Stenhouse Newslinks
March 9, 2005
C O N T E N T S
1) A Day of Words
2) PD Corner: Revitalizing reading discussions
3) Lessons from recent high school grads
4) Stenhouse author honors and news
5) Fun stuff for National Poetry Month
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1) A Day of Words
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Word work is more than just improving spelling skills or
vocabulary knowledge--by exposing students to a rich variety of
texts and systematically focusing on words during content area
studies, teachers can make it a natural part of every day.
The new two-part video series, A Day of Words, provides a
thoughtful look at fifth-grade teacher Max Brand's approach to
word study. Filmed over the course of one day, teachers see how
Max weaves inquiry notebooks, charts and word walls, individual
and group instruction, and mini-lessons into the entire
curriculum. Available in both VHS and DVD (with bonus segments on
the DVD), the program includes a Viewing Guide and is an excellent
professional development resource for intermediate grade teachers.
A Day of Words: Integrating Word Work in the Intermediate Grades
Max Brand * 2-part VHS or DVD series with Viewing Guide
$195 * Available Now
DVD: http://www.stenhouse.com/0417.asp?r=n64
VHS: http://www.stenhouse.com/0411.asp?r=n64
And be sure to also check out Max's book, Word Savvy. Follow the
link below to read Chapter 1 on-line.
Word Savvy: Integrating Vocabulary, Spelling, and Word Study,
Grades 3-6 * 192 pp/paper * $22.50
http://www.stenhouse.com/0366.asp?r=n64
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2) PD Corner: Revitalizing reading discussions
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*March Quote of the Month*
"After three days without reading, talk becomes flavorless."
--Chinese Proverb
Great literature conversations among students often begin with
great chat among teachers. If you've been thinking about starting
a book club with your colleagues, ReadingGroupGuides.com has a
wealth of materials available for designing and leading adult
reading groups. The site includes everything from practical tips
to literature-linked recipes:
http://www.readinggroupguides.com/
Are your students stuck in conversational ruts with literature
circles or reading groups? You might want to pick up a copy of
Matt Copeland's new book, Socratic Circles, which combines the
best elements of literature circles and Socratic discussions. It's
available to preview on-line, in its entirety:
http://www.stenhouse.com/0394.asp?r=n64
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3) Lessons from recent high school grads
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"If the governors propose only business-model-based reforms, some
essential elements of the puzzle--substantive extracurricular
activities; close teacher-student relationships; excellent, yet
varied teaching; and inclusive, caring, and challenging school
cultures--will remain elusive."
As high school reform gets national attention, this recent
commentary in Education Week suggests that leaders should listen
to the voices of recent graduates and their insights into what
worked (and didn't) during their high school years:
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2005/02/23/24byrnes.h24.html
(Free registration required.)
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4) Stenhouse author honors and news
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***Denny Taylor, co-editor of Teaching and Advocacy, has been
elected to the International Reading Association's Reading Hall of
Fame. She is also organizing a conference April 7-9 at Hofstra
University titled, "Teachers Helping Teachers: Using Literacy to
Support Children Who Have Experienced Armed Conflict or Natural
Disasters." For registration and graduate credit information:
http://www.hofstra.edu/pdf/soe_conferenceapril79.pdf
***Kelly Gallagher, author of Reading Reasons and Deeper Reading,
received the Classroom Excellence Award from the California
Association of Teachers of English at their annual conference in
February.
***Diane Sweeney, author of Learning Along the Way, is directing
the launch of a professional development program for school-based
coaches at the Public Education & Business Coalition in Denver.
For more information, including details on a May 12-13 seminar
with Diane and Ellin Oliver Keene, go to:
http://www.pebc.org/ourwork/consulting/coaching.htm
***Jean Boreen, co-author of the video series Mentoring and its
two related books, became chair of the English Department at
Northern Arizona University and received the Arts and Sciences
Distinguished Professor Award in 2004.
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5) Fun stuff for National Poetry Month
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April is National Poetry Month, now in its 10th year. You can
Browse 30 ways to celebrate poetry:
http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/94
Order a free poster:
http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/138
Host a Bad Poetry Reading:
http://www.cbcbooks.org/yppw/celebrate/badpoetry.html
Explore the National Poetry Map:
http://www.poets.org/map.php
Read a cartoon:
http://www.poets.org/media/15_tshirt_big.gif
(From the T-shirt, http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/17019.)
Find out more about the event:
http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/41
And here are several Stenhouse titles that will help you increase
the presence of poetry throughout the year:
A Note Slipped Under the Door: Teaching from Poems We Love
Nick Flynn and Shirley McPhillips
http://www.stenhouse.com/0320.asp?r=n64
Teeth, Wiggly as Earthquakes: Writing Poetry in the Primary
Grades* Judith Tannenbaum
http://www.stenhouse.com/0323.asp?r=n64
Poetry Goes to School: From Mother Goose to Shel Silverstein
Bob Barton and David Booth
http://www.stenhouse.com/8161.asp?r=n64
Three Voices: An Invitation to Poetry Across the Curriculum
Bernice E. Cullinan, Marilyn C. Scala, and Virginia C. Schroder
http://www.stenhouse.com/0015.asp?r=n64
Count to Five and Say "I'm Alive!" Two Poetry Workshops
Michael Rosen and Judith Nicholls * 30 minute VHS videotape
http://www.stenhouse.com/0006.asp?r=n64
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