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NCRA Newsletter CHARTERED BY THE INTERNATIONAL READING ASSOCIATION VOL.XXXXIV, NO. 1 North Carolina Reading Association Summer 2012 President’s Message After working nearly 30 years with NCRA, I am proud to serve as its president for the coming year. NCRA’s primary goals for the coming year will be building networks, strengthening communication, and celebrating the contributions of local councils. Wouldn’t you know? A local reading council officer introduced me to the Common Core State Standards and David Coleman, a contributing author to the standards. His call for students to “read like a detective and write like an investigative 2011-12 President Mary Jo Floyd (R)passes the gavel to 2012-13 NCRA President Sandra Cook (L). reporter” inspired the 2013 NCRA conference theme, “Investigate that Story,” and drives efforts at the conference and through other projects to support teachers in their ongoing efforts to help students meet new standards and grow their passion for reading and reflection. The conference will address key elements of the common core: close reading, word study, evidence-based conclusions, text complexity, and research projects that build scaffolds for digging deeper. Prose, poetry, and storytelling ---fiction and informational text –serve learners. All genres prompt inquisitive readers to read and analyze content and think critically and creatively, addressing the levels of reasoning outlined in Bloom’s revised taxonomy. A healthy balance of genres and lots of mental exercise build learners who are successful across all disciplines and grade levels. A well-rounded learner will also feel competent, confident, and ready to take on leadership roles in collaborative work , a vital 21st century skill. The Young Authors project speaks of another truth, that learning and playing are bound together. Through local councils and at the state level, the topic, “Play that Game,” provides students the opportunity to write about games that matter to them, in different genres and for a wide audience. In homes and classrooms, with classmates, family members, and friends, students and teachers practice mental and physical skills, strengthening their minds and bodies. Thinking and doing… I invite you to learn more about the North Carolina Reading Association and the work that members do. And, what’s more, I invite you to join us. Sandra Cook, NCRA President North Carolina Reading Association Page 2 / Summer 2012 NCRA Newsletter A Word from Past President Mary Jo Floyd The 2011-2012 North Carolina Reading Association theme “From the Mountains to the Sea: Exploring North Carolina's Literary Treasures” was also a very apt description of my year as NCRA president. Visits to a few nearby councils soon ballooned into a statewide quest. Would it be possible to visit all the reading councils in North Carolina? My travels took me hundreds of miles from Franklin to Pine Knoll Shores, West Jefferson to Wilmington, and Reidsville to Monroe with many stops in between. I made many new friends and found that the members of NCRA are the organization's greatest treasure. It was a special year in which we welcomed a new council (Great Smokies in Asheville), held our 2011 leadership training in Boone, collected books for schools damaged by tornadoes, honored our student and adult writers at a huge Young Authors celebration, and conducted another top-notch state conference in Raleigh. Thanks to everyone involved in NCRA. I do need to say a special thank you to my principal and media assistant at Fuquay-Varina Middle School. I could not have visited councils without their help and support. Also, my husband, daughter, and son were just a phone call away when I needed further directions and assistance. All my visits reminded me how outstanding NCRA local council meetings are. Here are some of the wonderful programs and events where I learned so much this year: * Kickoff meeting with summary of council projects (Harnett County) *Author presentations by Carol Crane, Cindi Rigsbee, Tameka Fryer Brown, and Bonnie Christensen (Moore County, Triangle, Charlotte and Raleigh-Wake respectively) * Middle school book groups (Rockingham County) * Council member presentations (Greater Greensboro, Lee County, Great Smokies, Winston-Salem/Forsyth, Robeson County) * NC Book Award nominees (Winston-Salem/Forsyth, Alexander County, Duplin County) * Celebration of past presidents and council history (Lee County) * Sharing favorite holiday books and treats (Union-Monroe) * Wizard of Oz performance (Western Mountains) * Newspapers In Education (Greater Cleveland, Triangle, Raleigh-Wake) * Young Authors celebrations (Blue Ridge, Triangle) * Area museums/aquarium (Wilson County, Crystal Coast) * Scholastic workshops (Onslow-Lejeune, Twin Rivers with Crystal Coast) * American Reading Co. (Rocky Mount-Nash) * Technology Programs (Tar River - Wikis, New Hanover County - TRC and DIBELS) * Programs by reading professionals (Price - Dr. Carla Meyer, Raleigh-Wake-Dr. Lois Huffman) * Literacy strategies for ESL students (Sampson County) * Reading events - (Onslow-Lejeune - Seuss at the Mall, Twin Rivers - Reading Fun Day, Sampson County - Read Out); Reading Mini-Conference (Greater Cabarrus) Thanks again to my NCRA friends across the state. Let's “Investigate that Story” and celebrate 2012-2013 by encouraging students, teachers and reading professionals to become members of the North Carolina Reading Association. The following is a list of authors and illustrators with ties to North Carolina - compiled by past president Mary Jo Floyd. Some live here now, others grew up here or have family roots here. Since this