U-46 tenth grade language arts teachers worked to develop an intensive writing curriculum as a part of new state requirements. Ken Stamatis, well-known literacy expert, met with high school teachers to share his expertise and experiences.  

While he may have been talking to tenth grade teachers, what he had to say about engaging students and literacy instruction relates to every classroom in the district. Stamatis challenged teachers to create an environment in their classrooms that encourages students to become life-long reader and writers.  To create a culture that results in students having the desire to become life-long learners – the goal of education. And isn’t making a difference in students’ lives and futures the reason many of us became educators?

Every teacher, at every level has worked to engage students who have given up on learning. It is important to remember, that disengaged students did not suddenly appear in high school classrooms. Every teacher has worked to try to keep that student from becoming a “lifer”* – someone who, because of difficulties with reading, never fully participates in life and just gets by. Every day teachers have the opportunity to create a stimulating environment in order to foster life-long learning.

You can listen to Ken Stamatis speak on how to engaging reluctant students, and what can be done to keep them from being trapped in a cycle of failure due to fear, negativity, and struggles with reading and writing. He also examines ways to further motivate already successful students.

Ken Stamatis in U-46 Videos
To view video of Ken Stamatis introduction click here video 1
To learn more about Developing  a Literacy Culture click here  
To understand the Practice Reading Cycle click here
For Q & A session with Ken Stamatis on reading and writing click here

*A term from the book Lifers: Learning from At-Risk Adolescent Readers

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