University of Michigan School of Education
Adolescent Literacy Symposium
Update: Papers and presentations are now available.
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Language—both oral and written—plays an important role in adolescents’ learning. At University of Michigan and across the nation, educators are grappling with important questions about adolescent literacies: What roles do oral and written language play in knowledge-making across disciplines? How do we address questions of motivation and differing experiences and skill levels among adolescents as they engage in learning? The Office of State and Governmental Relations and the University of Michigan School of Education are co-sponsoring a symposium on adolescent literacy, exploring these questions: Toward the Improvement of Secondary School Teaching and Learning: Integrating Language, Literacy, and Subject Matter, to be held on Monday, March 6, 2006, at the Michigan Union.
The symposium brings together the many different players in the education of preservice teachers on the University of Michigan campus: faculty in the School of Education, in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, inservice teachers who guide and mentor preservice candidates through their field experiences, and teachers and administrators from surrounding school districts. Speakers have been asked to speak both to the preservice teachers and to each other about their views on the role of oral and written language in their disciplinary work.
The morning keynote, looking at the development of literate competence across knowledge domains, will be given by Dr. Patricia Alexander, University of Maryland, followed by breakouts featuring UM disciplinary experts. The afternoon keynote, by Dr. Allan Wigfield, University of Maryland, focusing on motivation and development in adolescence, will be followed by breakouts featuring content area methods scholars. A panel discussion featuring practitioners and a reception will conclude the event.
Toward the Improvement of Secondary School Teaching and Learning: The Interdependence of Language, Literacy, and Subject Matter
Monday, March 6, 2006 Michigan Union, Kuenzel Room
8-8:30 Coffee and Refreshments
8:30-8:40 Welcome & Introductions and Overview of the Day (Kuenzel Room)
Dr. Elizabeth Birr Moje, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Literacy, Language, & Culture
Dr. Helen Harrington, Associate Professor and Faculty Liaison to Teacher Education
8:40-8:55 A Word from the Dean on the Value of Literacy in the Disciplines (Kuenzel Room)
Dr. Deborah Loewenberg Ball, Dean, School of Education
9:00-10:00 Plenary Session 1 (Kuenzel Room)
Introduction
Elizabeth Birr Moje
Developing Literate Competence in the Knowledge Domains
Dr. Patricia Alexander, University of Maryland - Presentation (Adobe PDF) - HTML
10-10:10 Break
10:10-10:55 Breakout Sessions (Concurrent Talks)
Why and How Does Oral and Written Language Matter in Secondary School Social Studies Teaching and Learning?
History—Dr. Robert Bain, Associate Professor of Social Studies Education (Anderson Room) - Presentation (Adobe PDF) - HTML
What is the Role of Oral and Written Language in Making Knowledge in Mathematics?
Math—Dr. Hyman Bass, Professor of Mathematics and Professor of Mathematics Education (Pond Room) - Presentation (Adobe PDF) - HTML
11:00-11:45 Breakout Session (Concurrent Talks)
What is the Role of Oral and Written Language in Making Knowledge in English and the Humanities?
English—Dr. Anne Ruggles Gere, Professor of English and Professor of English Education (Anderson Room) - Presentation (Adobe PDF) - HTML
What is the Role of Oral and Written Language in Making Knowledge in the Natural Sciences?
Science—Dr. Brian Coppola, Professor of Chemistry (Pond Room) - Presentation (Adobe PDF) - HTML
11:45-1:00 Lunch—Greetings from the University of Michigan
1:00-2:00 Afternoon Plenary (Anderson Room)
Introduction
Elizabeth Birr Moje
Motivation and Literate Development in Adolescence
Dr. Allan Wigfield, University of Maryland - Presentation (Adobe PDF) - HTML
2:00-2:10 Break
2:10-2:55 Breakout Session (Concurrent Talks)
What is the Role of Oral and Written Language in Making Knowledge in History?
History—Dr. Terry McDonald, LSA Dean and Professor of History (Anderson Room) - Presentation HTML
What is the Role of Oral and Written Language in Teaching and Learning in Secondary School Mathematics?
Math—Dr. Patricio Herbst, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education (Pond Room)
3:00-3:50 Breakout Session (Concurrent Talks)
What is the Role of Oral and Written Language in Teaching and Learning in Secondary School English Language Arts?
English—Dr. Lesley Rex, Associate Professor of English Education (Anderson Room)
What is the Role of Oral and Written Language in Teaching and Learning in Secondary School Natural Sciences?
Science—Dr. Joseph Krajcik, Professor of Science Education (Pond Room) - Presentation (Adobe PDF) - HTML
3:50-4:00 Break
4:00-5:00 Panel Discussion (Kuenzel Room)
Introduction of Panel of Teachers and Administrators
Elizabeth Birr Moje
Enhancing Adolescent Literacy Development in the Secondary School Subject Matter: Where Do We Go from Here?
Ms. Sharon Floyd, Language Arts Coordinator, Saginaw Public Schools
Ms. Lorene Phillips, Language Arts Coordinator, Pontiac Public Schools
Ms. Lisa Hoffman, Biology and English Teacher, Farmington High School
Ms. Naomi Norman, Washtenaw Intermediate School District
Dr. June Green Rivers, Director of Literacy, Detroit Public Schools
Ms. Laura Schiller, Language Arts Coordinator, Oakland Public Schools
Others to be announced
Moderator: Dr. Deanna Birdyshaw, Director of Secondary Teacher Education Program
5:00-6:00 Reception (Wolverine Room)
