Literacy Now

I was thrilled to discover that the 18th European Reading Conference was going to be hosted by the Swedish Council of the International Reading Association (IRA) and held in Jonkoping, Sweden. Visiting Sweden and learning more about how the world reads were two items on my must do list. As an added bonus, members of IRA’s Diversity Learning Committee, Wendy C. Kasten, Diana Sisson and I, presented on “Diversity in United States Teacher Education Programs in Literacy and Reading: A Nationwide Investigative Study” (Kasten, Sharma & Sisson, 2013).

Sisson, Kasten, and Sharma


Boat Tour


Sue Ann Sharma

In between fulfilling these aspirations, the conference itinerary included superb keynotes, new report findings, and rich conversations. Here are some impressions for anyone considering participating in an IRA affiliated conference in a distant country.

Exploring Jönköping

Jönköping is Sweden’s 9th most populated city. It is known for it matchstick industry 1845-1970 and home to ABBA’s group member, Agnetha Faltskog. When arriving via a three-hour train ride from Stockholm, the city can be spotted nestled against Lake Vättern, Sweden’s 2nd largest lake. The Sommarstället Munksjön’s boat ride is a must. Waiting to be explored are the many different shops from antique to hip. Taste an array of ethnic cuisine among the city’s 85 restaurants. The cuisine is indicative of the diversity in this university town, which has attracted 1500 students from over 65 countries. The food and people of Jönköping will capture your heart.

How the World Reads: New Challenges, New Literacies, Global Context

Mirroring the international students that attend Jönköping University, teachers and teacher educators from around the world gathered together to learn and have grand conversations about contextual issues related to 21st Century literacy practices. My fingers couldn’t keep up as I tried to capture every word of the variety of literacy aspects being addressed during the plenary sessions. Here’s a glimpse at both European and American context.

European Context

Insights gleaned from Digital Futures: Learning and Teaching Literacy in the Digital Age affirmed for me that teachers worldwide are meeting the challenges of new media literacies in many different ways. During this lecture, Jackie Marsh, from the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom, shared some unique ways in which children use virtual worlds. Examples included children selecting a bedtime story from QR codes on pajamas and the blurring of online/offline classroom investigations in which children retrieve information from QR codes placed on trees.

American Context

While sharing results from several online research projects, Donald Leu, from University of Connecticut, United States, helped us contextualize the social practices of literacy in a digital age using the dual level theory of new literacies (Leu, Kinzer, Coiro, Castel, & Henry, 2013). The dual level theory of new literacies focuses on trends and patterns emerging from “Upper Case New Literacies,” based on common findings from localized and domain-specific “lower case new literacies” such as social interactions occurring with text messaging. The Digital Futures in Teacher Education Project and Online Research and Comprehension Assessment (ORAC) projects promote new insights in both theory and practices that prepare teachers and students for the future.

Creating Opportunities for International Collaboration

Literacy topics across nine strands framed the parallel sessions and verified for me common literacy challenges being addressed worldwide including “The Third Progress in International Literacy Study (PIRLS)” report which revealed information on international trends in reading achievement in fourth graders from 49 countries. In response to the adolescent reading difficulties made evident by the PISA studies, an international team formed to address the lack of reading instruction across the curriculum. This collaboration resulted in the European Comenius Project: “BaCuLIt” – Basic Curriculum for Teachers’ In-Service Training in Content Area Literacy in Secondary Schools.

International Teacher Educator Exchange

As Americans, we know our classrooms are becoming increasingly more diverse. However, I can now testify from the discussion with teacher educators from around the world, that this is the case worldwide. Ultimately, this conference heightened my curiosity about addressing the complexities teachers face when meeting the diverse needs of learners globally.

Final Thoughts

I loved the learning that took place during breaks and lunch. These informal interludes held their own charm. They provided time for thoughtful dialogue concerning teacher educational programs around the world while sipping tea with colleagues from countries such as Australia, Turkey, and Russia.

The European Reading Conference was an incredible experience.  I discovered    many admirable literacy practices.   Mark your calendar for the 19th European Reading Conference.  In 2015 this biennial will be held in Klagenfurt, Austria.

References

Leu, D. J. (2013, August). New literacies of online research and comprehension: Reading with a lens to the future as well as a lens to the past. Paper presented at the 18th European Reading Conference. Jönköping, Sweden. Retrieved from. http://www.slideshare.net/djleu/18th-european-conference-on-reading-scira-25083475.

