Literacy Now

The Inter-American Teacher Education Network (ITEN) will offer free webinars on Innovative Literacy Teaching Techniques in July and August, 2012.

The IRA-ITEN webinars in Spanish will address techniques for literacy teaching to increase students reading comprehension. Presenters include Adelina Arellano Osuna on July 13, Oscar J. Martínez Alaníz on July 26, and Paul Boyd-Batstone on August 10. All webinars are 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This webinar series has an online registration form in Spanish only.

For further information about and handouts for the webinars, visit www.oas.org/en/iten/webinars.asp. 

ITEN is a professional network of leaders in education in the Americas that promotes horizontal cooperation among the Organization of American States (OAS) member states to share knowledge, experiences, research and good practices in the field of teacher education. These webinars are offered as part of the ongoing partnership with OAS and the International Reading Association (IRA).

by Dale Harper

As the Keystone State Reading Association (KSRA) in Pennsylvania prepares for its 2012 Annual Conference entitled “Read and Shine” to be held in the charming Champion area in the breathtaking Laurel Highlands region outside of Pittsburgh this fall, members look back with fondness and triumph on the bevy of barricades that mounted against them in the autumn of 2011.

On October 27 to 29, 2011, KSRA hosted a successful 44th Annual Reading Conference entitled “Literacy: Share the Passion” in the quaint Pennsylvania Dutch region of Lancaster, PA. After two years of preparation and challenging hurdles, a program of some of the best and most knowledgeable speakers from all over the country was brought together for the three-day conference.

KSRA 2011 Conference Committee members

Most presenters spoke about the two hottest topics: Core Standards and RTI. Publishers and vendors came through with incredible support. Visiting authors included two Caldecott winners as well as other award winners. Spirits were high, and President-elect and 2011 Conference Chairperson Dale Harper, Poster Artist Joan Lengel, Editor Angee Cobb, Photographer Christine Kurman, Logo Creator Hank Grasso and the rest of the conference committee worked around the clock to make it a conference to remember.

However, financial, political, and environmental obstacles arose that made success seemingly impossible.

Finances Fizzle

During the 2010-2011 school year, severe budget reductions continued. Stimulus funds were gone. School districts had their budgets cut to bare bones, and districts had to eliminate teaching positions. Many districts told their staff that no school staff would be able to go anywhere, even if they were presenting at a conference.

Politicians Tighten Belts

Professional development was the next hurdle to overcome. Some months before the conference, the Governor of Pennsylvania announced that all five hundred school districts in the state did not have to offer professional development to their staff for two years. This was a tremendous blow to the conference, especially since the conference was offering presenters that were on the national committees for Core Standards and other speakers that are some of the best in their fields. We were concerned that many educators in the state would not be able to experience this level of professional development, even though Core Standards would soon be implemented.

Old Man Winter Arrives Early

On the last day of the conference (Saturday), there were eleven inches of snow with roads closed, trees down, and an incredible amount of accidents. An October snowfall is very rare for this area of Pennsylvania. It was treacherous. Therefore, the teachers that were coming only Saturday—because their school districts would not get substitutes for them during the week—did not come.

Against the Odds

Anything that could go wrong, did! However, the quality and quantity of presenters was so incredibly high that districts sent their staff anyway, and some people paid their own way just so they could experience and learn from these great people. 

Irene Fountas, who has it all—research, materials, assessment, and intervention—lived up to her phenomenal reputation.Roger Farr connected his strategies with the Core Standards, and Richard Gentry also spoke about his three big ideas to promote reading success and meet Core Standards. Karen Wixson explained RTI and even sent her PowerPoint for our website. Ellin Keene spoke of New Horizons in Comprehension, and Maureen McLaughlin, IRA’s Vice President, talked about Content Area Literacy. In addition, Victoria Risko, President and national committee member for Core Standards, presented on Comprehension and Core Standards. There were many others that wowed the crowd with their expertise. Their knowledge and energy made their presentations most worthwhile and unforgettable.

In addition to our presentations, we had two lovely Authors’ Teas. Participants had hot beverages and met with the authors as they took turns sharing a little about themselves and their work. Author signatures on the logo mugs made them a collectable favorite to take home. Our author and illustrator line-up was equally as impressive. Jerry Pinkney, 2010 Caldecott winner, received a standing ovation as he shared his talents and treasures. Paul O. Zelinsky, winner of multiple Caldecott Awards, was there as well with his new book. Other award-winning authors included Ralph Masiello, Peter Catalanotto, Kevin O’Malley, Floyd Cooper, Marisa Paolicelli, Sneed B. Collard III, J. Patrick Lewis, and many more.

