Hello Friends.

In this edition of WinkWorld, I am including a couple more abstracts of students who finished their theses in May. I also am including a little recap of a trip I made to UNC Pembroke. In addition, Terry Becker shares a description of GLAD, a pedagogical process, which I admire. Denise Hurd shares an online map of languages spoken by ZIP code. Finally, Prairie Pedagogy returns with some tiny summaries of our life here on the ranch in June.

Please remember that we are adding to the collection of websites. See:
http://www.JoanWink.com/itt/diversity.php
http://www.JoanWink.com/itt/students.php
http://www.JoanWink.com/itt/history.php
http://www.JoanWink.com/itt/reflection.php
http://www.JoanWink.com/itt/justice.php

Abstract by Vicky Murphy, Vmurphy334@aol.com
Title: A Site-Based Staff Development Model for K-3 Teachers This project documented the site-based professional development of K-3 teachers of literacy and provided a handbook for continued learning. The participants were teachers from a rural school in the central valley of California. All participants received instruction in California Early Literacy Learning (CELL). CELL provided professional development which helped teachers strengthen their teaching of reading and writing. Observations and field records indicated that collaborative professional development conducted in a classroom context can be a powerful manner to explore changing teaching practices. However, reform is difficult to sustain. Implications of the current project as well as suggestions for future research were discussed.

Abstract by Andrea Katotakis, katotakis@aol.com
Title: The Effect of Parental Involvement Through Interactive Homework Packets on Reading Scores The purpose of this study was to determine whether consistent parental involvement affected the reading levels of children. This study examined whether reading scores improved for those students in the researcher's classroom who completed interactive, family-centered homework packets with their parents. The study also looked at the students' motivation towards reading by the use of surveys before and after the administration of the homework packets. This study shows the affect parental involvement had on reading scores and students' motivation towards reading. The data presented in this research points to a strong relationship between parental involvement and reading achievement of students. Participation of parents resulted in a positive academic outcome for their children.

University of North Carolina PEMBROKE
This month I went to UNC PEMBROKE to work with the principals and superintendents who have recently graduated from their administrative program. The group also included teachers who were focused on the philosophy of education. During the day we had many good conversations about the place of (a) conversation/dialogue, (b) love, and (c) a critical perspective in teaching and learning.
See http://www.JoanWink.com/sched.php

While in NC, I was also able to visit my dear friend, Janet, in her new mountain home in the northeastern part of the state. Spectacular. We at CSU are sad to be losing her to Florida Atlantic and wish her the very best.

GLAD: What is it?
The Guided Language Acquisition Design
Project GLAD stands for and promotes an educational setting that produces effective, literate citizens of a global society. It is a model of respect for diversity not only in language and ethnicity, but, also in thinking, learning, and personal experiences. It provides support for teachers and students alike to face change and success effectively and confidently. Check out more about GLAD at http://www.projectglad.com Thanks to Terry Becker of San Mateo County Office of Education. Terry_Becker@sccoe.org

Online Map of Languages Spoken by ZIP Code The Modern Language Association web site features a searchable tool to display the locations and numbers of speakers of 30 languages and seven groups of less commonly spoken languages in the United States. The Language Map illustrates the density of language speakers in zip codes and counties. http://www.mla.org/census_main
Thanks to Denise of Cyber Connect Techs for this web site. Denise is the person who maintains my web pages.