is an incomplete list, please send your suggestions and updates to [email protected]. Many of these authors and illustrators can be found on the following two websites: Writers and Illustrators of North Carolina - http://www.wincbooks.com/index.htm and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - http://www.scbwicarolinas.org/. The UNC-Chapel Hill Library has a listing of novels set in North Carolina which includes many children and young adult authors from our state, http://www.lib.unc.edu/blogs/ncnovels/index.php/authors-2/. Check out the Literary Map of North Carolina and see how many authors are from your county. Also, the Roads Scholars program of the NC Humanities Council includes many adult authors that may be of interest to local reading councils. These speakers are free of charge. Check out this extensive listing at http://nchumanities.org/programs/road-scholars. Other websites of interest are the NC Writers' Network, http://www.ncwriters.org/ and the NC Literary Hall of Fame, http://www.weymouthcenter.org/nc-literary-hall-of-fame/. Don't forget that your local independent bookstore can be your best resource and link to local authors. Many communities have writers' support groups offering workshops, contests, critiques and other writing activities. Book and literary festivals are wonderful opportunities to meet writers and illustrators from our state. North Carolina Reading Association Bemis, John Claude - http://johnclaudebemis.com/ [email protected] Brantley-Newton, Vanessa http://oohlaladesignstudio.blogspot.com/ [email protected] Brown, Tameka Fryer - http://www.tamekafryerbrown.com/ Card, Orson Scott Card (Greensboro) http://www.hatrack.com/ Carmichael, Clay (Carrboro) http://oohlaladesignstudio.blogspot.com/ [email protected] Carris, Joan - http://www.joancarrisbooks.com/ Christensen, Bonnie (Wilson) http://www.bonniechristensen.com/ [email protected] Crane, Carol (Holly Springs) http://www.carolcrane.org/ [email protected] Dessen, Sarah (Chapel Hill) http://sarahdessen.com/ Dowell, Frances O'Roark (Durham) http://www.francesdowell.com/ [email protected] Dubowski, Cathy East [email protected] Ebel, Julia Taylor (Jamestown) http://www.juliaebel.com/ Flood, Pansie Hart (Greenville) [email protected] Gill, David Macinnis (Wilmington) http://davidmacinnisgill.com/ Gratz, Alan (Penland) - http://alangratz.blogspot.com/ [email protected] Gray, Luli http://www.wincbooks.com/luligray.htm ; 250 South Estes Drive Chapel Hill NC 27512 Greene, Stephanie http://stephaniegreenebooks.com/wp/ Haley, Gail E. (Blowing Rock) http://www.gailehaley.com/ [email protected] Hartley, A.J. (Charlotte) - http://ajhartley.net/ Hawes, Louise http://www.louisehawes.com/ Heyes, Eileen http://eileenheyes.com/ [email protected] Hicks, Betty (Greensboro) us.macmillan.com/author/bettyhicks Holub, Joan (Raleigh) http://www.joanholub.com/ [email protected] Hostetter, Joyce Moyer http://joycemoyerhostetter.info/ [email protected] Houston, Gloria (western NC) http://www.gloriahouston.com/ Hurmence, Belinda (Raleigh) [email protected] Hutton, John (Winston-Salem) [email protected] Johnson, J.J. - http://www.jjjohnsonauthor.com/ [email protected] Laminack, Lester (Asheville) - http://www.lesterlaminack.com/index.htm Lee, Karen (Raleigh) - http://www.karenleeillustration.com/ [email protected] Page 3 / Summer 2012 NCRA Newsletter NORTH CAROLINA AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS North Carolina Reading Association Lyons, Kelly Starling - http://www.kellystarlinglyons.com/ [email protected]/ McDonald, Dave - http://www.davemcdonald.com/index.html [email protected] Messer, Stephen - http://stephenmesser.com/ Norris, Shana (Kinston) - http://www.shananorris.com/ [email protected] Ogburn, Jacqueline K.- [email protected] Patterson, Irania Macias (Charlotte) Perkins, Stephanie (Chapel Hill) - http://www.stephanieperkins.com/ Revis, Beth (Union Mills) http://www.bethrevis.com/ [email protected] Ryan, Carrie (Charlotte) http://www.carrieryan.com/ [email protected] Salsi, Lynn (Greensboro) http://www.lynnsalsi.com/ Schroder, Monica (NC mtns) - http://www.monikaschroeder.com/ [email protected] Tate, Eleanora E. http://www.eleanoraetate.com/ [email protected] Tiernan, Cate (Durham) - http://catetiernan.net/ Tolan, Stephanie S. (Charlotte) - http://www.stephanietolan.com/ [email protected] Turnage, Sheila (Farmville) - http://www.sheilaturnage.com [email protected] Vernon, Ursula (Pittsboro) - http://ursulavernon.com/ Wartski, Maureen Crane(Raleigh) http://www.maureenwartski.com/ [email protected] Washington, Donna - http://www.dlwstoryteller.com/ [email protected] Weatherford, Carole Boston - http://cbweatherford.com/contact/ [email protected] Wood, Frances M.- http://francesmwood.com/ [email protected] Wolf, Allan (Asheville) http://www.allanwolf.com/ [email protected] Wright Frierson, Virginia (Wilmington) http://vmw-f.com/ [email protected] Younger, Barbara (Hillsborough) http://barbarakyounger.com/ [email protected]. Out-of-State authors who were born in NC or lived in NC Holmes, Sara Lewis (DC) http://www.saralewisholmes.com/index.htm Jones, Elizabeth McDavid (Va) http://www.elizabethmcdavidjones.com/ Moses, Sheila P. http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Shelia-P-Moses/19361088 Myracle, Lauren laurenmyracle.com Osborne, Mary Pope marypopeosborne.com Ransome, James www.jamesransome.com [email protected] News from State Coordinator Barb Falkenbury Page 4 / Summer 2012 NCRA Newsletter The North Carolina Reading Association has reconfigured the areas of the state and added new Area Directors based on the formation of new councils in some areas. The following are the newly designated areas. Welcome