Adolescents’ Literacy Instruction: A Strengths-Based Approach

Dr. Sarah Lupo, Presenter

Dates:                                                                                                                                                       December 7, 2022 – in person     9 am – 3:30 pm                                                           *January  10, 2023 - virtual 3:30 – 4:45 pm                                                                                     *February 7, 2023 - virtual 3:30 – 4:45 pm

Target Audience: Grades 5-12 Teachers, Interventionists, Coaches, Curriculum Leaders, Special Educators & Admin

What do adolescent learners who aren’t meeting literacy benchmarks need? This research-based workshop will focus on how to assess and determine literacy needs for students in grades 5-12, including determining if they need foundational literacy skills instruction as well as how to support weak comprehension and vocabulary knowledge. Using a MTSS, participants will learn how to develop instructional strategies to ensure success across ELA and content area classes. Additionally, the presenter will share the latest research and trends in rethinking supplementary literacy interventions at the secondary level that will empower as well as support learners in their literacy growth.

Dr. Lupo will take a strengths-based approach to evaluating and building on adolescents’ literacy skills. Participants will explore how to evaluate secondary learners’ current skills, and then focus on how to leverage their strengths to bolster their comprehension and vocabulary skills, thereby improving their literacy skills in an age-appropriate way.

2 Virtual Follow-Up Sessions from 3:30 – 4:45 pm

January 10, 2023

Review and Application: Assessment and Foundational Skills

After session 1, participants will be asked to assess a student or two and try a foundational skills (i.e., fluency) activity to improve a students’ foundational skills. This session will briefly review the topics of assessment and foundational skills and then have participants share out their assessments and reflect on the foundational skills activity they tried. The facilitator will answer questions and provide feedback

February 7, 2023

Review and Application: Comprehension Supports

After session 1, participants will be asked to try 2-3 activities that support adolescents’ comprehension, for example, a vocabulary strategy or a write to learn technique. This session will briefly review the topic of comprehension and how to support it and then have participants reflect on the comprehension support activity they tried. The facilitator will answer questions and provide feedback.

Dates: December 7, 2022 – in person 9 am – 3:30 pm

Follow Ups:

January 10, 2023- virtual 3:30 – 4:45 pm

February 7, 2023- virtual 3:30 – 4:45 pm

Location: Hampton Inn, Colchester VT and Zoom for follow-ups

Cost: Member: $450.00 Non-member: $550.00

*Includes in-person breakfast and lunch.

Participants will walk away with:

• Specific strategies to support adolescent literacy development both in content areas (ELA, math, science, social studies) or intervention blocks

• Several articles and knowledge/research on supporting older readers

Dr. Sarah Lupo is an Assistant Professor at James Madison Univ. who has extensive teaching experience as an ESL teacher, English teacher, reading specialist, and literacy coach in grades K-12 in Washington D.C., Istanbul, Turkey, Phoenix, AZ, and Charlottesville, VA. She has worked with many districts to support literacy instruction across Virginia and nationwide.