Workshop: Reading Strategies Across the Curriculum

By: Dr. William T. Fagan

On December 11, 2000, the principal, counsellor, and teachers from Holy Trinity High School, Hearts Content met to examine reading strategies across the curriculum. Dr. William T. Fagan, Past Chair, Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, was the workshop facilitator. The school staff recognized that students at the junior and senior high school levels are not always reading at a level encounter reading across all school subjects and if an impact is to be made on helping students, then all teachers much be aware of how they can support the students' reading in their particular subject areas. Dr. Fagan introduced a number of reading strategies, which were then analyzed in terms of how they could be incorporated into various subject areas. Staff brought along texts used in various subject areas at the different grade levels so that the application of the strategy could be made directly to the subject area. The principal and staff of Holy Trinity High, Heart's imageContent are to be commended for their proactive approach in supporting the reading needs of students at their school.

Working on finding the right answers

By: Michelle Brown

For anyone working in community economic development in Newfoundland and Labrador, words like partnerships, networking, and community capacity building are buzzwords. But how can you put these words into practice, making it realistic for local people and organizations in our communities? Random North Development Association in Economic Zone 15 might have an answer.

When the Northern Cod Moratorium was announced in 1992, it was a turning point in the lives of many men and women involved in the fishery. Many had to reassess their lives, examine career options outside the industry and consider the possibility of returning to school. This was an excellent opportunity for the Random North Development Association to become actively involved in helping improve their communities by developing the strengths of the people through listening to their needs and real-life situations. Through numerous kitchen table and community hall meetings, the Development Association concluded that many individuals acknowledged the importance of receiving a high school completion certificate, but their first priority was to find stable employment.

The answer to addressing this need was to form strong partnerships with other community stakeholders, industry, labour, government departments, and educational providers to design a concept that would bridge the gap from education to employment. A working model was developed and tested through a pilot project with a business that was expanding in the region. The pilot was successful in providing employment opportunities for nine people, increasing their academic and workplace skills, and making them more productive employees for the company.

The future goal of the Development Association and their partners is to expand this concept and network with other regions in Newfoundland and Labrador. If this concept interests you, please check out our website at www.bridginggaps.com, contact Michelle Brown imageat (709) 466-1725 or the Literacy Development Council at
1-800-563-1111.

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