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Inspiring Adolescent Readers: A Middle School Literacy Project

Inspiring Adolescent Readers: A Middle School Literacy Project. A Proposal to the Verizon Foundation. What is Adolescent Literacy?. “the set of skills and abilities that students need in grades four through 12 to read, write, and think about the text materials they encounter” 1

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Inspiring Adolescent Readers: A Middle School Literacy Project

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  1. Inspiring Adolescent Readers: A Middle School Literacy Project A Proposal to the Verizon Foundation

  2. What is Adolescent Literacy? “the set of skills and abilities that students need in grades four through 12 to read, write, and think about the text materials they encounter”1 1 “Reading to Achieve: A Governor’s Guide to Adolescent Literacy.” National Governor’s Association Center For Best Practices. 2005. 12 June 2007.

  3. Taking Stock: The Adolescent Literacy Challenge: • 40% of high school graduates lack appropriate literacy skills for work • 25 fastest growing professions have greater than average literacy demands1 • U.S. 11th graders placed near bottom of international comparison of reading assessment2 1“Adolescent Literacy.” (Fact Sheet). Alliance for Excellent Education. Feb 2006. 11 June 2007. <http://www.all4ed.org/publications/Reading Next/AdolescentLiteracyFactSheet.pdf>. 2 Kamil, Michael L. “Adolescents and Literacy: Readings for the 21st Century.” Allicance for Excellent Education. Nov. 2003. 13 June 2007. <http://www.all4ed.org/publications/AdolescentsAndLiteracy.pdf>.

  4. Adolescent Literacy Challenge:How Did We Get Here? • Loss of student interest in reading after 4th grade • Students must transition from learning to read to reading to learn • Middle & high school teachers lack training or feel responsibility to teach reading skills

  5. Adolescent Literacy Challenge:A 21st Century Necessity • 21st century society demands advanced reading, writing, and analysis skills • Economic concerns resulting from legions of undereducated workers = remedial costs and lower productivity • Literature is an essential tool for adolescent emotional, social, and cultural maturity

  6. Adolescent Literacy Challenge: Making A Difference At One School • Parents and educators at Randolph Middle School partner to celebrate reading and the benefits of lifelong literacy • Implement a school-wide literacy enrichment program that includes an academically rich, stimulating exploration into the work of a specific author

  7. Primary Objective Stimulate the reading motivation and engagement of students at Randolph Middle School

  8. Secondary Objectives • Involve multiple segments of the school and Randolph community in an effort to promote lifelong literacy • Encourage positive partnerships between adult stakeholders in the school community • Foster student peer relations in an academic environment • Provide students a successful, inspirational role model who demonstrates an enthusiastic commitment to lifelong literacy and the writing process • Encourage students to bring reading and writing outside the language arts classroom

  9. Project Specifications A Model For Meeting Objectives

  10. Project Specifications:Program Highlights • Multi-day author residency • All students encouraged, through incentives, to read multiple books by visiting author • Reading, writing, discussion, and multimedia activities focused on visiting author • 7th Grade writing workshops • Alignment with NJ Core Curriculum Standards

  11. Project Specifications:Implementation Schedule PhaseDuration One: Before the Author Residency 8 Months Two: Author Residency 3 Days Three: Post Residency 1 Month

  12. Project Specifications:Strategic Guidelines • Form a committee of key stakeholders • Ensure a connection between the author and school goals • Develop the program based on specific thematic structure • Motivate students to read author’s books ahead of time to ensure adequate preparation for visit • Carefully consider scheduling of residency and program activities • Conduct an evaluation and present recommendations for future programs

  13. Project Specifications:Author Selection Criteria • Both male and female characters represented • Stories explore thought provoking issues that impact today’s youth • Themes correlate with school character education program & will stimulate personal reflection and group discussion • Experienced in conducting school presentations and small group workshops • Enjoys engaging middle school students in discussion

  14. Project Specifications:Author Recommendation • Todd Strasser • Over 100 books and for teen and middle readers1 • Very experienced school speaker • Diverse themes including self-esteem, bullying, and prejudice 1 “Todd Strasser.com.” 20 June 2007. <http://www.toddstrasser.com>.

  15. Project Specifications:Programming Detail – All Students • Grade level assemblies with author • Reading incentive program • Opportunity for lunch with author • Opportunities for visual arts, web design, and journalism projects

  16. Project Specifications:Programming Detail – 7th Grade • Class reading requirement • Class discussion on theme • Write essays relating theme to personal experience • Group skits based on character analysis • Writing workshop with author (select students)

  17. Assessment:Did We Meet Our Objectives? • Student focus groups • Staff and project team online survey • Final report including recommendations for future programs

  18. The Project Team • Lisa Mercurio, RMS PTA President • Paula Some, RMS PTA Vice President • Mr. Lee Nittell, RMS Vice Principal • Mrs. Diane Auerbach, Guidance • Mrs. Edie Klink, Librarian • Language Arts Teacher (TBD) • Language Arts Teacher (TBD)

  19. Budget Total Project Cost: $6880 Includes: • Author honorarium & expenses • Books for classrooms and library • Assessment • Faculty/author reception • Rewards for reading incentive program • Materials for visual displays by students

  20. Project Time Line:One Academic Year DateMilestone September 1, 2007 Assemble project team September 10, 2007 Finalize program components October 1, 2007 Formalize author visit with contract October 15, 2007 Kick-off program at RMS October 15, 2007 – Phase one programming May 1, 2008 May 2008 Phase two – author residency June 2008 Phase three – complete assessment

  21. Summary • Implementing a comprehensive school-wide literacy project that includes participatory activities and an author residency will increase adolescent reading motivation and engagement • Students will gain an appreciation for literature outside the classroom • All stakeholders will benefit from the partnerships created during this community building experience

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