2016-17 Literacy Webinar Series
Oakland Schools ISD Waterford, MI
Word Study, Vocabulary & Grammar: the Toughest Nuts to Crack
Effective instruction in spelling, phonics, vocabulary, and grammar are the most challenging areas for K-12 ELA teachers to gain traction with their students. There’s confusion about effective practices, how to organically integrate word study, vocabulary and grammar into reading and writing instruction, as well as how to design or select the best resources and programs for this work.
This webinar series features hour-long sessions with experts and practitioners in the field who will provide direction in how to gain instructional traction in word study, vocabulary, and grammar that will affect student achievement. The questions addressed across the series include:
- How can teachers facilitate the transfer of skills learned in word study to reading and writing?
- How do teachers decide what vocabulary words to teach and how to teach them?
- How do we teach grammar in a way that impacts student writing?
- How do we make smart decisions about the resources and programs we select for word study, vocabulary and grammar instruction?
COST & SCECHs: All sessions are FREE. Education credits are available for Michigan educators.
Complex Texts, Complex Sentences: Grammar & Comprehension in the Time of Common Core
Dr. Tim Shanahan, University of Illinois at Chicago
recommended reading: Tim Shanahan's blog - Shanahan on Literacy
Words in the World: Transferring Word Study to Everyday Reading and Writing
Dr. Laura Tortorelli, Michigan State University
Thursday, November 17, 2016 7-8pm EST
Grammar in Theory; Grammar in Practice: Language Use in Culture, Society, and Our Classrooms
Dr. Jonathan Bush, Western Michigan University
Thursday, December 8, 2016 7-8pm EST
more information
recommended reading:
- Grammar to Enrich and Enhance Writing by Constance Weaver and Jonathan Bush
- Grammar Alive: a Guide for Teachers by Brock Haussamen
Cracking the Code of Early Literacy: What Is Phonemic Awareness and Why Does it Matter?
Dr. Laura Tortorelli, Michigan State University
more information
recommended reading: Phonemic Awareness in Young Children by Marilyn Jager Adams, Barbara Foorman, Ingvar Lundberg, and Terri Beeler
From Texting to Teaching: Teaching Grammar Beyond the Screen
Dr. Troy Hicks, Central Michigan University & Jeremy Hyler, Fulton Schools, MI
Tuesday, February 7, 2017 7-8pm EST
recommended reading:
- "Sentence Hacking Through Social Media" a blog post by Jeremy Hyler
- "Flipped English Classrooms" a blog post by Jeremy Hyler
- Create, Compose, Connect!: Reading, Writing, and Learning with Digital Tools by Troy Hicks and Jeremy Hyler
Cracking the Vocabulary Nut Requires Rich, Interactive Instruction
Dr. Margaret McKeown, University of Pittsburgh
more information
recommended reading:
- Creating Robust Vocabulary: Frequently Asked Questions & Extended Examples by Isabel L. Beck, Margaret G. McKeown, and Linda Kucan
- Bringing Words to Life: Robust Vocabulary Instruction, 2nd Edition by Isabel L. Beck, Margaret G. McKeown, and Linda Kucan
Who Is Using the Vocabulary?: Engaging Students in Active Practice with New & Important Words
Thursday, April 20, 2017 7-8pm EST
Dr. Dianna Townsend, University of Nevada-Reno
recommended reading: Vocabulary Their Way: Word Study with Middle and Secondary Students, 2nd Edition by Shane Templeton, Donald R. Bear, Marcia A. Invernizzi, Fancine R. Johnson, Kevin Flanigan, Dianna R. Townsend, Lori Helman and Latisha Hayes.
Organically Integrating Vocabulary into the Secondary Classroom
Sarah Brown Wessling, 2010 Teacher of the Year
recommended reading: Supporting Students in a Time of Core Standards: 9-12 by Sarah Brown Wessling
EXTEND YOUR LEARNING
Oakland Schools Word Study White Paper
The Oakland Schools Word Study Team will be publishing a white paper in October that identifies the key instructional issues and discusses the research on word study, vocabulary and grammar instruction. All registrants will receive a digital copy.
Word Study, Vocabulary & Grammar Collaboration Group
All series registrants will receive information about how to sign up for our virtual collaboration group in mi PLACE (Michigan Professional Learning and Collaboration Environment), where educators can continue the conversation between sessions, share resources, and ask questions.
Oakland Schools Word Study Team
Michele Farah (michele.farah@oakland.k12.mi.us)
Diane Katakowski (diane.katakowski@oakland.k12.mi.us)
Susan Koceski (susan.koceski@oakland.k12.mi.us)
Website: http://www.oaklandschoolsliteracy.org/
Location: 2111 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Township, MI, United States
Twitter: @OaklandELA