Update
WSRA
NEWSLETTER OF THE WISCONSIN STATE READING ASSOCIATION
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A Letter from the President
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Tips of the Trade
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The WSRA Update is Coming to Your Inbox!
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The Book Corner
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Midwest Wisconsin Reading Council Hosts Event Dyslexia: Research and Rhetoric
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Madison Area Reading Council Great New Books for Children and Teens
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Southern Lakes Reading Council Service Project Food For Thought
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Join a Reading Council in 2019
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WSRA Membership Application
WHAT’S INSIDE
VOLUME 31 • NUMBER 4 • JANUARY 2019
A Letter from the President Submitted by Deborah Cromer, WSRA President 2018-2019
December 22, 2018
D
ear WSRA Colleagues,
I’m writing this letter to you on the morning after the shortest day of 2018, after an event which I celebrated with a congenial group gathered around a firepit in my neighbors’ backyard. Our hosts gave heartfelt speeches, some folks sang long-remembered songs, and we all looked to the night sky for the almost-full moon which was just visible through a blanket of cloud. This annual event always reminds me that the longest, darkest night of the year can be illuminated by music, stories, comfort food, and good friends reassuring each other that the northern hemisphere of Earth will once again begin to tilt towards the Sun, bringing more and more light each ensuing day. As someone who grew up in the South, I’ve needed gatherings such as my neighbors’ party to get me through Wisconsin winters. The holidays always brighten the month of December, but I find myself craving light and warmth each January. What keeps me going each year during that month is anticipation of the WSRA Convention, an event that evokes in me some of the feelings I experienced last night around the firepit. The annual coming-together of literacy Deborah Cromer educators from Wisconsin and further afield each February serves as a powerful reminder that collaborative professionalism can tilt our teaching towards the light of learning for all. My hope is that you will join other WSRA colleagues and me as we assemble at the Wisconsin Center for the 2019 WSRA Convention with its theme, Literacy Excellence: Equity, Engagement, and Empowerment. May the learning we do there in the company of other literacy professionals enlighten us throughout the year. With kind regards,
Deborah Cromer
Update The Wisconsin State Reading Association provides leadership, advocacy, and professional learning for the implementation of effective literacy practices, recognizing the complex nature of literacy and engaging students to apply their literacies in meaningful ways in a changing world.
WSRA Update
Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gayle Luebke WSRA OFFICERS
President . . . . . . . . . . . Deborah Cromer 1st Vice President . . . . . . . LaTasha Fields 2nd Vice President . . . . . . Colleen Pennell 3rd Vice President . . . . . . Michelle Mullen Recording Secretary . . . . . Jennifer Metzer Coordinating Secretary . . . . Position open Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beth Eggert State Council Coordinator . . . Norm Andrews Committee Coordinator . . . . . Sue Boquist Past President . . . . . . . . . . . Gale Gerharz SE Zone Coordinator . . . . . . . Tanya Evans NE Zone Coordinator . . . Amy Roggenbauer SW Zone Coordinator . . . . Amanda DeVries NW Zone Coordinator . . . . . . . . Teri Lassig Central Zone Coordinator . . . Brian Perrodin Membership Director . . . . . Mark Rajkovich Public Relations Liaison . . . . . . . Tom Leis
Tips of the Trade
Submitted by Barb Novak, DPI Co-Liaison and WSRA Past President
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Productive Partnerships: An Online Learning Module
mproving literacy outcomes for all students depends upon collaboration between adults with different areas of expertise and varied values and beliefs. While such a team is able to use their expertise to support students in myriad ways, variety in adult knowledge and beliefs can also pose challenges. “Productive Partnerships,” alternately titled “Stop, Collaborate, and Listen” (thanks, Vanilla Ice) is an online learning module, created by DPI colleagues with varied backgrounds, designed to support you in building and maintaining healthy teams focusing on literacy outcomes for all students. The module includes: • Ideas to build and maintain teams such as proactive communication strategies, a trust inventory, support in articulating strengths and beliefs, and an initiative inventory. • Tools for collaboration during difficult times including assuming positive intent, listening, diagramming interpersonal conflict, and having hard conversations. The module is available online at https://dpi.wi.gov/reading/professional-learning/ productive-partnerships. Contact Barb Novak (barb.novak@dpi.wi.gov) or Laura Adams (laura.adams@dpi.wi.gov) for further information.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Joyce Uglow 909 Rock Ridge Road Burlington, WI 53105-7230 (262) 514-1450 wsra@wsra.org UPDATE DEADLINES
The newsletter will be published in September, November, January, March, May and July. Submission for each issue must be received by the 15th of the month preceding publication. Articles that are not time-sensitive are accepted by the editor at any time. Gayle Luebke, Editor WSRA Update gaylereadswsra@gmail.com 15336 Hercules Road Tomah, WI 54660 WSRA WEBSITE wsra.org
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The WSRA Update is Coming to Your Inbox!
