Literacy Now

September 16, 2013

by Annemarie Palincsar

“Close reading” has been hailed a means of teaching students how to comprehend complex text and it has been vilified for ignoring fundamental tenets of how we read and learn from text.  It has been lauded as a means of leveling the playing field for all readers and criticized for the risk of disaffecting students who are already disinclined to choose reading as a means of interacting with the world.

Prompted by the emphasis that the Common Core State Standards place on close reading, and struck by the debate that swirls around this topic, the IRA Literacy Research Panel approached LRP member Dr. Catherine Snow, Harvard Graduate School of Education, to prepare a policy brief that would inform educators, educational leaders, and policy makers about close reading.

This brief is now available in free online and PDF versions:

Close Reading and Far-Reaching Classroom Discussion: Fostering a Vital Connection

Dr. Snow and her co-author, Dr. Catherine O’Connor, School of Education, Boston University, clarify what close reading entails and compare it with the reading in which students might typically engage.  They address how teaching for close reading differs from more traditional instructional practice specific to comprehension. Perhaps most usefully, they offer four cautions regarding widespread reliance on close reading.   

Annemarie Palincsar, a member of the IRA Literacy Research Panel, is the Jean and Charles Walgreen Jr. Chair of Reading and Literacy and a teacher educator in Educational Studies at the University of Michigan, annemari@umich.edu.

In this message, IRA President Maureen McLaughlin and IRA Executive Director Marcie Craig Post remember their friend Maryann Manning, 2015 – 2016 President of the International Reading Association:

It is with the deepest sadness that we share with you, members of the International Reading Association community, news of the passing of our friend, fellow Board member, and 2015 – 2016 President of the International Reading Association, Maryann Manning. Maryann died on September 8, 2013 after participating in the Asian Literacy Conference in Bali, Indonesia.

Maryann loved the International Reading Association (IRA). She was a member of IRA since 1972, a committed teacher and teacher-educator, and a passionate advocate for literacy education and the teaching profession worldwide. Maryann was a soft-spoken person who had a keen wit and a boundless sense of caring.

Maryann was a member of IRA’s Board of Directors from 2006-2009 and received IRA’s special service award in 2005. A long time international volunteer for IRA, Maryann co-chaired two regional conferences and served on numerous IRA committees. She also served on the NCATE Board of Examiners and was a member of the NCATE Advisory Committee from 1985-1995.

During her career, Maryann took on many roles. She was a K-12 classroom teacher in Nebraska, an instructor at the University of Nebraska, an adjunct professor at Chugoku College, Japan, and a professor at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, where she organized a series of wonderfully memorable summer conferences.

Maryann authored and co-authored numerous books and book chapters including: Best Reading Book Ever (Scholastic), Subskills vs. Holistic (Erlbaum), Scientific Reading Assessment (Heinemann), Theme Immersion (Heinemann), Revisiting Silent Reading (IRA) chapter, and Examining DIBELS (Heinemann) chapter. She also wrote selected journal articles for The Reading Teacher, Research in Childhood Education, and Young Children.

Maryann’s dedication to IRA knew no bounds. As she explained it, “The Association is at the cutting edge in addressing educational issues.” Her interests in coming to board service included growing professional partnerships and extending IRA’s efforts as a global community. Most of all, she treasured the many colleagues and acquaintances who she came to meet through the IRA network. She was always proud to say, “The strength of IRA is its members, and I am a longtime member.”

Maryann’s personal generosity was notable to all who knew her. She infused her volunteer work with energy, compassion, earnestness, and friendship. She also endowed the IRA Maryann Manning Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, which is given annually to dedicated members who have made a lifelong commitment to a local, state or provincial council within North America or to a local or regional council, or international affiliate outside of North America.

As we mark her passing, let us remember Maryann’s personal sense of caring, her patient example, her dedication to the cause of literacy, and her beautiful, ever-present smile. 

Thank you, Maryann, for all of the gifts you gave us. IRA is the better for your having been in our midst. We love you. We will never forget you.

August 29, 2013

The International Reading Association adopted the “Invent Your Future” theme for the 2013 International Literacy Day celebration in conjunction with Sony Pictures Animation’s upcoming Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, which will be released in 3D and Real 3D on September 27. The goal is to inspire students to dream big about their future—just like inventor Flint Lockwood, the main character of the film—and illustrate the crucial role literacy skills play in achieving those dreams.

IRA and Sony Pictures Animation will host an “Invent Your Future”-themed Twitter chat on September 9 at 8:00 p.m. EST with special guest tweeter Bill Hader, a Saturday Night Live alum and comedian who voices Cloudy 2 protagonist Flint Lockwood. Participants may join using the hashtag #IRAchat.

To encourage educators and librarians to share the message that strong literacy skills pave the pathway to future success, IRA teamed up with Sony Pictures Animation to launch www.Cloudy2LiteracyActivities.com. The site features a downloadable activity kit with educational ideas that emphasize career readiness for students ages 5-19. 

Classroom teachers of K-12 students may submit stories, photos, and videos to IRA about how they celebrated this year’s International Literacy Day for a chance to win a new Sony Xperia tablet (retail value: $499). The contest is open from September 10-30, 2013, and the official registration form is available at /ILD13contest.

In addition, the first 150 teachers who fill out a registration form on the Sony Pictures site will receive a free copy of the original Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs book, by Judi Barrett and Ron Barrett, courtesy of Simon & Schuster. Teachers may also request Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 movie posters and activity books.

As a new school year begins, IRA helps you bolster your students’ career and college readiness by encouraging them to dream big. These “Invent Your Future” activities and contests are a fantastic way to start the year right!

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!

The International Reading Association has strong and growing affiliates in the Caribbean region, including three hosting conferences this fall.

The Bermuda Reading Association will host its annual conference on Sunday, September 7 at the Fairmont Southhampton Hotel in Southhampton. Featured speakers include International Reading Association (IRA) Board Member Rona Flippo presenting “Opportunities for Professional Membership: A Path to Professional Growth” and “Assessing Readers: Formative, Qualitative, and Meaningful Assessments for Classroom Teachers.” Flippo has taught public schools and is now a professor of Education at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Michele Dufresne, author of Word Solvers: Making Sense of Letters and Sounds and other texts, will present “Making It Easy to Learn” and “Maximizing Learning Opportunities” at the conference. Now a literacy staff developer for Pioneer Valley Books, Dufresne has been a classroom teacher, language arts specialist, and a consultant in school districts.

Literacy Consultant Pat Johnson will present “Catching Readers Before They Fall: Shifting Our Thinking to Better Support Readers Who Struggle” and “Supporting Classroom Teachers With Ongoing Assessment” in Bermuda. After a career spent in schools with diverse populations, Johnson provides staff development for school districts nationwide. She also is the author of One Child at a Time: Making the Most of Your Time With Struggling Readers, K-6.

The Bermuda Reading Association Conference will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the $50 registration tickets can be purchased from www.bdatix.com. The conference is eligible for Bermuda Educator’s Council (BEC) endorsed professional development hours. Click here to view the flyer.

In addition, the Caribbean community of literacy educators is planning a conference in Jamaica on November 7 and 8, and the Dominica Reading Association will hold their conference on December 11 to 13.

View more conference opportunities on IRA’s online calendar, or contact the IRA Global Operations Unit to ask about literacy projects around the globe.