Teachers across the country have less than two years to revamp their lessons to meet the new core curriculum standards that go into effect for the 2014-15 school year.

The Common Core State Standards, adopted by nearly all states including Ohio and Michigan, is an effort to set consistent and clear education standards that students are expected to learn across the United States.

To help teachers prepare, The University of Toledo Judith Herb College of Education, Health Science and Human Service is hosting a literacy consultant to discuss changes in the writing curriculum standards.

Tammy Rhomberg, a National Literacy Consultant for Zaner-Bloser, will give the free presentation “21st Century Writing to Meet the Common Core State Standards Across the Curriculum: The What, The How, and The Why” at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4 in Nitschke Auditorium on the UT Main Campus.

“Strong K-12 education is important for every person in the community, not just the students and their parents, and The University of Toledo is eager to support efforts to provide students the best education possible,” said Leigh Chiarelott, professor and chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. “There are a great number of changes to the core curriculum standards in order to get every state on the same page and UT is looking forward to helping local teachers update their curriculum accordingly.”

Rhomberg has more than 31 years of educational experience including teaching reading and serving as a reading specialist and reading intervention coordinator. As a national literacy consultant for educational publisher Zaner-Bloser, her focus is to provide professional development to educators across the Midwest.

The two-hour presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session. The writing strategies Rhomberg will present include incorporating the six important traits of effective writing, using rubrics to guide student writing, modeling grade level appropriate anchors, guiding the writing process, embedding grammar and conventions into writing instruction, and engaging students in applying strategies to their own writing.

The presentation is geared toward teachers in grades kindergarten through eight, as well as interventionists and administrators. The event is free but seating is limited. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 28 via email to APD@utoledo.edu.

The UT Judith Herb College of Education, Health Science and Human Service Academy of Professional Development is working with Zaner-Bloser to provide additional professional development opportunities for area teachers in the future.

Tags: College of Education Health Science and Human Service