Poetry Matters!
Happy April, ELA educators!
April is National Poetry Month, 30 days of celebrating the joy, expressiveness, and pure delight of poetry. Launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, National Poetry Month reminds the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families, and—of course—poets, marking poetry's important place in our lives. How do you celebrate poetry with your students - not just in April, but all year long?
Resources:
- NCTE Verse - https://ncte.org/resources/online-learning/ncte-verse/
- Poets.org - https://poets.org/national-poetry-month
- Reading Rockets - https://www.readingrockets.org/calendar/poetry
- Read Write Think - https://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/calendar-activities/april-national-poetry-month
Dyslexia Training Grant Update
ADE is pleased to announce the funding of the Dyslexia Designee Grant. This grant provides funds for teachers across Arizona to receive training in reading instruction, how to intensify instruction and supporting learners with reading struggles, including dyslexia. The grant opens April 13, 2022 in the GME system. Funds can be used retroactively to January 1, 2022. Districts/charters can apply for two K-3 educators per school and up to 20 schools per district. The grant is first come, first served and carryover is not allowed. For questions, please reach out to Maggie Velazquez maggie.velazquez@azed.gov.
Early Literacy Grant Reporting for the 2021-22 School Year
K-12 ELA Office Hours
Thursday, April 14, 11am-12pm
This is an online event hosted by the ADE ELA team.
Spring 2022 Quarter Knowledge Blocks Now Available!
Before you register, please watch our Introduction Video to learn more. Each knowledge block recommends a companion text. Please browse the Professional Development webpage for all details.
Summer of Writing Professional Learning Series
Let's get our learning on this summer - all about writing! The summer series, starting June 2nd, is all free and all virtual. Offerings include:
The summer series will include:
- a book study on The Writing Revolution (starts June 2nd - get your book soon!)
- a variety of webinars on Secondary ELA writing topics, including: exploring the three types of writing standards, grammar instruction, and college and career writing
- the opportunity for teachers to participate in the CAWP (Central Arizona Writing Project) Summer Institute through ASU (see more information on CAWP here - Limited slots available, sign up soon!)
Let’s all get our writing learning on this summer!
See flyer for registration links!
Other Upcoming Secondary ELA Opportunities
- Analyzing Propaganda and Media Literacy - presented by the Echoes & Reflections program at SCC. This is one of their most popular programs with English teachers Grades 7-12, "Analyzing Propaganda and Media Literacy," and will culminate Genocide Awareness Week. The program is free, and includes breakfast and lunch, as well as a certificate for seat hours. Sign up soon! Limited space.
- ASU Chaucer Celebration - The events of the Eighth Biennial ASU Chaucer Celebration are happening in April - including a screening of "A Knight’s Tale" (you can bring your class with you!) on Thursday, April 7, at 4:30pm in ASU's Marston Theater. There will be a discussion afterwards featuring the film critic, Keith Phipps, author of Age of Cage.
News from AETA
The Arizona English Teachers' Association (AETA) offers events and professional learning for all English teachers in Arizona, including monthly webinars, a newsletter, and a journal.
April News:
- 2022 AETA Conference - "I Change Myself, I Change the World: Stories of Hope, Change, & Light" will take place September 24, 2022 - Call for Proposals, due June 1, 2022
- Journal - AETA is calling for journal submissions for their Fall journal. The submission deadline is June 30
- Partnership with AZ Humanities - Arizona Humanities is excited to announce a new initiative to launch innovative and engaging literacy programs in K-12 schools in Arizona. More information on this Literacy Inititative here
- OCA K-12 Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Lesson Plan Focus Group -Teachers would be asked to make a five-hour commitment to help review AAPI lesson plans. Participants receive a $150 gift card of their choice for their participation. More information and sign up!
2022 El Día De Los Niños / El Día De Los Libros
ASU is pleased to invite you and your students to join us at Día De Los Niños / Día De Los Libros, which will be held FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022. This will be held virtually from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. MST and we would love to invite you and your classes to attend! If you would like to attend, please REGISTER HERE. There will be an amazing lineup of children's and young adult authors scheduled to speak live, engage with and answer student questions. Our author speakers include Cynthia Leitich Smith, Matt Mendez, Meg Medina, Mark Oshiro, and Kekla Magoon. Teachers will also have access to plenty of pre-recorded workshops created by various authors, illustrators and storytellers. And there will also be a student writing contest!
Terminology
Our next section is titled Terminology The International Literacy Association's Literacy Glossary provides a collection of terms necessary to aide your critical discussion on literacy research and instruction. Navigate your way through this section of our webpage to learn more about these important terms.
