Athens, Ga. – Two workshops for area educators-one focusing on effective teaching methods to reach students from poor and working-class families and the other on high-quality reading instruction and literacy contexts for all children-will be hosted by the University of Georgia College of Education May 2-3 at the UGA Gwinnett Campus in Lawrenceville.
“The Other Side of Poverty in Schools,” an intensive, one-day workshop on will be held May 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is designed for teachers, administrators, counselors and teacher educators and will focus on developing research-based teaching practices, reflecting on formative assessment across the curriculum, incorporating social class-related content and formulating ideas for establishing positive relationships with working-class and poor families.
Workshop participants will:
• Learn about the five principles for change to better meet the needs of working-class and poor students;
• Develop research-based teaching practices sensitive to working-class and poor children and families;
• Reflect on formative assessment of working-class and poor students across the curriculum;
• Receive classroom ideas for incorporating social class-related content; and
• Learn about establishing positive relationships with working-class and poor families.
“The Reading Turn-Around Program,” a one-day workshop will be held May 3 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. It is designed for teachers in elementary grades, instructional coaches, literacy coaches, administrators, after-school specialists, tutors and administrators who want to provide the highest-quality reading instruction and literacy contexts for all children.
Workshop participants will:
• Learn about the social class-sensitive, five-part framework for differentiated instruction in reading;
• Examine how social class and poverty play a role in reading and language in the classroom;
• Analyze social class and poverty in popular culture, media, and literature through critical reading practices;
• Design learning opportunities around working-class children’s literature;
• Create a concrete plan for individualizing reading instruction for struggling readers and enhancing literacy for all students.
The workshops are part of the Classroom Project @ UGA initiative developed by UGA faculty member Stephanie Jones, an associate professor in the College of Education’s department of elementary and social studies education, and former UGA faculty member Mark Vagle, now a professor in elementary education at the University of Minnesota.
Jones is a researcher, professional developer, education consultant and former elementary school teacher. She is the author of the book, “Girls, Social Class and Literacy: What Teachers Can Do to Make a Difference” and co-author of “The Reading Turn-Around: A Five-Part Framework for Differentiated Instruction.”
Vagle, also a researcher, is a former elementary and middle school teacher and administrator. He is co-editor of the book, “Developmentalism in Early Childhood and Middle Grades Education: Critical Conservations on Readiness and Responsiveness.” His research focuses on moment-to-moment classroom interactions and how they influence and impact student learning.
The cost for “The Other Side of Poverty in Schools” is $125, which includes workshop materials. The cost for “The Reading Turn-Around” is $150 which includes instructional materials and a copy of the book, “The Reading Turn-Around: A Five-Part Framework for Differentiated Instruction.” Registration deadline for both events is April 29.
For more information on these and other workshops, see www.coe.uga.edu/events.