Are you interested in any Canadian editors for your board?
Sylvia P.

 
-----Original Message-----
From: focusonbasics-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:focusonbasics-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of focusonbasics-request at nifl.gov
Sent: April 12, 2006 11:00 AM
To: focusonbasics at nifl.gov
Subject: FocusOnBasics Digest, Vol 7, Issue 7

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Today's Topics:

   1. [FocusOnBasics 209]  Using FOB / Editorial Board (Barbara Garner)
   2. [FocusOnBasics 210] Re: Discussion Starts Today: FOB
      Evaluation	Results (Nancy McKeand)
   3. [FocusOnBasics 211]  Using FOB (Missy Slaathaug)
   4. [FocusOnBasics 212] Re: Using FOB (Barbara Garner)
   5. [FocusOnBasics 213] Re: Discussion Starts Today: FOB Evaluati
      on	Results (dharting)
   6. [FocusOnBasics 214] Re: Using FOB (Sarah Beaman-Jones)
   7. [FocusOnBasics 215]  FOB Evaluation (Colletti, Cyndy)
   8. [FocusOnBasics 216] Re: Using FOB (Barbara Garner)
   9. Re: [FocusOnBasics 215] ?FOB Evaluation (Barbara Garner)
  10. [FocusOnBasics 218] Re: Using FOB / Editorial Board
      (Varshna Narumanchi-Jackson)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 11:35:09 -0500 (CDT)
From: Barbara Garner <b.garner4 at verizon.net>
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 209]  Using FOB / Editorial Board
To: focusonbasics at nifl.gov
Message-ID:
	<33154974.99691144773309098.JavaMail.root at vms073.mailsrvcs.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Not a lot of folks (none...) jumping in to the discussion about the
evaluation of "Focus on Basics..."

The evaluation documented the many ways folks use the publication. Which
issue did you use most recently. How, and why?

Barb Garner
Editor, FOB

(PS, thanks to those who have come forth for the next editorial board. I'm
still taking names and will get back to everyone at the end of the week.
Oklahoma, Michigan, Delaware, you've been underrepresented...Is there anyone
on the list who from those states interested in joining the editorial
board?)


------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 13:14:49 -0500
From: "Nancy McKeand" <nancy.mckeand at gmail.com>
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 210] Re: Discussion Starts Today: FOB
	Evaluation	Results
To: "The Focus on Basics Discussion List" <focusonbasics at nifl.gov>
Message-ID:
	<2e8319bb0604111114s7836569ax1591dda4cfdeeee0 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I'm glad you asked about the illustrations, Barb, because I really liked
them.  The Lab School drawing on the cover of 8A is quite clever!  I like,
too, how Mary included some of the actual vocabulary that was discussed in
the articles in the drawings.

I think that the artwork is a real nice touch.  It makes FOB seem more
accessible, more inviting.

Nancy McKeand
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Message: 3
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:32:47 -0500
From: "Missy Slaathaug" <mslaathaug at midco.net>
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 211]  Using FOB
To: <b.garner4 at verizon.net>,	"'The Focus on Basics Discussion List'"
	<focusonbasics at nifl.gov>
Message-ID: <000901c65d9e$b6c2e640$060ac90a at explorit3>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

I like this publication very much.  I read all the issues and find them
useful and informative.  The last article I used actively was Robin
Schwarz' article on the struggling ESL learner.  We asked our new
teachers to read it prior to their New Teacher Training.  It was a great
article that generated a lot of discussion and hopefully raised the
level of awareness of these potential learner problems.  Keep up the
good work.  

Missy Slaathaug
ESL Technical Resource
South Dakota
mslaathaug at midco.net


-----Original Message-----
From: focusonbasics-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:focusonbasics-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Barbara Garner
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 11:35 AM
To: focusonbasics at nifl.gov
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 209] Using FOB / Editorial Board

Not a lot of folks (none...) jumping in to the discussion about the
evaluation of "Focus on Basics..."

The evaluation documented the many ways folks use the publication. Which
issue did you use most recently. How, and why?