Leu, D. J. (2013, August). Online reading comprehension assessment. Paper presented at the 18th European Reading Conference. Jönköping, Sweden. Retrieved from. http://www.orca.uconn.edu/

Marsh, J. (2013, August). Digital futures: learning and teaching literacy in a digital age. Paper presented at the 18th European Reading Conference. Jönköping, Sweden. Retrieved from. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/ed1jam/ecor-marsh

Marsh, J. (2013, August). Digital futures in teacher education.  Paper presented at the 18th European Reading Conference. Jönköping, Sweden. Retrieved from http://www.digitalfutures.org/.
Institute for German Language and Literature II, University of Cologne, Germany (2013). BaCuLit. Retrieved from http://www.alinet.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=50

International Development in European Committee of the International Reading Association (2013). 19th European Reading Conference. Retrieved from http://www.literacyeurope.org/meetings-conferences/european-conferences/

International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), 2011. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pirls/pirls2011.asp

Kasten, W. C., Sharma, S. A., Sisson, D. (2013, August). Diversity in United States teacher education programs in literacy and reading: A nationwide investigative study. Paper presented at the 18th European Reading Conference. Jönköping, Sweden.

Leu, D. J., Kinzer, C.K., Coiro, J., Castek, J., Henry, L.A. (2013). New literacies: A dual level theory of the changing nature of literacy, instruction, and assessment. In N. Unrau & D. Alvermann (Ed.s), Theoretical models and processes of reading (6th ed., pp. 1150-1181). Newark, DE: International Reading Association.

Sue Ann Sharma is a visiting assistant professor at Oakland University in Michigan, dr.sueann@gmail.com.

This article is an addendum to an article from the October/November 2013 issue of Reading Today. IRA members can read the interactive digital version of the magazine here. Nonmembers: join today!

Albury Sayle Primary School in Nassau, The Bahamas, celebrated International Literacy Day with a parade of students, read-alouds, and a “Foodimals Festival” to coordinate with IRA’s “Invent Your Future” theme in conjunction with Sony Pictures Animation’s film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.

Students of Grade 3 display their posters before leaving the school campus for the community walk.

Grade 5 students displaying their posters during the community walk.

A Grade 2 and Grade 6 student read to the children of the Willard Paton Pre-school. Also present are the District Education Officer Mr. Lightbourne and our school’s principal, Mrs. Katherine Rose. In the background, is a supportive parent Officer Davis. 

Miss Belizaire, a Grade 4 teacher, reads to students during the “Reading in the Park” community outreach program.

The school’s Principal, Mrs. Katherine Rose, reads Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs to the Grades 4–6 students.

Officer Ware, from the South Street Police Station opposite our school campus, volunteered to read to our Grade 4 students during the Volunteer reading sessions.

Foodimals, (that won the Foodimals Festival), on display in the campus foyer, outside of the main office. The winners from each grade level were presented with free movie passes to see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.

Loreen Patrick is from the Albury Sayle Primary School in Nassau, The Bahamas.

On Saturday, October 12, Dr. Jack Cassidy, received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Literacy Education at the annual conference of the Texas Association for Literacy Education (TALE). Also, the TALE Board voted to name the award in his honor. The award will now be called the “Jack Cassidy Lifetime Achievement in Literacy Education Award.”

Cassidy was one of the founders and the first President of TALE in 2011-2012. Texas is the second largest state in land area, and coincidentally Cassidy is one of the founders and first elected President of the Diamond State Reading Association (DSRA) in Delaware, the nation’s second smallest state in land area.

In the almost forty years between his first and second state presidencies, Cassidy was elected president of the International Reading Association and the Association for Literacy Education and Research (ALER - formerly the College Reading Association). In 1994, he received the IRA Special Service Award, which is given, from time to time, for unusual and distinguished service to the International Reading Association recognizing admirable service to the organization in some specific capacity or capacities, requiring special skills, knowledge, and creative effort. In 2007, ALER gave him the A.B. Herr Award for distinguished service in reading. It recognizes a professional educator who has made outstanding contributions to the field of reading. In 2010, Cassidy was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame, considered one of the most prestigious awards granted to those in literacy education.

Cassidy has over 100 national publications including over 50 nationally refereed journal articles, books, and book chapters. In addition, he has been an author, editor  or consultant on over a dozen series of texts and materials for children and youth. For 18 years, with various co-authors, he has written a column, “What’s Hot What’s Not in Literacy." The most recent column appears in the August/September 2013 issue of Reading Today. Longer discussions of literacy trends and issues (also with various co-authors) appear in a number of refereed journals, the most recent of which is the September 2013 issue of the Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy (“What Was Hot–and Not–in Literacy: What We Can Learn”). He has worked as a consultant for Educational Testing Service and was part of the Verbal Advisory Panel for the Scholastic Aptitude Test. In addition to hundreds of presentations in the United States, Cassidy has also presented papers in Australia (two times), Belgium, Canada (five times), Czech Republic, Croatia, France, Hungary (two times), Ireland (three times), New Zealand (two times), Philippines (two times), Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

In 2011, Cassidy retired as associate dean in the College of Education at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He is also Professor Emeritus at Millersville University (PA). Cassidy has a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in reading from Temple University in Philadelphia.

