Over 400 teachers from across the province will have their eyes in the books this summer as they gather to learn innovative ways to teach children to understand what they read. The two-day institute, provided by the department of Education and Early Childhood Development, will explore proven methods to help all students become successful readers of both fiction and nonfiction.
Literacy expert, Tony Stead will facilitate the summer workshop. He is the author of the new grade one and grade two language arts resources being used in Island schools. Stead is an Australian educator who has taught in elementary schools and lectured at the University of Melbourne. He is the author of many publications including Is That a Fact?; Teaching Nonfiction Writing and Reality Checks; Teaching Reading Comprehension With Nonfiction. He currently works extensively in literacy education with school districts across the United States, Canada and Australia.
“Teachers are asking for literacy training based on current, evidence-based research,” says Sheila Barnes, Chair of the Summer Institute organizing team.
“This is an opportunity, locally, to engage in professional development with a renowned educator in the company of their colleagues,” she said.
The primary focus this year is on reading comprehension with nonfiction. Literacy in nonfiction includes essential skills including following instructions, understanding technical information, and reading daily-living material such as maps, manuals, menus and brochures.
This Summer Institute has attracted kindergarten educators, Grade 1-6 classroom teachers, resource teachers, administrators, staff developers, pre-service teachers and other literacy educators.
The workshops are slated for August 18 and 19 at the Delta Prince Edward.