Literacy and Language Development Workshops

Literacy—It All Connects
For Educators
(3 hours)

This workshop is an overview of the nine areas of literacy. The Clerc Center has developed a literacy program based on nine strategies for encouraging the development of reading and writing skills of deaf and hard of hearing students from preschool through high school. This workshop introduces the concept of each of the nine areas:

Reading to Students
Dialogue Journals
Shared Reading and Writing
Writer's Workshop
Independent Reading
Journals and Logs
Guided Reading and Writing
Language Experience
Research Reading and Writing

Presentations use examples from real classrooms and teachers. Participants come away with a general understanding of the nine areas and their importance in supporting students' literacy development.

Reading to Deaf Children: Learning from Deaf Adults
For Parents, Caregivers, and Educators
(3 or 6 hours)

Based on the Reading to Deaf Children: Learning from Deaf Adults manual and DVD, this workshop teaches the effective book-sharing techniques known as "the 15 Principles for Reading to Deaf Children." These principles were developed based on research studying effective communication strategies deaf adults use when reading to deaf and hard of hearing children.

The workshop focuses on key concerns:

Why is reading important?
How do I use sign language to share stories?
What if I don't know all the signs related to a story?
How do I keep American Sign Language (ASL) and English visible while reading?
How do I arrange the placement of the child and the book?

Participants learn to recognize and apply the 15 principles for reading to deaf and hard of hearing children. They practice these principles and gain new skills that they can use with their own children or with the children they teach.

Read It Again and Again
For Classroom Teachers, Librarians, and Other Educators
(3 or 6 hours)

This powerful one-day workshop corresponds to the shared reading and writing component of the Clerc Center's literacy program. Participants learn to use repeated reading of a story to deepen students' understanding of the text and improve their reading and writing skills. A book and DVD set entitled Read It Again and Again is also available.

The workshop focuses on key questions:

Why are multiple readings of the same book important?
How do I sustain interest over multiple readings?
How can I tie repeated readings to writing activities?

Leading from Behind: Language Experience in Action
For Classroom Teachers, Parents, Dorm Staff, and Other Educators
(3 hours)

Language Experience is a highly motivating approach that utilizes student-initiated experiences and reflective inquiry. It provides teachers with opportunities to facilitate authentic language and literacy learning. Briefly, students initiate and then work on a project for several days, documenting the experience. They dictate their experiences to an adult who translates their ASL into written English. This then becomes material for reading and writing instruction as the teacher helps the students see the connection between what they signed and what was written.

This workshop provides an introduction to using Language Experience in a student-centered classroom. It is designed primarily for classroom teachers and other educators, but parents and dorm staff will find it of interest as well. It is conducted in a highly interactive style so that participants are well prepared to use Language Experience when they return to their respective schools and programs.

The workshop can be adapted for parents and families and would work well in a Family Learning Vacation setting.

Sharing Books Using ASL and Deaf Cultural Literacy Practices: Preschool-Grade Eight
For Teachers, Librarians, Aides, Day Care Providers, Interpreters, Future Teachers, and Parents
(One- or two-day workshop)

This workshop focuses on how to share books using ASL and deaf cultural literacy practices with young deaf and hard of hearing students.

Participants will learn how to:

Share books as a visual and spatial experience
Translate English text into ASL in comprehensible ways
Scaffold children's learning during book sharing
Make connections between ASL and English within this context

Each literacy practice will be introduced and demonstrated, followed by opportunities for collaborative, guided practice using excerpts from various children's books. Additional topics will include selecting appropriate books and materials, elements of ASL, and topics based on the students' needs and interests.