So Many Books, So Little Time

50 New, Young Adult Novels from 2010/2011 and How to Use Them in Adolescent Classrooms

Professional Development Hours: 6

Workshop Rationale:

The most recent results from NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) show beyond doubt that students who do the most practice/recreational reading score highest on state and national assessments of reading. Motivating students to be lifelong, recreational readers is the key to success with fluent, middle level readers. And nothing is more motivating than connection with that unforgettable book. But how do teachers keep up with all the new titles being written and released each year and know which book will "hook" every child? Aidan Chambers wrote, "The success we have in helping children become readers will not depend so much on our technical skills, but the breadth and depth of our knowledge of the books we offer."

Workshop Description:

This 1-day workshop is designed to help teachers who want to offer motivating choices to their students in the books they read. 50 new books will be presented as well as ways to use them in integrating units, motivating reluctant readers, character education, content area instruction and encouraging engaged, recreational readers (which pays off at Benchmark testing time!) 25 of the books will be most appropriate for grades 5-8 while another 25 will be most appropriate for grades 9-12. Scholastic will have books on the list for purchase at a discounted price at the workshop along with other materials to support in using the books in your classroom.

Workshop Content:

Reading "hooks"

Content area appropriate books

Motivation

Research on Voluntary, Free Reading

Student empowerment through choice

50 new book titles

Intended Audience:

All teachers in grades 4 through 12 - Reading/English/LA and Content teachers.

Presenter:

Ken Stamatis, Assistant Professor, College of Education, Harding University, Director, Graduate Reading Programs