The City of Sta. Rosa in Laguna, Philippines, celebrated International Literacy Day (ILD) on September 9 with Book Characters on Parade, a Slogan Contest, and Reader’s Theater. The event was highlighted by Honorable Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas reading to over 150 children in the People's Hall of the City of Sta. Rosa. The pages of the children's books she read were projected on a screen so that all attendees could read along. The Mayor also raffled off 20 bicycles to highlight one of the books she read in Filipino, “Ang Bisikleta ni Monmon.”

The Mayor has sustained her support for this annual literacy event in the city for the past seven years. The reading with the Mayor has always ended with each child having a book in his/her hand. Her advocacy models a significant adult in the community who values love for books and reading.

This activity is very much in line with the 2013 ILD theme adopted by International Reading Association, “Invent Your Future,” which was celebrated throughout the month of September. 

The City of Sta. Rosa’s ILD celebration was participated in by both public and private schools elementary pupils, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, government and non-government officials, the Dep. Ed. City Division, the Private Schools Administrators Association, Rotary Clubs of Sta. Rosa, the Reading Association of the Philippines, and parents. The President of International Reading Association, Dr. Maureen McLaughlin sent her greetings and message to the city stakeholders in education for all the things that they do to spread the good news of literacy and helping the children invent their future!

Furthermore the Reading Association of the Philippines under the leadership of the President, Melissa Orencia, a partner of the City in this yearly event, has scheduled a Kwentuhan sa Daycare and a Training of Daycare teachers before the end of
September. Likewise, Adarna House will donate books for the children who will participate in the kwentuhan.

For more information about the Reading Association of the Philippines (RAP), visit http://rap.org.ph.

Sally (Rizalina) Labanda is a Past President of the Reading Association of the Philippines (RAP) and a former International Reading Association board member.

The New Mexico Reading Association (NMIRA) is a professional organization of literacy professionals who volunteer their time and efforts to promote literacy. The organization provides current news about literacy, leadership, professional development, and many great services to students and communities around the state.

New Mexico Journal of Reading

The New Mexico Journal of Reading provides not only information about the professional organization, but engaging articles relating to literacy and the teaching profession. Dr. Jose Montelongo and his wife, Dr. Anita Hernandez, the journal’s new co-editors, are both literacy professionals who inspire others through their passion for learning and teaching.

Dr. Montelongo is currently working as a librarian at an elementary school library in Canantuillo, TX. Dr. Anita Hernandez, a published Heinemann author, is a professor of bilingual education for pre-service teachers at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM where she and her husband currently reside.

The journal is mailed out to members of the New Mexico State Reading Association as well as subscribing members in New Mexico and surrounding states. Literacy professionals are encouraged to submit articles for review and publication.

Leadership

Every summer, NMIRA provides a Leadership Workshop for its members. Last July, we met at Hotel Encanto in Las Cruces, NM. The topic was, “Why? Why are we committed to NMIRA and promoting literacy?” The inspiration for this workshop was the book by Simon Sinek, Start With Why. Sinek introduced the book this past year at the International Reading Association Annual Convention in Chicago. The workshop was a powerful experience that allowed us to reassess and recommit to important professional goals as literacy educators.

Our guest speaker, Dr. Toni Hull, an instructional leader and member of a Washington Fellowship, also addressed the topic. She continued with the theme of asking why and then presented several strategies to build upon why we are members of NMIRA and where we want to go in our future efforts. The summer leadership workshop brought us closer as an organization and strengthened our commitment as advocates for literacy promotion.

The International Literacy Project

Twice every year the International Literacy Project Committee collects donations and supplies for the small town of Palomas, Mexico. The town sits just across the United States border. Although the students in Palomas live in poverty, they are fortunate enough to have one elementary school, a middle school, and high school. These schools appreciate the donations of paper, pencils, crayons, scissors, and general cleaning supplies that NMIRA is able to provide.

Nancy Bellegamba, Ginger Berry, Estrella Becerra, and Carlos and Virginia Cuellar are the leaders of the International Project Committee and travel to Palomas each Labor Day and Memorial Day. Over the past few years, this has been a dangerous effort because of the violence that has been occurring in Palomas and along the entire United States and Mexican border.

Land of Enchantment

Land of Enchantment is a committee that serves schools across the state of New Mexico. We have partnered with the New Mexico Librarian’s Association to share this committee. It provides book lists to students who read the reviewed books and vote on their favorites to win the Land of Enchantment Award. The author is recognized and awarded at the state conference.

NMIRA is a strong organization of dedicated professionals who truly care about the promotion of literacy. We hope to continue to provide professional development for teachers and also support parents and community members in their endeavors to promote literacy for all.

Kristy Hays is a teacher at Deming High School in Deming, NM, and is president of NMIRA, kristy.hays@demingps.org.

Added note: The 2014 NMIRA conference will be held January 31-February 1 in Albuquerque.

This article is was published in the December 2012/January 2013 issue of Reading Today. IRA members can read the interactive digital version of the magazine here. Nonmembers: join today!