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Workshops and Seminars
"
Literacy has powerful consequences
– not
the least is that it changes one’s views of oneself and the
world."
…. M. Spencer
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Readers
Theatre: Reading Beyond the Words
"Great
stuff! - great ideas. I'd love to have more time with Helen
Raczuk. I've seen her before, and I'd go again! ...."
Central Alberta Teachers Convention ... 2009
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A student once made a comment, after listening to a 'less than
acceptable' reading of a story by an adult, 'he can't read. He
knows how to read the words, but he doesn't know how to read the story'.
That comment resonated deeply with me, and became the inspiration for
this workshop.
Readers theatre is a strategy that encourages the frequent revisiting of
text which ultimately strengthens literacy skills, communication
skills, social skills. Working with scripts from a wide range of
reading competencies and content / interest levels, participants will
explore and develop strategies to:
As readers work towards performance, additional benefits become
apparent; authentic purpose exists to go behind the words, dig
for meaning and find the VOICE for each character as they read beyond
the words, experiencing and connecting to the real story. They learn
to read the words, and more importantly - to read the story.
Who otter come?
teachers, all levels
Presenter:
Helen
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WOW! She really knows about
teaching and learning. Bring her back again!
Mighty Peace Convention ...
2009 |
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"I was amazed at how much adults were engaged in these reading
activities!
The amount of reading one does within a short time is
amazing!
What other method actually has kids reading, rereading,
following along for the entire reading block?"
K. Fisher, Eau Claire Wisconsin ... USA
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Early Literacy … Stories,
Strategies and Scripts
"Great
presenter! Very well organized presentation - informative and easily
adapted to the classroom.
Participant participation is done with
ease..."
G. Resch, SEATCA '02 |
The session will stress the importance of sharing stories with children
on a daily basis. Numerous ideas will be presented for extending and
enhancing the themes and patterns found in primary picture books. Early
reading strategies will be modeled through shared reading activities
such as: pocket charting, overheads, big books, book in a can,
mini-books, readers theatre. In addition, suggestions will be given for
writing activities which support and extend the literature.
- Explore children’s literature, with
a focus on new Canadian titles, currently available for K – 3, and
its place in a balanced literacy program
- Build a repertoire of practical
teaching ideas for introducing, developing and extending literature
in the classroom
- Explore individual titles, and
collaborate in small groups to create appropriate activities, which
utilize balanced literacy techniques.
Who otter come?
– Early Literacy Educators
Presenter:
Helen
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An Early Invitation to Readers
Theatre
I enjoyed this. I found this session specific and informative.
A delightful presentation, too! Bravo! (GETCA 2008) |
In this
session, participants will explore several strategies for introducing
readers theatre into already existing balanced literacy programs.
Scripts
used will be suitable for early and beginning readers and will be based
on nursery rhymes, poetry, patterns, and familiar themes.
The
workshop will
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present ideas for motivating &
supporting reluctant readers,
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model different ways to introduce
readers theatre while assessing and developing background knowledge
/ skills.
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Introduce basic oral expression
development activities
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Give connections to picture books
and cross curricular links where possible.
Instructional Level: grade k-3
Who otter come?–
early literacy educators
Presenter:
Helen
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"I'm so glad there were so many examples to show each concept. I
can easily see how to implement this in my classroom! ...
R. Hall, SEATCA '02
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An Otter Invitation to Readers
Theatre
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In this session, participants will explore readers theatre as a tool to
expand and strengthen literacy skills in readers of all ages.
Scripts will be drawn from folk tales, stories and legends, which
represent many cultural traditions within Canada, and North America
which are suitable for more advanced readers.
The workshop will
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present ideas for motivating &
supporting reluctant readers,
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provide performance ideas, and
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offer tools to strengthen good oral
reading
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assessment guidelines
Who otter come?
– educators, administrators, parents
Content focus – Upper elementary,
Junior high
Presenters –
Helen
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Invitation to Munsch
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Novel studies in grade one? Why not! This
interactive session draws on three stories by Robert Munsch: Love you
Forever, Mud Puddle and Mortimer. Building on the
concepts inherent in the stories, participants will see ways to extend
picture books in the classroom to strengthen literacy skills, and build
excitement for reaching. The workshop will include
strategies for using mini books, readers theatre scripts, letter writing
and much ore. Teachers who have worked with these materials report that
students will come back a few years later, saying, 'remember when we did
that Munsch stuff? It was the best!'