to four new Area Directors; Danna Davis, Ellen Peskoe, Rachael Rovenstine and Karyn Gloden. Area 1: Great Smokies, Western Mountains ( Danna Davis [email protected] ) Area 2: Price, Alexander, Blue Ridge (Ellen Peskoe [email protected] ) Area 3; Greater Cleveland, Union-Monroe, Charlotte (Erin McClure [email protected]) Area4: Cabarrus, Rowan-Salisbury, Caldwell(Rachael Rovenstine [email protected]) Area 5:Winston-Salem/Forsyth , Rockingham, Greater Greensboro( Sandy Morrison [email protected]) Area 6: Monroe, Robeson, Lee, Harnett(Tommy Johnson [email protected]) Area 7: Triangle, Raleigh-Wake (Karyn Gloden [email protected]) Area 8: Nash-Rocky Mt., Wilson, Tar River ( Ann Davis [email protected] ) Area 9: Sampson, Duplin, Onslow-Lejeune (Sue Harrison [email protected] ) Area 10: Brunswick, Pender, New Hanover (Sharron Regan [email protected] ) Area 11: Twin Rivers, Crystal Coast (Dona Styron [email protected] ) Practical Ways to Promote Word Consciousness by Lois E. Huffman Lois Huffman is an adjunct faculty member at NC State University and a consultant with the Center for Applied Linguistics. She provides professional development in literacy and language for schools and reading councils. Her email address is [email protected]. Page 5 / Summer 2012 NCRA Newsletter Viva Vocabulary Each edition of “Viva Vocabulary!” focuses on different word genres. The goal is to help students (re)discover the joy of language and the expressive power of vocabulary. Portmanteaus to Pack into Speech and Print Lewis Carroll is credited with introducing the first “portmanteau words” in his poem, Jabberwocky. Portmanteau words are formed by fusing the sounds and meanings of two words. I wonder what Mr. Carroll would think of these recent blended additions to our language. agritainment = agriculture + entertainment (Farm-based tourism such as hayrides, corn mazes, petting zoos, pick-your-own, etc.) anticipointment = anticipation + disappointment (Feeling when a product or experience doesn't live up to all of the publicity surrounding it) auditeria = auditorium + cafeteria (In some schools, this multipurpose room is called a cafetorium (cafeteria + auditorium)) bizcation = business + vacation (Bringing a significant other on a business trip and adding a couple days on for pleasure or scheduling layovers and connections to allow for sightseeing) bronde = brunette + blonde (Summer look achieved by painting on two different shades of blonde on the top layers of brown hair.) carbage = car + garbage (Trash that accumulates in a vehicle) cavemanglish = caveman + English (Speaking with poor grammar) Chunnel = channel + tunnel (Undersea rail tunnel linking England and France) computerate = computer + literate (Capable of installing one's own software) confuge = confusing + huge (Used to describe some cities, airports, and stores) coopetition = cooperation + competition (Teaming up with a competitor to expand a business or engage in another endeavor) diabesity = diabetes + obesity (Onset of type 2 diabetes from excess weight) digilante = digital + vigilante (Person who uses digital tools to avenge a crime) continued page 6 North Carolina Reading Association catio = cat + patio (Enclosed porch or space where a cat can safely spend time outside) North Carolina Reading Association flexitarian = flexible + vegetarian (Person who eats a vegetarian diet, but occasionally eats meat, a.k.a. semi-vegetarian) freemium = free + premium (Online business model in which basic services are free, but there is a charge for extra features) frendor = friend + vendor (Company whose product or service is preferred because the salesperson plays golf or engages in another activity with the boss) globesity = global + obesity (World Health Organization term to describe the weight problems of people worldwide) grungeon = grunge + dungeon (An ill-lit, poorly maintained workplace) jeggings = jeans + leggings (Skin-tight stretch denim leg coverings) locavore = local + omnivore (Person committed to eating food that is grown near where he or she lives) manny = male + nanny (Man who hires out for childcare duty) meanderthal = meander + Neanderthal (Someone who has a hard time getting to the point when telling a story) nutraceutical = nutrition + pharmaceutical (Food-based dietary supplement that may provide health and medical benefits) oblication = obligation + vacation (Using vacation time to take care of family or personal matters) sanctimommy = sanctimonious + mommy (Mother who points out the “errors” in other's parenting) shootie = shoe + bootie (Ladies' footwear that reaches up to the ankles) vidiot = video + idiot (Person who spends most of his or her time in front of a screen, watching TV, playing video games, surfing the Net, etc., a.k.a. mouse potato) vubicle = view + cubicle (Highly desirable office cubicle near a window) Teaching Ideas Page 6/ Summer 2012 NCRA Newsletter 1.Introduce portmanteau words (a.k.a. blended words) by sharing some common ones, such as smog (smoke + fog) and brunch (breakfast + lunch). Let students know that a portmanteau word is a special kind of compound formed by combining parts of two words. Explain that portmanteau was the French word for suitcase. Just like a suitcase, portmanteau words have two parts that fold into one. Ask students to identify the two words that have been combined to form the examples. Let students know that blended words originated with Lewis Carroll's poem, Jabberwocky. Read the poem with the class and, together, list some of the portmanteau words used by Mr. Carroll. Also discuss why he might have coined the terms (e.g., rhythm and meter in the poem, poetic license) and why people continue to develop new