Barb Garner
Editor, FOB

(PS, thanks to those who have come forth for the next editorial board.
I'm still taking names and will get back to everyone at the end of the
week. Oklahoma, Michigan, Delaware, you've been underrepresented...Is
there anyone on the list who from those states interested in joining the
editorial board?)
----------------------------------------------------
National Institute for Literacy
Focus on Basics mailing list
FocusOnBasics at nifl.gov
To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to
http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics



------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 14:50:47 -0500 (CDT)
From: Barbara Garner <b.garner4 at verizon.net>
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 212] Re: Using FOB
To: Missy Slaathaug <mslaathaug at midco.net>, b.garner4 at verizon.net,
	'The Focus on Basics Discussion List' <focusonbasics at nifl.gov>
Message-ID:
	<7414113.232101144785047308.JavaMail.root at vms063.mailsrvcs.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Thanks, Missy,,,
That struggling ESOL learner article really struck a chord. 

When you've been working in a field---any field---for awhile, it's easy to
forget how much you actually have learned and apply on a day-to-day basis.
Robin's article seems to have reminded us that new staff, or experienced
staff working with new types of learners, need information that may have
become second nature to some.

What other articles to folks use with new teachers, and why?
Barb

From: Missy Slaathaug <mslaathaug at midco.net>
Date: Tue Apr 11 14:32:47 CDT 2006
To: b.garner4 at verizon.net, 
	'The Focus on Basics Discussion List' <focusonbasics at nifl.gov>
Subject: Using FOB

I like this publication very much.  I read all the issues and find them
useful and informative.  The last article I used actively was Robin
Schwarz' article on the struggling ESL learner.  We asked our new
teachers to read it prior to their New Teacher Training.  It was a great
article that generated a lot of discussion and hopefully raised the
level of awareness of these potential learner problems.  Keep up the
good work.  

Missy Slaathaug
ESL Technical Resource
South Dakota
mslaathaug at midco.net


-----Original Message-----
From: focusonbasics-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:focusonbasics-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Barbara Garner
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 11:35 AM
To: focusonbasics at nifl.gov
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 209] Using FOB / Editorial Board

Not a lot of folks (none...) jumping in to the discussion about the
evaluation of "Focus on Basics..."

The evaluation documented the many ways folks use the publication. Which
issue did you use most recently. How, and why?

Barb Garner
Editor, FOB

(PS, thanks to those who have come forth for the next editorial board.
I'm still taking names and will get back to everyone at the end of the
week. Oklahoma, Michigan, Delaware, you've been underrepresented...Is
there anyone on the list who from those states interested in joining the
editorial board?)
----------------------------------------------------
National Institute for Literacy
Focus on Basics mailing list
FocusOnBasics at nifl.gov
To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to
http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics



------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 15:47:13 -0400
From: dharting <dharting at proliteracy.org>
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 213] Re: Discussion Starts Today: FOB Evaluati
	on	Results
To: 'The Focus on Basics Discussion List' <focusonbasics at nifl.gov>
Message-ID: <24C87A21440F3A4B94ED4594298D45F304B89A at hardy>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi Barb:
 
I like the illustrations, too. I particularly liked the one from September
2003 that showed authentic materials like invoices and soup cans flying in
the window. Or were they flying out the window??
 
I also liked the way you used portions of the cover illustration inside the
publication to send visual cues that the inside article was related to the
cover story.
 
You're right: it's always a creative challenge to illustrate an abstract
concept in a concrete manner. The recently released NAAL is a good example.
We're blessed to have a talented and creative graphic artist on our staff
who helps us with these kinds of challenges.
 
Our survey research from the summer of 2005 revealed a high level of respect
for your publication among literacy field workers, esp. program managers.
Congratulations!
 
Don Harting
ProLiteracy America
Syracuse, New York
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Nancy McKeand [mailto:nancy.mckeand at gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 2:15 PM
To: The Focus on Basics Discussion List
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 210] Re: Discussion Starts Today: FOB Evaluation
Results



I'm glad you asked about the illustrations, Barb, because I really liked
them.  The Lab School drawing on the cover of 8A is quite clever!  I like,
too, how Mary included some of the actual vocabulary that was discussed in
the articles in the drawings.    

I think that the artwork is a real nice touch.  It makes FOB seem more
accessible, more inviting.  

