High School Literature Linked to Student Learning

The purpose of the group:
1.  study literature trends in titles not approved and also recently published titles
2.  have volunteer students review and discuss books
3.  teachers in our group read and discuss teaching possibilities
4.  seek approval from the board on new titles as one component of the group

R. Zisa, A. Wein, B. Autrey, C. Ottalagono, K. Sherwin, D. Geurin, D. Benner

Our group set forth with the task of broadening our literature offerings at the high school, with the understanding that offering a current, rich and diverse curriculum on literature would enhance student learning, student interest and ability to read different texts, and meet the needs of a changing population. 

 

We investigated multiple possibilities for new and different literature, pursuing some, placing some on hold and abandoning some.

 

We also had lively discussions of the literature.

 

We asked students for input via informal surveys on what they read for their free choice reading.

 

We searched for and found published research to justify our pursuit.

 

We would like to continue with this study group next year.

 

Improving High School Reading Comprehension

The purpose of this group is to discuss and develop strategies that support services staff can use to increase student reading comprehension across different curricular disciplines.  We will be discussing two different groups of students- students who are relatively skilled decoders who have difficulty extracting information from text and students who are poor decoders who can’t read most of the texts used in high school classrooms.  We will be looking at the work of Kelly Gallagher, Joan Sedita and others to help us come up with strategies that we can implement when working with students.  We will also be looking for easier to read materials that allow our weaker students to continue practicing their reading skills, while learning through text.

L. Nissenbaum, C. Claus, J. Ouckama, K. Dayton, J. Larkin, J. Gilbert, C. Gallagher, S. LaFond, M. Martin, C. Charbonneau, J. Hehir, Z. Ocasio, K. Rybij, K. Birch, S. Baldwin

Connecting across multiple disciplines was a definite accomplishment that enhanced the professional development of all members. The discussions that occurred were deemed helpful and purposeful. Several Key 3 Routine methods were utilized and implemented in the classroom. Students benefited from mini-lessons designed around identifying main ideas, categorizing, note-taking and summarizing. Supplemental materials to serve content area teachers were researched. Professionals came together around the Kelly Gallagher videos to broaden awareness and expand upon ways in which to utilize reading in the classroom. Word activities (Take Two and Word Doctor) were learned and shared with students and colleagues.

 

Many are interested in pursuing Reading across the Curriculum further in one way or another. The frequency of meeting time seemed the largest deterrent to our meeting greater success. Many found this study group to be a worthwhile pursuit, but it was not determined whether members would continue with this particular course of study or branch out to another.