English Education Professional Development Opportunity

Friday, June 22 -- Sunday, June 24

Current Trends in Teaching Literacy in the Secondary Classroom

Learning to read a variety of texts has never been more important. In a world which constantly asks its citizens to make sense of the printed word, it is imperative that the English classroom equips its students with the literacy skills to be critical and confident readers. 

This course will discuss the current trends in teaching literacy to young adults. It will focus on different strategies to help students become more adept at reading a variety of texts in differing contexts.  Participants will learn a variety of reading strategies they can implement into their own teaching.  They will examine how the study of literary theories can be incorporated into their own curriculum. They will also learn how the computer can enhance the study of literature through the use of blogs, wikis and electric organizers. 

Designed for language arts/reading teachers on the secondary level, participants will explore the ways in which they can enhance their own teaching through small-group work, lesson-plan design and individual written reflections. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• The participants will understand how to incorporate computer-based discussions into the teaching of literature

• The participants will apply contemporary reading theory to their own practice

• The participants will study critical literary theory and apply it to literature designed for the secondary classroom 

• The participants will reflect on how new teaching strategies can enhance their own established curriculum

COURSE CONTENT/SCHEDULE

Friday 22 June  SESSION 1         12:00-5:00

Using technology to teach literacy: This session will provide an introduction to the many new computer-based activities available for the secondary English/language arts classroom. Through hands-on activities, participants will be introduced to different modes of computer-based communication, such as wikis, blogs, electric organizers.  As a class, we will discuss the ways in which these ideas can be incorporated into an established curriculum.  Individually, each participant will reflect on their acquired knowledge and professional goals.

Saturday 23 June SESSION 2        9:00-12:00

New Trends in Teaching Reading:  This session is designed to introduce participants to current ideas in teaching reading, literature and other texts.  Drawing upon the work of Robert Scholes, it will challenge participants to broaden their definition of “text” and employ new reading materials into their classroom. Participants will read and respond to one particular new teaching strategy and share their work in small groups.  This session will end with a large-group discussion of the how these ideas can be implemented in established curricula.

Saturday 23 June SESSION 3        1:00-5:00

Critical Literary Theory:  This section will introduce participants to critical literary theory.  It will advocate for the teaching of critical theory to young adults and provide participants with a variety of strategies how to do this.  Hands-on activities will model ways that this can be done in a classroom.  Participants will create one literature-based activity and share it with their small groups.  Finally, the class will discuss the pros and cons of incorporating critical theory into the secondary English/language arts classroom.

Sunday 24 June  SESSION 4          9:00-12:00

Putting it All Together-Creating Lesson Plans:  In the past three sessions, participants have been introduced to the current trends of teaching literature to young adults.  This session asks participants to create and reflect on two lesson plans that incorporate some of the strategies introduced in this course.  The final session will also provide participants a chance to share what they have learned, to reflect on their acquired knowledge and to set their own professional goals.