"Content Area Literacy and the Common Core Standards: Using Performance Assessments and Studies of Student Work to Reach Ambitious New Standards"

This institute will help educators at all levels develop the curriculum and methods necessary to ensure that students reach the rigorous new standards for content area literacy embedded in the Common Core. Participants will learn a repertoire of skills for teaching readers to think and read analytically about nonfiction texts, including the skills of reading for central ideas, synthesizing, and comparing and contrasting. Participants will draft action plans aimed at revising curriculum in social studies (grades 3-8), science (grades K-2) and language arts.

The institute will focus not only on nonfiction reading, but also on nonfiction writing, with an emphasis on writing quick content area essays. Participants will learn ways to help students write fluently across the curriculum, using writing as a tool for analytical thinking.

The institute will help participants develop and use performance assessments to track students’ progress in some of the higher-level comprehension skills inherent in the CCSS. You will find that performance assessments can help you ramp up the level of comprehension and teach with concreteness and clarity. You will also delve into the implications for school leadership and curriculum development.

Participants will spend half of each day in a large group section. Primary large group sections will be led by Amanda Hartman and upper grade by Colleen Cruz. Participants will spend the other half of the day in small, interactive groups.

OTHER CRITERIA AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This institute is designed for people who have not attended a TCRWP content area institute. Attendance of the February Institute does not grant participants New York City P-Credit or graduate credit, nor guarantee advanced participant status at the summer institutes. (That is because this institute tackles content which is different from TCRWP’s usual!)

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT
The cost of this institute is $600.00. This cost does not include meals or housing. You will be notified by e-mail if your application is accepted. Your acceptance e-mail will provide a link for payment (credit card or PO only).

Lucy Calkins, Founding Director of the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project and of the Reading and Writing Project LLC, is the author of more than a score of books on the teaching of reading and writing, including the Units of Study books supporting K-2 and 3-5 writing and 3-5 reading. Her newest book, co-authored with Mary Ehrenworth and Chris Lehman, is Pathways to the Common Core.

Seymour Simon is the author of more than 250 highly acclaimed science books, many of which have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children by the National Science Teachers Association. He has been honored with many awards for his work, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Lifetime Achievement Award, the New York State Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature, and the Hope S. Dean Memorial Award.

Douglas Reeves is the founder of The Leadership and Learning Center. He has worked with education, business, nonprofit, and government organizations throughout the world. The author of more than 20 books and many articles on leadership and organizational effectiveness, Reeves was named the Brock International Laureate for his contributions to education. Reeves has been at the forefront of the effort to translate the CCSS into practice.

Matt de la Peña is the author of four novels, three of which—Ball Don’t Lie, Mexican WhiteBoy and We Were Here— were named ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Adults. Matt’s fourth novel, I Will Save You, was chosen as a finalist for the 2011 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award and his first picture book, A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis (2011), was named a New York Times Top Ten Best Illustrated for 2011.

Feedback from participants who attended last year's February Mini-Institute 2011...

"I always remember more from your institutes because of the practical small group sessions. I learned many strategies to model in classrooms" - Mary B.

"I will be able to live on what I learned this week for a very long time. The pacing and organization of the content was excellent!" - Meghan B.

"It was obvious how the larger and small group plans were connected. I have some very concrete things to bring back to Chicago!" - Ellen M.