Our goal was achieved with a “win-win” for everyone! We met the IRA and KSRA goals with the best program we could create and gave it to the largest number of people possible. We wanted to let the sponsors know how much they are appreciated especially during this financial crunch. We gave them as much exposure as possible to thank them for their sponsorship of some the most knowledgeable presenters in the fi eld. Even in these challenging times, everyone benefits if we work together, remain active, participate, and share the passion of promoting literacy.

Dale Harper was the Keystone State Reading Association President-elect and 2011 Conference Chairperson, dgharper1@verizon.net.

This article is reprinted from the June/July 2012 issue of Reading Today. IRA members can read the interactive digital version of the magazine here. Nonmembers: join today! 

The International Reading Association honored our international affiliates at the awards ceremony on Sunday, April 30, 2012, at the IRA 58th Annual Convention in Chicago. Victoria Risko, Amy Kushner, Carrice Cummins, Marcie Craig Post, and Maureen McLaughlin present awards to members of IRA’s International Development Coordinating Committee accepted awards on behalf of the international affiliates and grant recipients. This year’s ceremony marked the start of a new tradition of including international affiliates in this annual awards ceremony. 

International Affiliates Grants and Awards

Anastasia Reva, Russia, Volzhskiy Literacy Project

Jacqueline Leigh, Sierra Leone, Seli River Writing Project

Jessie B. Fagans, Liberia, Liberian Books for Liberian Children

Heidi Baer-Postigo, Bolivia, Kids Books Bolivia

Dr. Ann Nkechi Iheonu, Nigeria, Establish Reading Centers in Owerri

Nwigwe Ngozi, Nigeria, Developing Teachers’ Capacity for Teaching Pupils Initial Reading Skills

Samuel Andema, Uganda, Promoting Digital Literacy in Ugandan Education: An ICT Laboratory and Community Resources

Constance McCullogh Award

Jackson Mukasa Kizza, Uganda, Empowering the Ugandan Child through Reading

International Membership Awards

Africa: Reading Association of Nigeria

Asia: Reading Association of the Philippines

Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago Reading Association

Eurasia: Kazakhstan Reading Association

Europe: Reading Association of Russia

Latin America: Consejo Puebla de Lectura, Mexico

Oceania: Australian Literacy Educators’Association

Longest Standing International Affiliate Awards

Africa: Reading Association of Nigeria

Asia: Japan Reading Association

Caribbean: Jamaica Reading Association

Eurasia: Kazakhstan Reading Association

Europe: Læsepædagogen Danish Council of International Reading Association

Latin America: Sociedad de Dislexia Del Uruguay

Oceania: Australian Literacy Educators’ Association.

Photo by Chuck Fazio Photography.

This article is reprinted from the June/July 2012 issue of Reading Today. IRA members can read the interactive digital version of the magazine here. Nonmembers: join today!

The International Reading Association (IRA) has published hundreds of books over the past 50 years, but did you know that we also publish e-books? IRA offers electronic versions of 14 texts that customers can download to digital devices, such as computers, laptops, iPads and other tablets, and iPhones and other smartphones.

14 E-Books Available

IRA is dedicated to producing books in a variety of formats to make texts and their enhancements accessible to all learners. IRA determines whether to create an e-book title based on the book’s popularity and suitability for electronic versions.

To purchase an IRA e-book, consult the current e-books roster on the IRA website. On each title’s linked s webpage, click on a “Buy This E-Book” button to purchase the e-book through outlets such as IRA, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks (an Apple iTunes application). The following IRA e-books can be purchased and downloaded now:

• After Early Intervention, Then What? Teaching Struggling Readers in Grades 3 and Beyond, 2nd edition edited by Jeanne R. Paratore and Rachel L. McCormack
• Classroom Strategies for Interactive Learning, 3rd edition by Doug Buehl
• Creating Strategic Readers: Techniques for Developing Competency in Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension, 2nd edition by Valerie Ellery 
• Developing Essential Literacy Skills: A Continuum of Lessons K–3 by Robin Cohen 
• Developing Readers in the Academic Disciplines by Doug Buehl
• In a Reading State of Mind: Brain Research, Teacher Modeling, and Comprehension Instruction by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and Diane Lapp
• R5 in Your Classroom: A Guide to Differentiating Independent Reading and Developing Avid Readers (PDF e-book) by Michelle J. Kelley and Nicki Clausen-Grace
• Read, Write, Play, Learn: Literacy Instruction in Today's Kindergarten by Lori Jamison Rog
• Small-Group Reading Instruction: Differentiated Teaching Models for Intermediate Readers, Grades 3–8 by Beverly B. Tyner and Sharon E. Green
• Sustaining Strategic Readers: Techniques for Supporting Content Literacy in Grades 6–12 by Valerie Ellery and Jennifer L. Rosenboom 
• Text Complexity: Raising Rigor in Reading by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and Diane Lapp
• Understanding and Using Reading Assessment, K–12, 2nd edition by Peter Afflerbach
• What Research Has to Say About Reading Instruction, 3rd edition edited by Alan E. Farstrup and S. Jay Samuels 
• What Research Has to Say About Reading Instruction, 4th edition edited by S. Jay Samuels and Alan E. Farstrup 

At least three more e-books are slated for publication this summer, so check the e-books list regularly. E-mail publications@/ to let us know which IRA books you’d like to see converted to e-book format!

