used with permission from the Virginia Dept. of Education.
Conferring and Whiparound Exercise
November 02, 2007
Encouraging writing involves feedback and reflection. See a fifth grade teacher help an individual student hone in on a topic and then use a group "whiparound" exercise to help students think about their writing even when class time is short. Used with permission from Stenhouse Publishers.
Creating Questions before Reading
October 30, 2007
An eighth-grade class uses a summary strategy to generate "juicy" and "dry" questions. Used with permission from the Virginia Dept. of Education.
Free Writing with Sensory Stimuli
October 30, 2007
A seventh-grade class uses sensory stimuli in a free-writing exercise to enhance comprehension and encourage students' descriptive writing. Used with permission from the Virginia Dept. of Education.
Improving Literacy Instruction in Middle and High Schools: A Guide for Principals
Torgesen, J., Houston, D., & Rissman, L. (2007). Improving literacy instruction in middle and high schools: A guide for principals. Portsmouth, NH: RMC Research Corporation, Center on Instruction.
When principals are school literacy leaders, reading outcomes improve for middle and high school students. This guide from the Center on Instruction outlines the elements of school-level planning and leadership found in successful schools. It emphasizes three areas: leadership activities, the use of data to guide instruction, and appropriate and effective instructional materials.
Intro and Word Walls
November 02, 2007
See a 5th grade class where the teacher encourages students to stop and think about words at every opportunity and uses a word wall to support vocabulary development. Used with permission from Stenhouse Publishers.
Literacy Coaching
November 02, 2007
Two experienced literacy coaches compare notes about working with students--and teachers--in the classroom. Used with permission from Stenhouse Publishers.
