Writers ARE Readers: Use Reading Structures and Strategies to Nurture More Powerful Writers
What: Professional development opportunity with Lester Laminack, professor emeritus
at Western Carolina University
When & Where: Wednesday, August 17, 2016, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Wells Conference Center, University of Maine
Audience: K-12 educators and administrators
Cost: $200 (continental breakfast and lunch included)
[Download the flyer to register]
To be a good writer you must first be able to read deeply and understand author’s intent. In this workshop, Lester Laminack will show that the key to successful writing is harnessing the power of close reading. You will learn how your students can transfer what they know about reading structures and strategies into practices that will hone their writing skills and help them become more focused writers.
Digging into Detail
We often hear ourselves suggesting to young writers, “add some details.” That suggestion may lead to a loss of focus or confusion. We will explore a collection of texts including narratives, fiction, poetry and an assortment of nonfiction formats to examine the critical role of detail. Digging into details will lead us to deeper understanding of the power of specificity in all writing.
One Book/Many Visits
Explore the potential of revisiting one carefully selected book through focused read aloud experiences across time. Imagine slowing down to explore one book in layers, one layer at a time with a clear focus for each read aloud experience. Lester will take you through the potential of two picture books to demonstrate what can be done with numerous well-‐loved books from your own classroom library.
About Lester Laminack
Lester L. Laminack is Professor Emeritus at Western Carolina University in North
Carolina where he received two awards for excellence in teaching: The Botner Superior Teaching Award and the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award. Lester is now a full-time writer and consultant working with schools throughout the United States. He is an active member of the National Council of Teachers of English and served three years as co-editor of the NCTE journal Primary Voices and as editor of the Children’s Book Review Department of the NCTE journal Language Arts (2003-2006). He also served as a teaching editor for the magazine Teaching K-8 and wrote the “Parent Connection” column (2000-2002). He is a former member of the Whole Language Umbrella Governing Board, a former member of the governing board and secretary of the North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children, and a former member of the board of directors for the Center for the Expansion of Language and Thinking. He served as the basic reading consultant to Literacy Volunteers of America from 1987 through 2001. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Our Children’s Place.
His academic publications include several books including “Learning with Zachary” (Scholastic), “Spelling in Use” (NCTE), “Volunteers Working with Young Readers” (NCTE), and his contributions to “The Writing Workshop: Working Through the Hard Parts” (NCTE), “Learning Under the Influence of Language and Literature” (Heinemann) “Reading Aloud Across the Curriculum” (Heinemann), “Cracking Open the Author’s Craft” (Scholastic) and “Unwrapping the Read Aloud” (Scholastic). In addition he has several articles published in journals such as The Reading Teacher, Early Years, Science and Children, Language Arts, Teaching PreK-8, Primary Voices, and Young Children. Lester is also the author of six children’s books: “The Sunsets of Miss Olivia Wiggins,” “Trevor’s Wiggly-Wobbly Tooth,” “Saturdays and Tea Cakes,” “Jake’s 100th Day of School,” “Snow Day,” and “Three Hens and a Peacock” all from Peachtree Publishers. Lester’s most recent book is “Writers ARE Readers: Use Reading Structures and Strategies to Nurture More Powerful Writers” from Heinemann Publishers.