Now With Video

IRA launched a new publishing project last month: e-books enhanced with embedded video. Now customers have the option to purchase In a Reading State of Mind: Brain Research, Teacher Modeling, and Comprehension Instruction by Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and Diane Lapp as a print text with a DVD or as an e-book with the videos included within the e-book interface. This e-book allows readers to read the text and watch the videos on the same electronic device. The seven videos are placed in the e-book where the text refers to the lessons they illustrate. 

Due to the current status of enhanced e-book technology, this new, enhanced e-book is available through iBooks, but it is not yet available through Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. 

To discover more about this resource, view a free sample video clip and listen to the authors’ podcast. IRA has also created a free Professional Development (PD) Guide for this book, available for download from the book’s webpage.

Supplemental Resources

IRA has begun developing free, downloadable PDFs of PD Guides and Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Connections Guides to accompany select books. Free PD Guides are available for:

The International Reading Association gave awards to many state and local councils and affiliate organizations from around the world during the ceremony on Sunday, April 29, at the IRA 57th Annual Convention in Chicago. Below is a list of some of those awards.

Exemplary Reading Program Award Winners

The following schools were given these awards through their state councils.

Cullman City Primary School, Cullman, AL, Patricia R. Culpepper, Principal

Fountain Lake School District, Hot Springs, AR

Woodrow Elementary School, Modesto, CA, Vickie Briscoe, Principal

Staffordville School, Staffordville, CT, Dr. Maureen Ryan, Principal

Wilder Elementary School, Wilder, ID, Jeff Dillon, Principal

Augustus H. Burley Elementary School, Chicago, IL, Barbara Kent, Principal

Maize South Elementary School, Wichita, KS, Tyler Ewert, Principal

A. A. Songy Kindergarten Center, Luling, LA, Claire P. Brauninger, Principal

Wicomico Early Learning Center, Salisbury, MD, Maria Marshall, Principal

Anna Ware Jackson School, Plainville, MA, Anne M. Houle, Principal

Burke Elementary School, Kansas City, MO, Deborah Fortner, Principal

Pringle Elementary School, Salem, OR, Linda Dougherty, Principal

Elizabeth Scott Elementary School, Chester, VA, Joan Temple, Principal

Local Council Community Service Awards

First Place

Jefferson County Council, Arkansas, Susan Bitely, President

Second Place

Moore County Council, North Carolina, Mary Ellen Skidmore, President

Advocacy Awards

Connecticut Reading Association, Marilyn Scanlan-White, Legislative Chair

Illinois Reading Council, Mike Ellerman, Legislative Chair

Louisiana Reading Association, Gerri Settoon, Legislative Chair

State of Maryland IRA Council, Dr. Suzanne Clewell, Legislative Chair

Michigan Reading Association, Cynthia Clingman, Legislative Chair

Oklahoma Reading Association, Pamela Hammon, Legislative Chair

Virginia State Reading Association, Marilyn Schempf, Legislative Chair

Membership Achievement Awards

Gold

Alabama Reading Association

Alberta Provincial Council

British Columbia Literacy Council

Diamond State Reading Association

Georgia Reading Association

Idaho Council

Illinois Reading Council

Iowa Reading Association

Kansas Reading Association

Manitoba Reading Association

Michigan Reading Association

Minnesota Reading Association

Mississippi Reading Association

North of Sixty Council

Oklahoma Reading Association

Saskatchewan Reading Council

South Carolina State Council

Tennessee Reading Association

Utah Council

Vermont Council on Reading

Silver

North Carolina Reading Association

Virginia State Reading Association

Wisconsin State Reading Association

Bronze

Indiana State Reading Association

Ontario Reading Association

State of Maryland IRA Council

Student Membership Achievement Awards

Gold

Massachusetts Reading Association

Ohio Council

Rhode Island State Council

South Dakota State Council

Utah Council

IRA also congratulates the state councils who were given Awards of Excellence and the hundreds of local councils that were named Honor Councils, whether it was their first year or their 30th year! Read about these award winners in the article entitled "2012 IRA Award of Excellence and Honor Council Recipients" on Reading Today Online. 

This article is reprinted from the June/July 2012 issue of Reading Today. IRA members can read the interactive digital version of the magazine here. Nonmembers: join today!