Nancy McKeand




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Message: 6
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 15:51:39 -0500
From: Sarah Beaman-Jones <sbeaman at webster.edu>
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 214] Re: Using FOB
To: b.garner4 at verizon.net,	The Focus on Basics Discussion List
	<focusonbasics at nifl.gov>
Message-ID: <a06210201c061c6acc309@[10.10.138.248]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

This summer I will be leading a workshop for 
experienced adult educators.  They have four 
hours of activities assigned before the workshop. 
As part of the reading assignment, they can 
select one of four articles:
To find the articles, go to 
http://www.ncsall.net/index.php?id=167 and select 
either

What Silent Reading Tests alone Can't Tell you
or
There's Reading?..And Then There's Reading

These articles are about reading in general.  If 
you want to read more specifically on first level 
readers, go to 
http://www.ncsall.net/index.php?id=147 and select 
either

Techniques for Teaching Beginning-Level Reading to Adults
			or
Reading for Pleasure

BTW, there is no reason you can't read all four 
or even the entire issue if you get involved.

As you read the article, code the test in the following manner:

=   I agree
X  I thought differently
+   New information
!    WOW
?   I don't get it
*   I know this is important

[INSERT system "Interactive Notational System for 
Effective Reading and Thinking" from Vaughn & 
Estes, 1986]


After completing the reading, please complete a 
short reflection piece.  In one or two 
paragraphs, describe the main ideas of the 
article your read and your reaction to  them.
In one or two paragraphs, describe your experience using the INSERT system.

-- 
Sarah Beaman-Jones
Literacy Program Developer
LIFT-Missouri
815 Olive Street, Suite 22
St. Louis, MO 63101
1-800-729-4443 
1-314-678-4443 ext. 206
1-314-678-2938 [fax]
http://lift-missouri.org
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Message: 7
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 16:17:24 -0500
From: "Colletti, Cyndy" <CColletti at ILSOS.NET>
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 215]  FOB Evaluation
To: "The Focus on Basics Discussion List" <focusonbasics at nifl.gov>
Message-ID: <96DF6DA6D4E9A946B7D02E762CED51580393E24E at exc01.ilsos.net>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="iso-8859-1"

FOB has always intrigued me because it's on top of the challenges that
teachers and tutors face in classrooms across the country.  Once we were
discussing the reasons that students go on or do not go on to other
educational pursuits.  Soon I saw that the next issue of FOB would cover
"Transitions."  This field is widely diverse and often isolated from each
other and from a sense of itself as a field.  FOB is a unifying force as it
presents the latest research and relates that research right to the
instructional setting. In my job as a state level coordinator, I publicize
each and every issue so that practitioners can use the information presented
in the articles.  When I survey practitioners about what they need, I always
hear, "Something I can use tomorrow."  Well, FOB has always provided just
that.

Cyndy Colletti


------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 20:47:14 -0500 (CDT)
From: Barbara Garner <b.garner4 at verizon.net>
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 216] Re: Using FOB
To: Sarah Beaman-Jones <sbeaman at webster.edu>, b.garner4 at verizon.net,
	The Focus on Basics Discussion List <focusonbasics at nifl.gov>
Message-ID:
	<24742110.266251144806434989.JavaMail.root at vms071.mailsrvcs.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Sarah, 
Thanks for your thorough explanation of one way to use articles from "Focus
on Basics." (And thanks for bringing the
insert system to my attention: it's new to me and quite intriguing.)

Has anyone else used those articles for professional development? How did
you use them? Do you have any suggestions for Sarah?

Barb Garner

From: Sarah Beaman-Jones <sbeaman at webster.edu>
Date: Tue Apr 11 15:51:39 CDT 2006
To: b.garner4 at verizon.net, 
	The Focus on Basics Discussion List <focusonbasics at nifl.gov>
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 214] Re: Using FOB

Re: Using FOBThis summer I will be leading a workshop for experienced
adulteducators.? They have four hours of activities assigned beforethe
workshop.? As part of the reading assignment, they can selectone of four
articles:To find the articles, go tohttp://www.ncsall.net/index.php?id=167
and select either

What Silent Reading Tests alone Can't Tell you
or
There's Reading?..And Then There's Reading

These articles are about reading in general.? If you want toread more
specifically on first level readers, go
tohttp://www.ncsall.net/index.php?id=147 and select either

