PETERBOROUGH, N.H., Feb. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The shifts resulting from the implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) require educators to find new ways to close gaps in reading and build student skillsets. More than ever, teachers are being asked to develop different strategies to provide consistent exposure to materials to encourage young readers to read, think, and reason.
Professional development experts Staff Development for Educators (SDE) have developed a new seminar based around the framework of mini-lessons to aid in making the Reading Standards easy, accessible, and fun for students. Reading Mini-Lessons for the Common Core: Read, Think, Succeed! is being offered this spring in several locations and is designed to help teachers confidently teach the Reading Standards and systematically develop students' knowledge through reading.
In this seminar, veteran teacher and Common Core expert Pat Pavelka will increase teacher understanding of the Reading Standards, help educators develop students' critical thinking and close reading skills as required by the Common Core, and improve higher-level thinking, all while building mini-lessons that can be used for each Core Reading Standard.
"In this seminar, educators will discover how to add rigor to their instruction by building students' stamina for thinking deeply, applying what they know, and making connections to the texts they read," Pavelka explains. "Creating fun and engaging mini-lessons will assist in making the standards doable, and will help apply them to daily practice."
Teachers will explore the standards inside and out —discovering exactly what to teach, how to teach it, and why —to make the required shifts in instruction easily and confidently. Pavelka's proven repertoire of fresh, new mini-lessons for each Core Reading Standards, complete with follow-up assignments and activities, provide a comprehensive toolkit of resources that instructors can take back to the classroom and use immediately.
Each mini-lesson is designed to encourage higher-level thinking, and build comprehension, develop vocabulary, make author/illustrator connections, and compare/contrast across different texts —core skills that students will need to advance to the next level.
"This is a great way to start your young learners down the road to a lifelong love of reading," states Pavelka.
In addition, Pavelka provides ways to use checklists, simple assessments, and other tools to effectively evaluate student learning and instruction. She also includes strategies for differentiation to address different personalities and ability levels. Techniques for supporting struggling readers and challenge proficient ones— in whole groups, small groups, and independent practice, are woven within each mini-lesson.
The seminar is designed for new and veteran teachers alike. Educators will learn both how to create and to tweak existing lessons into mini-lessons to meet the needs of every learner and accelerate student mastery of the standards and growth as readers.
Staff Development for Educators is America's leading provider of professional development for PreK through Grade 12 educators. SDE believes that educators have the most important job in the world. That's Through Onsite PD, PD Events, Web-based PD, and PD Resources, the company empowers teachers and administrators across the country with ongoing professional development that is not only research-based, innovative, and rigorous, but also practical, motivating, and fun. All SDE training is presented by the nation's top authors and educational experts, with the goal of creating extraordinary classrooms that prepare students for the evolving demands of the 21stcentury.
All SDE events include a free resource book of handouts, lesson ideas, reproducibles, and more, and a free 60-day membership at TeachingMadeEasier.com. With the paid registration of a staff member, SDE extends free tuition to a principal from the same building, and also offers group discounts for groups of 10+ and 20+.
Reading Mini-Lessons for the Common Core: Read, Think, Succeed! will be offered in Troy, NY on April 29th, Manchester, NH on April 30th, and East Hartford, CT on May 1st. Educators interested registering for this seminar, or learning about more about SDE's national conferences, upcoming SDE events, or other professional development opportunities, can visit www.SDE.com, call 1-800-462-1478, or email Email.