portmanteau words (e.g., communicate efficiently, play with language, have fun, grab attention, make something more memorable, describe new phenomenon). continued on page 7. Locations Weather Events Government Food Buildings/Rooms Adjectives Equipment Technology/Internet People Pets Other Page 7 / Summer 2012 NCRA Newsletter 2. Assign student dyads or triads one of the categories in the table below. Each small group should go online and consult family and friends to generate a list of portmanteau words for their category. After students share their lists (possibly via a hosted gallery walk), talk about why there may be so many words in some of the categories. For example, portmanteau words are constantly being coined to describe digital innovations and applications (e.g., vodcasts = video + podacsts and Godcasts (religious or inspirational podcasts) = God + podcasts). 3. Make copies of The Manhattan Menace by W. A. Sorrells (from the Karito Kid Adventure series, 2008, Kids Give) available for students in Grades 3-5 to read independently or with a partner. In this story, the protagonist, 11-year-old Zoe creates a lot of portmanteau words. For example, Zoe refers to the possibility of ghosts as shiverlicious (shiver + delicious). Invite students to keep a record of Zoe's portmanteaus with the page number and two words they originated from. 4. Have students give the two words that make up each of the following portmanteau words. Also ask students to share a personal association with each blended term. For example, some people might think that buying a 70-inch flat screen TV is a splurchase. If students have no personal knowledge of one of the blended words, have them research the term online. Students might not be aware, for instance, that carrying a designer murse is a status symbol among Chinese businessmen. 5. Invite older students to read and discuss their reactions to Barry Saunders' column, “English needs YOU” (newsobserver.com/2011/02/19/1000133/english-needs-you.html). Are words such as ginormous and ridiculicious corrupting American English as Mr. Saunders' suggests? Should these creative words be included in contemporary dictionaries? Are dictionary editors responsible for the increasing use of portmanteau words in American pop culture? continued page 8 North Carolina Reading Association Key: application + obnoxious; broccoli + cauliflower; documentary + drama; drama + comedy; education + alcoholic; exercise + gaming; friend + enemy; glamorous + camping; man + purse; (Inter)net + etiquette; sheep + people; snorkel + scuba; splurge + purchase; spoon + fork North Carolina Reading Association Let students know that Mr. Saunders is not alone in his concerns about some of the blended words that have invaded the American vernacular. For example, bromance (brother + romance), which is defined as “a close non-sexual relationship between two men” is on Lake Superior State University's 2010 List of Banished Words: lssu.edu/banished/archive/2010.php. Here are some comments from the site: "Have we really reached the point where being friends has to be described in a pseudo-romantic context? Just stop it already!" - Greg, Washington, DC "I am sick of combined words the media creates to make them sound catchier. Frenemies? Bromances? Blogorrhea? I'm going to scream!" - Kaylynn, Alberta, Canada. 6. Have students work in pairs to create a portmanteau about a real-life phenomenon or humorous make-believe situation (a portmanteau sniglet!). Students should illustrate the meaning of their word using one of the free cartoon websites or goanimate.com. The latter site allows students to use their own photos. To inspire students, display The Argyle Sweater cartoon that shows NASCARGOT (NASCAR + escargot). As the snails are going around the track, the announcer says, “AND LAP ONE IS FINISHED IN JUST 12 HOURS!” This cartoon can be seen at gocomics.com/theargylesweater/2011/03/10/. Important NCRA Dates for 2012 September 8 ***September 30 ***October 31 November 15 ***November 30 December 9 ***December 31 International Literacy Day First membership list and $10 per member due to Ken Sheldon Second membership list and $10 per member (those not paid by September 30) due to Ken Sheldon Project Grant entries due to President Elect Treana Bowling (Eligibility: 10 IRA members and 30 members-'good standing') Third membership list and $10 per member (those not paid by October 31) due to Ken Sheldon Young Authors entries due to Tonnye Fletcher (number of entries allowed is based on # of members in local council) Fourth membership list and $10 per member (those not paid by November 31) due to Ken Sheldon NCRA Board of Directors’ Meeting Dates for 2012 - 2013 Raleigh NC Page 8/ Summer 2012 NCRA Newsletter 10:00 a.m. - Saturday, October 13 10:00 a.m. - Saturday, January 26 after delegates assembly - Sunday evening, March 10 10:00 a.m. - Saturday, April 13 NOTE: Because the NCRA Board must have a quorum to take any action on behalf of the organization, it is important that any area director or other board committee chair who cannot attend a board meeting choose someone to attend in her/his place and have that designated person serve as a proxy. His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg by Louise Borden Review by Emily Long When I go to my public library to swap books I realized too late that should not have gone home with me and those read from cover to cover for a new batch, I take a minute to chat with my favorite “library lady,” Miss Louse. She is the dearest of souls who enjoys doing nice things for people and visiting with the library's patrons about anything and everything. A nice thing she does for me is telling me when there