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Reading First

2008 PA Reading First Summer Institute

An Overview for Reading First Summer Institute Content

Our Reading First Summer Institute at the University of Pittsburgh/Johnstown will have a variety of components. The differentiated professional development opportunities will deepen participants’ understanding of areas necessary to increase student achievement in reading and spelling.


Much of the focus for this Institute will be on LETRS, Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling, a professional development opportunity developed by Dr. Louisa Moats. Participants will have an opportunity to learn the content of the modules from national presenters. Modules are scheduled so that participants may select modules according to their needs. Some participants will have already been trained in certain Modules of LETRS. Modules 1, 2, and 3 that will be presented at this Institute are revised modules. Individuals who have received training in these modules might choose them again because of the revisions.

Additional topics and learning will be delivered through mandatory mini sessions. Participants will select the sessions that meet individual needs.

Requirements for Attendance:

Participants need to sign up for a minimum of two (2) days of this institute. Since some individuals are attending to complete some requirements for LETRS trainings, some people will only need a few modules to complete their requirements.

All participants are invited to attend the entire institute.

All participants will sign up for all sessions at registration.

Primary Strands:

Because Teaching Reading IS a Challenge

Too often, teachers rely on the “guess-and-go” teaching strategy used by thousands of educators who enter classrooms every year, determined to help their students become better, more confident readers. The effectiveness of such an approach can be measured by stagnant national test scores and the number of schools that fail to meet even minimal progress goals.

Reading instructors need a deep structural knowledge of the language they’re teaching . . . knowledge proven to be at the heart of successful literacy instruction for all ability levels and grades.

Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS™)

LETRSis a professional development opportunity that provides reading coaches, specialists, and teachers with a comprehensive, practical, fad-free understanding of how their students learn to read and write, and spell—and how they can use this understanding to improve and focus instruction.

Various LETRSmodules, taught by nationally certified LETRStrainers, will be offered in each strand. 

Each module addresses different areas. Make your selection of a strand based upon your personal needs.

*For a description of each strand to be held at University of Pittsburgh/Johnstown, please click here.*

Note: Strands may not be split – for example, you cannot choose one module from strand one and another from one of the other strands. When signing up, choose the modules that will best meet your needs. All modules contain deep knowledge and opportunities for stretching thinking.

 

For more information use the below links for the session(s) you are interested in attending:

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

Dates: Monday, August 11, 2008 through Thursday, August 14, 2008

Please submit all questions to Maryanne Simons at 

Email: marsim@berksiu.org

Phone: (610) 987-8491

Fax: (610) 987-8497