Literacy & Learning Conference on the CCSS
Posted on April 5, 2012
ESBOCES sponsors a conference on the new uniform national school curriculum called CCSS.
Literacy and learning is about children learning to read, write, and calculate, not just doing simple reading, writing, and arithmetic. The new and rigorous Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in instruction methodology involves developing young analytic minds through investigation, evaluation, thinking through and reasoning out. Eastern Suffolk BOCES sponsored the 22nd annual, two-day Literacy & Learning Institute at East Wind Caterers in Wading River, which drew 170 teachers and administrators. The goal was to broaden and embrace the best literacy practices in this time of higher thinking and learning.
Friday guest speaker and author Joy Hakim, a winner of the 2008 Benjamin Franklin Award for Education/Teaching/Academic, discussed history and science as subjects that are used to teach sophisticated reading skills and high level thinking in all grades, resulting in students being better prepared for careers. Designed to ensure that students graduate prepared for college and global competition, the CCSS curriculum is a product of the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. Forty-five states have signed on.
Saturday keynote speaker Ellin Oliver Keene, an author of several books including “Comprehension Going Forward” and “Assessing Comprehension Thinking Strategies,” discussed the need for students to understand completely what they read and learn. The CCSS’s uniform educational curriculum focuses on comprehension and problem solving. “Good reading is comprehension,” Ms. Keene said, “and instruction is essentially comprehension assessment. Which leads to the question, ‘Does the way we’ve done it all along last? Do students retain and reapply that knowledge in six days, six weeks, or six months’?”
David Gamberg (above)
Conference breakout workshops concentrated on high quality comprehension strategies with facilitators Victor Jaccarino on Best Practices and the Common Core;" David Gamberg, Southold Superintendent of Schools, on "Common Core, Common Sense;" and Ms. Keene on "Fostering Deeper Understanding with Student Discourse."
Ellin Oliver Keene (above)
Organized by ESBOCES Education and Information Support Services, the event “met all our expectations,” reported Administrative Coordinator for Professional Development Kate Davern. “The intent was that Long Island teachers would find this institute to be valuable, timely, and assistive in growing their professional knowledge on best literacy practices in a time of Common Core State Standards.”
Guest lecturer Victor Jaccarino (above) urged his workshop participants to discover the evidence. “‘Where’s the evidence’ should be your mantra,” he said. “You have your opinion as I have mine, but where is the evidence: where is it stated in the text?”
Based on the feedback from the anonymous evaluation forms participants filled out, the conference hit its mark. One colleague said, “There was an abundant amount of information and the presenter was approachable and a true professional.” Another reported, “The institute was well paced, in a great venue, relaxing, and full of worthwhile and valuable presentations.”
During a break, participants browsed vendors' displays (above).
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