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Submitted by Gayle Luebke, WSRA Update Editor
ame great articles and information in a brand new format. This is the last paper copy of the WSRA Update. Starting with the February/March edition the Update will be coming to you in its new PDF digital format. Watch for the WSRA Update coming to you in your email in March. The WSRA Update will be emailed to you, and we don't want you to miss a single thing! Please go to www.wsra.org and log in with your username that is above your address label on this Update. Once there, click on “My Profile” and check the accuracy of your home email address. You are able to edit your username, password, mailing address, and/or email address in your “My Profile.” We know that 103 emails bounced with the most recent email message sent. Was yours one of those? As always, if you have a question, feel free to call Joyce at 262-514-1450 or email at wsra@wsra.org.
WSRA Update
The Book Corner Submitted by WSRA Elementary Reading Committee
T
he WSRA Elementary Reading Committee would like to recommend some good reads for preservice teachers, interventionists, reading specialists, and elementary literacy teachers in the classroom.
Topic: Conferring
Synopsis: This book focuses on helping students become
Title: Mindsets and Moves: Strategies that Help Readers Take Charge by Gravity Goldberg
Grade level and target audience: Elementary 1-5 Focus: Building independent and self-directed readers Questions this book can answer: • Why are students intrinsically motivated as readers? • What can teachers do to create a classroom that promotes independence? • How can teachers reframe language when conferring and teaching with a growth mindset?
self-directed independent readers rather than compliant readers. Gravity explains how well-intended lessons and workshop procedures develop compliant, task focused readers who aren’t invested. The goal of the book is to provide specific steps we can take to guide students to take on greater ownership for their reading. Goldberg provides a framework for observing and conferring with readers: Be a Miner and purposely watch readers, then be a Mirror who gives feedback with a growth mindset perspective. Teacher also takes on the role of Model to show students what to do rather than assign, and finally acts as Mentor who guides students to try on new ways of reading student ownership. Goldberg lays out how the teacher can shift his/her role.
MIDWEST WISCONSIN READING COUNCIL HOSTS EVENT
Dyslexia: Research and Rhetoric Submitted by Melissa Ender, MWRC Member
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he MWRC hosted a fall event on October 25, featuring Deb Zarling, PK-5 Literacy Coordinator in the Oshkosh Area School District. The title of the event was, “Dyslexia: Research and Rhetoric.”
Deb Zarling
wsra.org
Deb provided information from various groups about how dyslexia is defined and identified, why dyslexia isn’t currently listed as a separate specific learning disability category, and what we, as teachers of reading, can do to support students who struggle to learn how to read. She provided a list of articles, websites and other resources to help individuals in their quest for more information.
In addition, Deb was able to answer the many questions attendees had regarding differences in instructional practices using phonics only approaches and balanced literacy approaches. One important message that she conveyed was that each student has individual needs—one size does not fit all. Teaching professionals must be prepared to meet individual student needs which requires not only knowledge and expertise in multiple literacy approaches, but also the freedom to use what they know to do what is best for student learning.
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MADISON AREA READING COUNCIL
Great New Books for Children and Teens
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Submitted by Amanda DeVries, MARC Member
n December 6, the Madison Area Reading Council welcomed Megan Schliesman from the CCBC to Maple Bluff Country Club in Madison, Wisconsin to present “Great New Books for Children and Teens.” Megan Schliesman talked about 26 of the top titles from 2018, and gave us all new titles to add to our libraries.
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This is an annual event for MARC, but this year the council also invited members of Muirland Literacy Council to join them in the celebration of books and the holidays. New friendships and collaboration opportunities began, and a great time was had by all. Both councils will work together again at Muirland’s May 1 meeting with Dr. Mike Ford and Kathy Champeau.
