Kate 2016 sherbert

Supporting Military-Connected Learners Through Literature and Literacy Experiences Dr. Vicki Sherbert Assistant Professor Secondary English Language Arts, Journalism, Speech/ Theatre sherbev@ksu.edu

https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=EqvHKJvEWtU#t=38

Understanding the Benefits & Hardships of Military Life/Culture “Well, Besides the Fact that Deployment Kinda Stinks….”

• Enriching experiences – Frequent moving • Resiliency – Stress • Developing Responsibility – Ambiguous loss

Understanding the Needs of MilitaryConnected Learners • Military-connected learners are in every school district in the United States (MCEC, 2012) • Phases of Deployment Cycle • Impact on Learners – Attendance – Behavior – Curriculum http://www.tcpress.com/militaryfamiliesoffer.html https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/military-connected-students/id742204249?mt=11

Challenges Faced by Students in the Classroom • • • • • •

Frequent moving Deployment or re-deployment of a loved-one Loss of a loved-one Anxiety The injury or disability of a loved-one Feelings of ambiguous loss

Biography-Driven Learning Activities • Military Culture as a part of diversity • Classroom activities focused on life experiences of all students in the classroom – Writing – Communication – Social Studies – Reading

Bibliotherapy • Military-connected children are seeking connections to others who are in similar life situations and they feel more at ease when they learn that they are not the only ones experiencing this particular circumstance • Bibliotherapy - the use of literature to teach about the issues one faces by identifying with a character and to help children cope with difficult issues and challenges • Educators can select books to help students identify with a character facing the same challenges, acknowledge and release their emotions, and gain new insight in order to better cope with the demands of school and learning in the face of adversity.

Primary Grade Selections

–Beaty, D. (2013). Knock Knock: My dad’s dream for me. New York: Little, Brown & Co. Literature –Blabley, A. (2009). Sunday chutney.

Selections Honesdale, Pa.: Front –Brisson, P. (2010). Sometimes we were brave. Honesdale, Pa.: Boyds Mills

Middle Grade/Young Adult Titles – Anderson, L. H. (2014). The impossible knife of memory. New York: Viking.

–DeFelice, C. (2011). Wild Life. New York: Scholastic.

– Holmes, S. L. (2009). Operation Yes. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books.

Literature Selections

Book Browse & KSU COE Booklist Browse

http://tinyurl.com/z7th4ez

Resources for Educators •

K-State College of Education Military Initiatives page: https://www.coe.ksu.edu/about/military/ index.html

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Teachers College Press: Free guides to support military students and their families http:// www.tcpress.com/militaryfamiliesoffer.html

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Livebinder of Resources (Sandy Risberg): http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=860177

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Military Child Coalition: http://www.militarychild.org

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Resources for Military Child & Teens: https://www.coe.ksu.edu/about/documents/ Military_Children_Teens_Resources.pdf

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The Advocate Fall 2014-Winter 2015: http://www.atekan.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ Fall2014-FINAL.pdf

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Michigan Dept. of Ed.: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/ Web_Resources_for_Teachers_and_School_Administrators_352413_7.pdf

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American Sociological Association: Teaching active duty military students http://www.asanet.org/ footnotes/marchapril13/military_0313.html

Contact Information Dr. Vicki Sherbert sherbev@k-state.edu

KSU College of Education Military Initiatives Page http://www.coe.k-state.edu/military/