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Maine ASCD News

Vol. 7, No 2 ~ Spring 2008

Spring Conference Cancelled

We regret that the May 8th conference with Pam Robbins has been cancelled. If you were registered for this event and have not already received an e-mail from us, please contact John Brandt at info@maineascd.org

New Moodle Course Offered - "What the Heck is a Professional Learning Community (PLC) Anyway?"

Maine ASCD is pleased to announce that a new Moodle course will be offered beginning April 21, 2008. Entitled "What the Heck is a PLC Anyway," the course will be offered by Kyle Rhoads, principal of the Acton Elementary School.

The on-line course which will mix readings, on-line discussion groups and listserv activities all provided through the Maine ASCD Moodle board, will begin on or about April 21st and run until late August. Several “breaks” will be built into the course. Participants can expect that the course content will require approximately 30 hours of contact time including readings. Participants completing the course will be awarded a certificate of completion for 30 hours.

A complete course description may be found on our website along with a bio for Dr. Rhoads.

Discounts for Maine ASCD members and teams will be provided.

For more information and to register, please visit the Maine ASCD website.

Journal of Maine Education Published

The 2008 volume of the Journal of Maine Education is has been published this month and being mailed to all members in good standing. The issue whose theme is Challenges and Opportunities of Technology's Role in Schools is both timely and comprehensive. Articles range from discussions of student writing to how to maximize learning in a digital age.

The 2009 volume of the Journal will be the 25th Anniversary issue and has adopted a unique Call for Papers. Themed, "Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?" the 25th edition should prove to be a classic. Read the Call for Papers - Deadline is August 1st.

School-Wide Literacy

by Peter Lancia

Peter Lancia

Peter Lancia, principal of the Congin School in Westbook, will be our featured speaker at our first fall event on October 9th in Freeport. In this brief article, Peter gives his thoughts about some of the issues in creating a successful school-wide literacy program.

A successful school-wide literacy program is dependent upon a strong relationship between the school principal and the school literacy specialist. Both share the responsibility for maintaining the school's vision for literacy. They must have a solid understanding of literacy theory and practice, assessment tools, and instructional frameworks. Both need to acknowledge the current state of literacy instruction in the school and collaboratively plan to provide professional learning that will enhance it.

Here are a list of books I recommend on this topic:

Top Books Every Literacy Specialist Should Read

  1. Schools that Work by Richard Allington
  2. Learning Along the Way by Diane Sweeney
  3. The Literacy Coach by Elizabeth Sturtevant
  4. Reading Specialists and Literacy Coaches in the Real World by Cynthia Vogt
  5. The Reading Specialist by Rita Bean
  6. Becoming a Literacy Leader by Jennifer Allen
  7. Systems for Change by Carol Lyons and Gay Su Pinnell
  8. Leading Successful Reading Programs by Nancy DeVries Guth and Stephanie Stephens Pettengill
  9. The Reading Zone by Nancie Atwell
  10. Literacy Coaching: The Essential by Katherine Casey, Anthony J. Alvarado

Top Books Every Principal Should Read About Literacy

  1. The Literacy Principal by David Booth
  2. Schools that Work by Richard Allington and Patricia Cunningham
  3. Classrooms that Work by Patricia Cunningham and Richard Allington
  4. What Really Matters to Struggling Readers by Richard Allington
  5. Reading Essentials by Regie Routman
  6. Writing Essentials by Regie Routman
  7. The Reading Zone by Nancie Atwell
  8. The Administration and Supervision of Reading Programs by Shelley Wepner et al.
  9. Becoming a Literacy Leader by Jennifer Allen
  10. International Reading Association / National Council of Teachers of English - Position Statements on Reading Specialists and Reading Coaches

The Maine ASCD Blog will be featuring "books you should read" - a list of the top ten books every Maine educators should read, as recommended by several of our Board members. Read Carol Marcotte's top ten list on books for Assistant Superintendents and Curriculum Coordinators.

 

If you or your organization are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Exective Director John Brandt