Shared Reading & Literacy Curriculum Workshop Corey L. Davis Grand Canyon University EED Curriculum, Assessment and Methods: Literacy February 16 th, 2011

WEST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WORLAND, WY WORKSHOP TO HELP PARENTS DEVELOP THEIR CHILDREN’S LITERACY SKILLS Presented by: COREY L. DAVIS 5 TH GRADE TEACHER

“Young children’s introduction to written language begins before they come to school. Parents and other caregivers read to them, and they learn to read signs and other environmental print in their community. They experiment with writing and have their parents write messages for them; they also observe adults writing.” (Tompkins, 2010, p. 111).

“When young children come to school, their knowledge about written language expands quickly as they learn concepts about print and participate in meaningful experiences with reading and writing.” (Tompkins, 2010, p. 111).

 What does and does not work with your child in terms of instruction?  I am the professional teacher and you are the professional parents. Let’s share our knowledge with each other.

“Families know certain aspects of their children better than anyone else does.” (Heward, 2009, p. 91).

 As a teacher, I can learn volumes about your student’s habits, work ethic, likes, dislikes, and motivation techniques from parents.  Likewise, as parents, you can also learn things from the teacher; such as study techniques, testing, things to work on at home, activities, etc.

“Families have the greatest vested interest in seeing their children learn.” (Heward, 2009, p. 91).

 Program will last four weeks.  This will be for a grade.  Program will be in addition to student’s normal in-class reading workload.

 Student will need to pick a reading partner.  Student must read out loud to reading partner for 30 minutes each week.  Reading partner must read out loud to student for 30 minutes each week.  Reading material will be the choice of the student and reading partner.

Examples of 5 th Grade reading: ◦ Spiderwick Chronicles By Tony DiTerlizzi ◦ Hardy Boys By Franklin W. Dixon ◦ Hank the Cowdog By John R. Erickson ◦ The Great Brain By John Dennis Fitzgerald ◦ Nancy Drew By Carolyn Keene ◦ Chronicles of Narnia By C.S. Lewis ◦ Anne of Green Gables By L.M. Montgomery ◦ Alice Series By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor ◦ Series of Unfortunate Events By Lemony Snicket ◦ Sammy Keyes By Wendolin Van Draanen (Chandler Public Library, 2008).

Other Acceptable Examples: ◦ Magazines ◦ Newspapers ◦ Autobiographies ◦ Hobbies ◦ Interests

Assessment:  Weekly reading record.  Signatures from students and reading partners.  Grade is simply pass or fail.  Random phone calls.  Weekly writing assignment to be done by student in the classroom.

Benefits of the Program:  Family bonding  Parents become involved in their children’s education  Increase in student reading load  Pride  Fun  Different

Rationale Behind the Program:  Practice  Different teaching style  No teacher  Auditory Learning

ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES  Dice game  Read to a pet  Play board games  Make trades  Offer rewards  Family reading night  Nature reading

ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES (cont.)  Have fun  Make your children feel your enthusiasm for reading.  Students learn more and remember more when they are having fun.  ENJOY your time with them, include them, ask them questions, challenge them, and teach them.  Who knows, they might actually teach you a thing or two.

“The family is likely to be the only group of adults involved with a child’s educational program throughout her entire school career.” (Heward, 2009, p. 91).

References:  Chandler Public Library. (2008). Fifth Grade Suggested Reading. Retrieved February 15, 2011, from s/fifthgrade.htm.  Heward, W. L. (2009). Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.

References:  Tompkins, G. E. (2010). Literacy for the 21st Century: A Balanced Approach (5th ed.). New York, NY: Allyn & Bacon.

Thank you for all of your time