are new books that she feels I might like or can use in one of my classes and where they are on the shelf. One of my latest treasures from Miss Louise is His Name Was Raoul Wallenberg by Louise Borden. This is a nonfiction account of courage, rescue, and mystery during World War II written for late elementary and older. Page 9 / Summer 2012 NCRA Newsletter Book Review Wallenberg was a Swedish businessman and humanitarian who worked in Budapest to rescue tens of thousands from Nazi death camps. He did this by issuing protective passports called shutzpasse and housing Jews in buildings established as Swedish territory. (Sweden, like Switzerland, was neutral during WW II). This is an amazing and inspirational story that is important because it underscores the power of one dedicated person to accomplish miracles for the good of mankind. This is not a difficult read; words and terms are very manageable. There are naturally some words in German but they are few and carefully explained in context. The suggested reading level is for 12 and up but upper elementary students could handle the text. This book is visually attractive and interesting thanks to the photos and skilled retelling of Wallenberg's life. Borden has done an outstanding job of calling this humanitarian to our attention. His name is not wellknown which is seen by many to be a tragedy because he is a superior moral compass as compared to Schindler. Perhaps Hollywood will make a movie about Raoul Wallenberg. The scriptwriter will not have to take much literary license because there is more than sufficient drama from the taken to protect the Jews and the mysterious events surrounding his death in a Russian prison. continued on page 10 North Carolina Reading Association Louise Borden shares that she had never heard of Raoul Wallenberg. It seems that fate intervened to ensure that Borden did not let Wallenberg go unnoticed or unheralded. By chance, she read a book about this Swedish diplomat and was immediately smitten. Again by chance, this time during a family visit to Maryland, she met a man who was a classmate of Wallenberg at the University of Michigan. They chatted about him all afternoon and from this visit came her determination to write a book about “Rudy” as he was known in college. Since then, Borden has made several trips to Sweden to visit his remaining family members, friends, and war-time colleagues. Walking the streets he walked helped her add literary interest to her carefully researched book. For me, one of the best aspects of this book is how Borden embedded primary source documents throughout the text. There are photos of young Raoul in school and the houses he lived in plus then and now photos of his Stockholm. There are also photos of realia such as the stars Jews were forced to wear, passports, and shutzpasse. These primary source documents help bring the text to life and help the reader ground what is learned in the text with real people and the events that Borden unfolds for us in her book. North Carolina Reading Association continued from page 9 His name Was Raoul Wallenberg can be used in the classroom in many ways. It is an excellent way to introduce students to biography and primary source documents in one book. Teachers can bridge from the primary source materials into how to construct meaning from different forms of text such as photos, maps, diagrams, and sketches. This book can also support many different graphic organizers that will help students organize and retain information they construct from the book. A Venn diagram comparing/contrasting life during wartime with peace time and a flow chart to show the progression of events are two that spring to mind; there are many more that can be used along with all of the foldable variations of graphic organizers. I highly recommend this book because it can in many different ways to serve different purposes. The text is not difficult and the pictures support the text and are inviting. It is especially valuable for those of us who feel that social studies needs to be taught in our classrooms because if our students do not learn history, they may be doomed to repeat it. Will Your School Win IRA's Highest Reading Award in 2013? The Exemplary Reading Program Award recognizes outstanding reading and language arts programs at all grade levels (elementary, middle and high school) and from public, private and parochial schools. The purpose of the award is to focus the public's attention on outstanding programs in schools throughout North America. IRA awards the Exemplary Reading Program Award to one school from each state or province whose councils participate in the program. NCRA actively solicits applications from across North Carolina, and for the past several years, North Carolina schools have been honored by IRA at their annual convention. IRA's 10 guidelines for applications are listed below. If you know of a school meeting all or most of these requirements, please encourage the literacy leaders to apply for this prestigious award. Applications have been sent to all school system superintendents. The forms and guidelines can also be downloaded from IRA's website www.reading.org. Applications must be postmarked by November 15 and received at IRA headquarters no later than November 28, 2012. Let's celebrate the good teaching going on across North Carolina! Page 10/ Summer 2012 NCRA Newsletter 10 GUIDELINES TO FOLLOW: For consideration as an Exemplary Reading Program your school should demonstrate that: 1. The reading program is consistent with sound theory, research, and practice. 2. The reading program facilitates student learning. 3. Students have access to a wide variety of reading materials. 