Who otter come?
– educators, administrators, parents
Content focus –Primary, Elementary
Presenters –
Helen
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"What an inspiring workshop! I have used readers theatre but didn't know
the potential for excitement and engagement!" - Anita Nordby, Vancouver
BC |
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Strengthening Literacy Skills through
Readers Theatre
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This session is adaptable for either
primary or upper elementary grades. Focusing on reader theatre
scripts (both rhyme and prose), participants will learn ways to use
scripts to focus on specific skills for reading and writing.
This highly interactive session supports
teachers in all curriculum areas and offers materials ready to use on
Monday morning!
Who otter come?
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primary educators
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elementary educators
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consultants
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administrators
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parent educators
Consider booking this session for a full day - AM
for primary, and PM for upper elementary / junior high. Share
expenses and resources with other schools for maximum benefit of PD time
and funding.
Content Focus -
primary, middle grades
Presenter:
Helen
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"Excellent presentation – lots of
very useful and creative ways to get kids reading. I'm going to try this
with my special education kids. I've been to a lot of workshops but this
is the first time I've seen something new!" -
S. McKenzie, SEATCA
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Poetry,
Patterns, Pockets and Scripts
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This interactive workshop is designed to explore strategies for
strengthening and enhancing literacy skills in young readers.
Working with poetry patterns, pocket charts and reader theatre,
participants will
- explore strategies for guiding
readers to play with words in a secure and creative environment
- discuss ongoing assessment through
observation and self-assessment
- explore strategies for encouraging
writing based on familiar patterns
- explore literature and scripts which
build on familiar patterns
Who otter come?
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primary educators
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elementary educators
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consultants
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administrators
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parent educators
Content Focus - K-3
Presenter:
Helen
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"I found this
workshop to be a great addition to the Reader's theatre I already do in
my classroom. The info. was great and the pace was perfect for a
full day! Thank you." ... Sandi .... Kelowna, BC 2007
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| Slide
into Rhymes
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This session explores the
value of incorporating nursery rhymes into our playschool, kindergarten
and early childhood programs. Knowledge of rhyme strengthens early
phonemic awareness skills, building a foundation for early reading
skills.
Participants will work with a number of
nursery rhymes using music and rhythmic activities. They will also work
with text reconstruction experiences, pocket charting, word families,
and so much more.
Who Otter come?
Educators
- Pre K, K – 2
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'This was better than I expected! All
new ideas from what I'd heard before.
I like the variety of ways you
can read one story." ... Toni ... PITA 2008 |
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The Literate Child
'I found this workshop
to be a great addition to the readers theatre I already do in my
classroom. The information was great and the pace was perfect for
a full day! .... Vernon, 2005 |
This Full day
workshop is available to districts wishing to provide a more in-depth
professional development experience for their teachers.
Topics will include:
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Early Literacy strategies for working
with rhyme and rhythm, leading to early writing and reading
experiences. Based on 'Slide into Rhymes'.
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Introduction to Readers Theatre;
strategies for introducing readers theatre, identifying skills
within the scripts leading to mini-lesson development, assessment
and cross curricular links.
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For more information, click on this
link to see a typical full day schedule.
Fees for this full day are different. Please call to discuss
details and needs of your Professional Development Event. |
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Thanks for the day. I enjoyed
the flow and the participation level. I will USE this in my class.
It really hit home that fluency in reading will be enhanced by these
types of activities. Thanks!
.... Vernon, 2005 |
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Imbedded Professional Development
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Helen works with schools in
a number of different scenarios: PD with teachers, demonstration lesson
with children while teachers observe.
Helen presented an extended ProD in Singapore where teachers
were engaged in an intensive 2-day workshop. Teachers, primary through secondary, all
agreed the benefits to their literacy programs are limitless.
Consider combining sessions with other schools or districts, to develop
a two - three day residency. Requirements are different than teacher
workshops - please call for fee schedule, and additional set up
requirements.
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Sessions are also available for
home schooling support. Please call to set up a session for your
parent home schooling support group. |
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U-Otter-Read-It is always
looking for team members!
Are you interested in presenting Workshops?
Would you like to join the U-Otter team?
Printable Format: .pdf Apply Here
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U-Otter Read It Publishing
© 2008 U-Otter Read It. All rights
reserved.
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