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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 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 1) A Day of Words ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 2) PD Corner: Revitalizing reading discussions ---------------------------------------------------------------- *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 ---------------------------------------------------------------- 3) Lessons from recent high school grads ---------------------------------------------------------------- "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.) ---------------------------------------------------------------- 4) Stenhouse author honors and news ---------------------------------------------------------------- ***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. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 5) Fun stuff for National Poetry Month ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Please send comments and questions to Chuck Lerch, Newslinks Editor, at

or call (800) 988-9812. View archives of past issues here: http://www.stenhouse.com/nlindex.asp To subscribe to Stenhouse Newslinks, please send an e-mail with your request to

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