4. Students demonstrate success in reading. 5. Comprehension strategies are taught and applied across the curriculum. 6. Listening, speaking, viewing, and writing are integrated into and support the reading program. 7. Administrators and teachers provide leadership and vision for the building and/or district reading program. 8. The school and/or district offers support services to the program. 9. Literacy activities occur outside of school. 10. The community, including parents, is involved in the reading program. Jane Kline, Exemplary Reading Program Award Committee Chair [email protected] Did you know that you can earn funds for your council by maintaining or increasing membership, recruiting student members and new members, and promoting membership in IRA? To qualify for membership incentive bonuses, a council in “good standing” must complete several items by January 15. (To be in “good standing,” a council must have a minimum of 30 members, including ten IRA members and three officers, and must hold at least three local meetings). Page 11 / Summer 2012 NCRA Newsletter Membership Incentives for Local Councils * Submit a membership campaign by September 30. * Submit new and renewing members monthly through December 31. * Submit a complete list of active IRA members by January 15. NCRA will award membership incentives to local councils that maintain and increase membership using the total presented at the January Board Meeting, 2013 as the basis to determine growth. The incentives are as follows: * Any council that maintains its same membership number from last year will receive $50. * Any council that increases or grows from last year will receive $25 additional. * If the council grows more than 25%, an additional $25 will be awarded. * All councils with 200 or more members for the current year will be inducted into the President's Club and receive special recognition (certificate) and $100. * A council may receive up to $200. NCRA will award membership incentives to local councils with the largest percentage of active IRA members. * The council with the largest percentage of active IRA members will receive $100. NCRA will award membership incentives to local councils with the most student members. * Councils with 1 to 5 student members will receive $25. * Councils with 6 to 11 student members will receive $50. * Councils with 12 or more student members will receive $75. NCRA will award a membership incentive award of $100 to the local council with the largest number of first time NCRA members. For more information, contact: Jeanne Swafford, VP for Membership 910-962-7790 (work) Email: [email protected] Ken Sheldon, Membership Director 828-297-3375 (home) [email protected] NCRA Scholarships Available Criteria for Applicants: * Be a resident of North Carolina. * Be a member of NCRA and a local council if one is available. * Participate actively in NCRA or a local council. Additional scholarship information and criteria are available on the NCRA website, ncreading.org. Scholarship applications must be postmarked to Mary Jo Floyd by February 1, 2013. *If you are applying for a second scholarship, please contact one of the officers for further details. North Carolina Reading Association Each year the North Carolina Reading Association (NCRA) offers scholarships of between $500 and $1000 to those who are seeking to further their literacy education. If you are planning to pursue your master's degree or doctorate in reading or are interested in earning a Reading Certificate, please consider applying for a scholarship from NCRA. Both teachers and full-time students are eligible. North Carolina Reading Association NCRA Young Authors Contest 2013 Theme: "Play That Game" Shirt logo and design by Steven House, [email protected]. The theme for the 2012-2013 Young Authors' Project is “Play that Game!.” Young Authors are encouraged to write about games they play, inside and outside. They should consider games they played when they were younger, games they shared with family and friends, games where they learned valuable lessons about working together, winning and/or losing, sports and other. Students and Forever Young (Adult) writers can choose to write about a true experience, a content piece about games that made a difference in their lives, building mind and body - in prose or poetry form. Let your students experiment - they will surprise you! Local Reading Council information Page 12/ Summer 2012 NCRA Newsletter * Grade K-1 should have no more than 200 words total. * Grades 2-8 selections should have no more than 300 words total. * Grades 9-12 and Forever Young should have no more than 500 words total. * Only one entry per person may be submitted. * A completed "Young Author Entry Form" must be taped on the back of each entry. * Artwork may be submitted with a written entry by the same person. (Send original art - no copies please! Label back of work with artist, grade, school, and teacher) * Winning council entries must be postmarked to the Young Author Chairperson by Thursday, December 2, 2012. Mail or deliver entries with completed Council Information forms to: Tonnye W. Fletcher, 7263 Peacock Rd., Chadbourn, NC 28431. Entry forms and guidelines can be downloaded from the NCRA website, ncreading.org. For more information, contact Tonnye Fletcher at [email protected]. NEW THIS YEAR: Get your Young Authors shirt! Young Authors T-shirts will be available to order online for $10 plus shipping at ncreading.org in advance of the state Young Authors Celebration to be held Saturday, March 9 in the Raleigh Convention Center. Shirt design and color are pictured above. How many of these Web 2.0 tools do you