Fostering Student Literacy across the Disciplines
from NCTE INBOX 11-1-11
The NCTE Policy Research Brief Literacies of Disciplines states, "Research shows that when schools create explicit spaces for students and teachers to discuss the overlap and the differences among disciplinary literacies, teachers become more effective, and students develop new ways of representing and generating knowledge." NCTE and ReadWriteThink.org have resources that explain and show how all educators can teach reading and writing across the disciplines.
For far too long, some teachers have believed that they must choose between teaching reading and teaching content. Heather Lattimer addresses this issue head-on in Reading for Learning: Using Discipline-Based Texts to Build Content Knowledge (M-S). View this sample chapter online to read more.
ReadWriteThink.org offers several strategy guides on Reading in the Content Areas. Two topics covered are "Preparing Students for Success with Reading in the Content Areas" (M-S) and "Supporting Student Comprehension in Content Area Reading" (M-S).
In the recorded version of the Writing in Every Content Area Web seminar (M-S), teacher and author Deborah Dean helps participants expand their use of writing as a way to enhance learning, particularly in content-area classrooms. Read more in her book What Works in Writing Instruction: Research and Practices.
To go a step beyond the classroom, take a look at NCTE's "On Teaching Content: Building a Schoolwide Culture" (M-S). In this complementary On-Demand Web seminar, teachers across subject areas discuss the ways in which literacy instructional routines integrated throughout the school day support students' understanding about the content. They share successful approaches for engaging students with vocabulary, writing, and building background.
Interested in learning more about school-wide efforts to support content literacy? Sign up for Pathways for Advancing Adolescent Literacy (M-S), a yearlong professional development program that helps teachers, schools, and districts address the unique needs of adolescent learners with content on key areas such as gradual release of responsibility, 21st century literacies, supporting English language learners, content area literacy, and assessment.
Featuring descriptions and activities for 50 exceptional titles, The Power of Picture Books: Using Content Area Literature in Middle School (M) offers a wealth of ideas for harnessing the power of picture books to improve reading and writing in the content areas.
NCTE offers consultants who specialize in content area literacy instruction and are available to present one-day or multi-day sessions or provide year-round consulting. All workshops and presentations can be customized to meet your specific needs.
Will you be attending NCTE’s 101st Annual Convention this month? If so, here are some sessions being offered on Content Area Literacy.
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