WSRA Update
wsra.org
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SOUTHERN LAKES READING COUNCIL SERVICE PROJECT
Food For Thought
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Submitted by Barbara Townsend, SLRC Member
or the sixth year in a row, Southern Lakes Reading Council members Cathy Pomaranski and Barbara Townsend visited the Scholastic Warehouse December book sale to purchase books for the council’s community service project, Food for Thought. The purpose of Food for Thought is to supply food pantries in Walworth County with new and gently used books, allowing those who use the food pantries to choose books for their families. SLRC applied for and was once again awarded the WSRA Community Service Grant, matching WSRA’s $200 check with $200 from the SLRC account. Calculators, coupons, and sticky notes in hand, over 400 books were purchased at the BOGO sale. Books priced at $2.00 and a “Build-a-Box” section added to the great deals found on this trip. The books were distributed to food pantries in Walworth County just prior to the holidays in hopes parents would choose appropriate books for their children, perhaps even as Christmas gifts.
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It is hoped that the books will be read to children by parents or older siblings, allowing the children who are hearing the stories to become familiar with the language most likely used in a school setting—the language that will be necessary for future academic success. It is also hoped that books will be read by children who may be anywhere on the reading journey from beginning reader to advanced reader, as the books being supplied are from a variety of different reading levels and genres. This will provide the practice that is so very necessary at all levels. SLRC is also responsible for distributing gently used books (sometimes combined with new books from Scholastic’s spring sale) at other times throughout the year. Books were delivered in both May and August to encourage summer reading. Walworth County food pantries are always very excited to accept these book donations whenever they are delivered. Thank you to WSRA for assisting SLRC in this worthy community service!
WSRA Update
Join a Reading Council in 2019
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Submitted by Joyce Uglow, WSRA Administrative Assistant
ocal reading councils in Wisconsin provide exemplary programs that enrich educators’ expertise and are an integral part of WSRA’s connected array of professional learning opportunities. To discover up-to-date details and more about the councils, go to www.wsra.org/councils. Northeast Zone 24. Door County 23. Greater Bayland 22. Interlake 25. Northeast
Door County Reading Council
Northwest Zone 16. Ashland Bayfield 12. Eau Claire Area 11. Midwest 14. Northwest 13. St. Croix Valley 15. Lake Superior
If you’d like to join a mailing list to be informed about the reading council and its events in your area, complete this form – www.wsra.org/council-mailing-lists. WSRA’s Membership Director, Mark Rajkovich, will forward your interest to that council’s membership chair.
Central Zone 18. Central Wisconsin 21. Fox Valley 17. Headwaters 20. Mid-East 19. Wolf River
Upcoming 2019 Local Reading Council Events
Ashland Bayfield Counties Literacy Council Central Wisconsin Reading Council
March 10, 2019
TBA
TBA
Greater Bayland Literacy Council
Eau Claire Area Reading Council
Fox Valley Reading Council
January 10, 2019 April 9, 2019 Interlake Reading Council
* Midwest Reading Council
February 21, 2019 April 27, 2019 Headwaters Literacy Council
TBA
TBA
Northeast Reading Council
Northwest Reading Council
TBA
March 16, 2019 • April 27, 2019 YAW St. Croix Valley Reading Council
TBA Lake Superior Reading Council
wsra.org
Southeast Zone Southwest Zone 1. Milwaukee Area 10. Hidden Valley 2. Racine Kenosha 9. Madison Area 3. Southern Lakes 8. Muirland 5. Washington Ozaukee 7. Rock River 4. Waukesha 6. South Kettle Moraine
January 7, 2019 May 13, 2019
April 4, 2019 • April 13, 2019 YAW Mid-East Reading Council
January 29, 2019 Wolf River Reading Council
March 30 YAW
Milwaukee Area Reading Council
Hidden Valley Reading Council
January 10, 2019 • February 21, 2019 January 15, 2019 • April 16, 2019 March 21, 2019 • April 25, 2019 • May 16, 2019 June 11, 2019 Racine Kenosha Reading Council Madison Area Reading Council
* Southern Lakes Reading Council
April 10, 2019 May 1, 2019 Muirland Literacy Council
January 19, 2019 • February 28, 2019 January 10, 2019 May 1, 2019 April 11, 2019 Rock River Reading Council Washington Ozaukee Reading Council
April 2, 2019 • April 27, 2019 March 7, 2019 YAW April 11, 2019 Waukesha County Reading Council South Kettle Moraine Reading Council
TBA
March 9, 2019
* If you're interested in helping to reactivate the Racine Kenosha or Eau Claire Area Reading Council, please contact WSRA's State Council Coordinator, Norm Andrews at mister4a@sbcglobal.net YAW stands for Young Authors Workshop
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Update
WSRA Belief Statements
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