recognize? Glogster, Storyblue, Voki, Go animate, Blog, Storybird, Storyjumper, Animoto, Prezi, Wordle, Wallmaster, Weebly. Daniel Hawley, the 2012 recipient Dave Jones Award for the Advancement of Youth Readership, asks students in his Spanish I, III and IV classes at Southeast Raleigh High to use those tools to create end-of-unit projects. Projects relevant to students drive the curriculum. North Carolina's schools work now with the revised Bloom's taxonomy as well as the Common Core and Essential State Standards. Creativity represents the highest level of thinking in the new taxonomy. Each of Hawley's units asks students to apply what they've learned to create products, all of which they share with classmates in oral presentations. Hawley's approaches to technology do not stop with software familiar to him; he and his students learn new technologies. Often, he asks students to teach themselves how to use new tools. And, he works similarly with teachers. In training sessions with teachers, he demonstrates the use of Web 2.0 tools, and he shows the benefits of embracing new and different technologies. Which project involved the use of newspapers and led to Daniel Hawley's selection as the recipient of the Dave Jones Award? Students researched the Oakwood community by studying newspaper archives, then mapped out and led a tour through historic Oakwood, taking photos and giving directions in Spanish to three places along the way. Given annually, the Dave Jones award recognizes K-12 teachers and media specialists who are working to promote youth civic engagement through the use of news and newspapers that focus on local communities and/ or state. Specifically, the award will recognize educators who employ innovative lessons, units of study, educational programs or projects to develop students’ reading and writing skills and educate students about their community. These activities can take place in schools, homes and/or other settings where young people gather to learn, or the activities can be delivered using technology. The North Carolina Press Foundation’s Newspapers in Education Program sponsors the award. The award includes a $250 honorarium and up to $750 reimbursement for attendance at an educational conference where the recipient presents his or her project to attendees. For more information about the award, go to http://www.ncpress.com/ncpf/ncnie/newindex.html. Page 13 / Summer 2012 NCRA Newsletter NIE News Important Information about Project Grants! Applications must be submitted by November 15! To be eligible for a a Mary Ellen Skidmore Project Grant, local councils must: Local council presidents and project coordinators will receive notification by email stating that the grant application has been received. Winning councils will be notified by December 15, 2012. More information can be found at ncreading.org. Questions - email Treana at [email protected] - Subject Line: MESPGrants North Carolina Reading Association * submit their first membership lists and payment for 30 members ($300) to Ken Sheldon no later than October 31, 2012. * have at least 30 members by October 31. * have at least 10 IRA members; 3 must be local officers. Individuals may obtain online IRA memberships for $29. Join at https://marketplace.reading.org/Memberships/IRA_NewMember.aspx North Carolina Reading Association Attend the NC Reading Conference Raleigh, March 10 - 12, 2013 “Investigate that Story: Dig to the Core” This year’s conference will focus on key elements of the common core: close reading, word study, evidence-based conclusions, text complexity, and research projects that build scaffolds for digging deeper. The conference will also feature award-winning authors and professional speakers. 2013 Featured Authors include: (Keynote speakers, featured speaker sessions, and panel discussions) Jack Gantos (Newbery winner) Alan Wolf Andrea Pinkney Steven Layne Ruta Sepetys Sheila Turnage Betty Debnam (Mini Page) Steven Messer Tim Crothers . . . . . . . . and many more! Submit your 2013 conference proposal electronically at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2 XQX9JG Page 14/ October/November 2011 NCRA Newsletter Deadline for proposals: October 1, 2012 questions: [email protected] Professional speakers for institutes/ featured speaker sessions include: Stuart Albright & Karyn Gloden - encourage writing by publishing student work Carol Paola - problem-based learning Laura Candler - graphic organizers & common core Jane Feber - strategies to engage struggling and not-so-struggling students in the classroom and RX for Writing Success Brian Carroll - text complexity Brian Sturm - storytelling David Zucchino - Pulitizer winner TJ Wolfe - technology . . . and many more! Earn up to 2 reading CEUs for attending two pre-conference sessions on Sunday, March 18 in addition to the full conference Monday & Tuesday, March 19 & 20. Check the website ncreading.org for more information about the conference. New this Year! Conference t-shirts will be available for purchase ($10 plus shipping) on the NCRA website, ncreading.org. Design and color of the shirts are shown above. A limited number of shirts will also be available for purchase during the conference. For our new website, currently under development, we need help from local councils! 