Techniques for Teaching Beginning-Level Reading to Adults
????????????????????or
Reading for Pleasure
BTW, there is no reason you can't read allfour or even the entire issue if
you get involved.
As you read the article, code the test inthe following manner:
=?? I agree
X? I thought differently
+?? New information
!??? WOW
??? I don't get it
*?? I know this is important

[INSERT system "Interactive Notational System for Effective Readingand
Thinking" from Vaughn & Estes, 1986]


After completing the reading, please complete a short reflectionpiece.? In
one or two paragraphs, describe the main ideas of thearticle your read and
your reaction to? them.
In one or two paragraphs, describe your experience using the INSERTsystem.
--Sarah Beaman-Jones
Literacy Program Developer
LIFT-Missouri
815 Olive Street, Suite 22
St. Louis, MO 63101
1-800-729-4443?
1-314-678-4443 ext. 206
1-314-678-2938 [fax]
http://lift-missouri.org

----------------------------------------------------
National Institute for Literacy
Focus on Basics mailing list
FocusOnBasics at nifl.gov
To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to
http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics



------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 20:52:39 -0500 (CDT)
From: Barbara Garner <b.garner4 at verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [FocusOnBasics 215] ?FOB Evaluation
To: "Colletti, Cyndy" <CColletti at ILSOS.NET>,	The Focus on Basics
	Discussion List <focusonbasics at nifl.gov>
Message-ID:
	<7501858.267731144806759429.JavaMail.root at vms071.mailsrvcs.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

One of the themes that is emerging in this discussion is how professional
development providers serve as a conduit, introducing teachers to the
publication and to particular articles.

If you're a teacher, how did you find out about "Focus on Basics"?
If you're a professional development provider, does your experience bear
this out: do you introduce teacher to FOB?

And if we are able to find additional funding and continue publishing beyond
8C, where should we put our dissemination energy? Into reaching professional
development providers, assuming they will introduce teachers to FOB? Or
should we focus marketing efforts on teachers? Thoughts?

Barb Garner
Editor
From: "Colletti, Cyndy" <CColletti at ILSOS.NET>
Date: Tue Apr 11 16:17:24 CDT 2006
To: The Focus on Basics Discussion List <focusonbasics at nifl.gov>
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 215]  FOB Evaluation

FOB has always intrigued me because it's on top of the challenges that
teachers and tutors face in classrooms across the country.  Once we were
discussing the reasons that students go on or do not go on to other
educational pursuits.  Soon I saw that the next issue of FOB would cover
"Transitions."  This field is widely diverse and often isolated from each
other and from a sense of itself as a field.  FOB is a unifying force as it
presents the latest research and relates that research right to the
instructional setting. In my job as a state level coordinator, I publicize
each and every issue so that practitioners can use the information presented
in the articles.  When I survey practitioners about what they need, I always
hear, "Something I can use tomorrow."  Well, FOB has always provided just
that.

Cyndy Colletti
----------------------------------------------------
National Institute for Literacy
Focus on Basics mailing list
FocusOnBasics at nifl.gov
To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to
http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/focusonbasics



------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2006 21:08:18 -0500
From: Varshna Narumanchi-Jackson <varshna at grandecom.net>
Subject: [FocusOnBasics 218] Re: Using FOB / Editorial Board
To: "b.garner4 at verizon.net, The Focus on Basics Discussion List"
	<focusonbasics at nifl.gov>
Message-ID: <C061CB42.983C%varshna at grandecom.net>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="US-ASCII"


Dear Barb:

The usefulness of FOB is, in my opinion, the result of the variety of the
articles and topics offered.  Just as there isn't a single recipe for
success in the classroom, what one benefits from in order to grow depends on
the different perspectives brought to the profession.  And I think that
you've done a good job of balancing the dynamic between research and
practice.  It's hard to document the transition from one realm to another,
but I think FOB strikes a balanced review to offer to academics and
classroom professionals alike.

I must confess that I don't have a lot of time to read these days, but I do
enjoy being able to access electronic copies.  It is definitely a website I
will continue to bookmark!

Thanks, Varshna.
--------------
Varshna Jackson
Austin, TX

PS. It was really a pleasure to serve on the editorial board -- very
stimulating and good company!




------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------
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End of FocusOnBasics Digest, Vol 7, Issue 7
*******************************************