Presented by Dr. Steven L. Layne  Bestselling Author and Popular Literacy Educator

About the Seminar: Steven Layne is passionate about building lifetime readers, and he wants to share his vision with every teacher who’s willing to listen. As a classroom teacher with over fifteen years of experience in the public schools, Steve has faced those same reluctant “turned-off-to-books” readers that sit listlessly in your language arts classroom and wander aimlessly through your school library. If you’re looking for practical and exciting ways to turn those kids around—this seminar has effective answers. Steve describes this seminar as “Part 2” of his nationally acclaimed seminar: Igniting a Passion for Reading.

Join Steve as he prepares teachers of grades 5-9 to return to their classrooms ready to bring the magic of reading alive for more kids than ever before. Discover how to use student-developed reading plans, initiate a “First Read Club” in your classroom or library, excite kids with dynamic writing assignments in response to great books, introduce a Golden Recommendation Shelf, teach kids to profile key characters, prepare for a censorship attempt, and much more! Get ready for reading to become more exciting than ever before—in your classroom!

What You Will Learn:

• Research studies to cite in support of vocabulary acquisition as a key benefit of reading aloud
• Steve’s Relevant Read Strategy -- to promote deeper reading of text
• The best new titles for middle-grade students from 2005-2006
• Ready-to-Use writing prompts and activities to engage students in great books
• Journaling strategies that breathe new life into books
• Motivational strategies that engage students in books
• Effective plans to promote reading goals and decrease paperwork
• Necessary components of an effective censorship policy
• Management techniques for handling a book challenge

Program Highlights

Best Practice

• Research says – Reading Aloud linked to Vocabulary Acquisition
• Book Chats in multiple narrative style to commercialize reading
• Steve’s Stars: Ten 2005-2006 titles Steve says are great for middle-grade students
• Resources for locating best books for teens

Dynamic Written Responses

• Free write topics for some of Steve’s favorite new titles
• Reading Guides for an effective chapter-by-chapter approach
• Character Journals and guidelines to make them effective
• Dialogue Journals with surprise partners
• Poetic response to books
• Relevant Reads teach kids to read deeply

Motivational Strategies

• “Read Arounds” to promote multiple books quickly
• Golden Recommendation Shelf draws on teacher/student rapport
• Reading Plans to put students in charge of managing time for reading
• First Read Club to honor avid readers and entice reluctant readers
• Reading goals – attainable and easy-to-track
• Components of successful visits by authors for teen readers

Effectively Managing a Book Challenge

• Recognize the kind of books most often challenged
• Prepare for a book challenge in advance
• Review components of an excellent school district censorship policy
• Educate school personnel about potential consequences of being unprepared for a challenge
• Discover organizations that can effectively assist you in a challenge situation