1) Please send in a list of officers for a MEMBERS ONLY directory. Be sure to include email addresses to help NCRA leaders to set up a system that will assure everyone receives timely email communications. Page 15 / Summer 2012 NCRA Newsletter Council Leaders: NCRA needs your help for the new website coming soon - ncreading.org 2) The website will include an interactive map to show anyone who's interested where and how to obtain information about local councils. Information needed from each council for the map includes 1) how to join local your council (who is the membership chair?), 2) how to learn more about your council (website or facebook address or person to contact). Council leaders, please send this information to President Sandra Cook at [email protected], SUBJECT LINE: PRIORITY, local officers, or mail to Sandra Cook at 111 Lariat Lane, Chapel Hill, NC 27517. 3) NCRA wants to feature local councils on its website calendar, so when you know the times, dates, places and topics for programs, please share that information with your area director and NCRA president Sandra Cook for 2012-2013. 4) Submit articles and photos for our members blog, NC Reading Update, and post to the open blog on a variety of reading-related topics. Teaching Literature for Young Adults: A Tiny Open Online Course (FREE!!) Have you been hearing about MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)? Well, there's nothing massive about ECI 521: Teaching Literature for Young Adults except what you can learn. You can learn about . . . -- the latest and greatest (2012 titles) recommended by an award-winning teen book club (Eva Perry Mock Printz Club) -- the teaching and learning of the Common Core and more creatively -- digital storytelling and other tech tools in this new literacies sandbox -- and much more . . . Orientation for university students runs from Aug. 16-26 but Open participants can begin at any time. The course ends Dec. 9. We'll read, blog, tweet, bookcast, and much more. LIVE classes will be held most Thursdays from 7 to 9 pm ET. Guest speakers include Marc Aronson, of nonfiction writing and editing fame, on November 15. As an Open participant, you can participate to any degree you'd like, coming and going as suits your interests and schedule. All we ask is that you share generously as you learn. NC State is offering this professional development opportunity at no cost. Credit is available only to NC State University students, but interested professionals are encouraged to incorporate this course in their professional development plans. Contact Adolescent Literacy Chair, Cris Crissman, PhD at [email protected] with questions. North Carolina Reading Association Learn more about the course at http://bookhenge.wikispaces.com/Open+Invitation Your leaders: working for you! Vice President Jeanne Swafford and Susan Peel enjoy dinner with attendees President Sandy Cook awards Presidents’ pins Page 16 / May/June 2011 ciation NCRA Newsletter 2012 Leadership Conference Vice President Jeanne Swafford, Past President Mary Jo Floyd, President Sandra Cook, State Coordinator Barb Falkenbury, Treasurer Margaret Inman, Secretary Susan Peel, Membership Director Ken Sheldon. Local leaders accept council awards. Sharing council projects. Margaret Inman models the Young Author t-shirt. Attendees find time to relax and enjoy the cool air! Attendees hear about Horn in the West before attending one evening. Sharing ideas is what leadership is all about! North Carolina Reading Asso- The 2012 NCRA Annual Leadership Conference was held in Boone, North Carolina June 19-21, 2012. Over 70 leaders from across the state were in attendance. Twenty-three councils were represented from all over the state, and over 60 percent of the participants were attending for the first time. Councils that received Mary Ellen Skidmore Grants in 2011-2012 presented their grant activities ranging from book bags for children to countywide mall events. Other topics of discussion were Young Authors, Honor Council, Membership Incentives and the NCRA Conference in March. A special presentation and interactive discussion was given by Susie Wilde on leadership and character education. After an engaging activity, each participant received a book. Games, activities, sharing, and door prizes were all highlights of the conference. Attendees were treated to dinner at the Daniel Boone Inn and a performance at Horn in the West. If no one from your council was able to attend, please contact State Coordinator Barbara Falkenbury at [email protected] for more information. NCRA ATTN: Jean House 4309 Boxwood Road Raleigh, NC 27612 NCRA 2012-13 Upcoming Events EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2013 NCRA Conference, Raleigh Convention Center............................... March 10 - 12, 2013 President...................................Sandy Cook President-Elect...................Treana Bowling Vice President ..................Jeanne Swafford Treasurer ...........................Margaret Inman Secretary .....................................Susan Peel State Coordinator ............Barb Falkenbury Past President ......................Mary Jo Floyd AREA DIRECTORS Danna Davis Sue Harrison Ellen Peskoe Tommy Johnson Erin McClure Sandy Morrison Rachel Rovenstine Karyn Gloden Ann Duke Sharron Regan Dona Styron Newsletter Editor Jean House, Exec. Asst. Phone: 919-606-3806 Cell [email protected] Submit newsletter articles by November 1. 58th IRA Conference, San Antonio Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 19 - 11, 2013 2014 NCRA Conference, Raleigh Convention Center............................... March 16 - 18, 2014 2015 NCRA Conference, Raleigh Convention Center............................... March 15 - 17, 2015 2016 NCRA Conference, Raleigh Convention Center............................... March 13 - 15, 2016 2017 NCRA Conference, Raleigh Convention Center............................... March 19 - 21, 2017 2018 NCRA Conference, Raleigh Convention Center............................... March 18 - 20, 2018 Visit ncreading.org for up-to-date information.
