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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

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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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