Focus is on Engaged Literacy for Teachers of 7th – 12th Graders
To succeed in college, students must be able to apply reading and writing skills to a variety of problem-solving tasks across disciplines. For Summer 2008, the University of New Mexico Teachers’ Institute offers two seminars designed to help teachers help their students develop higher-level literate capabilities.
“Reading Critically, Writing Analytically,” with Wanda Martin, associate professor of English, presents strategies for teaching critical reading, analytic writing which is the basis for learning across disciplines. Participants will learn to gather and report on information and arguments; interpret, evaluate, and respond to information and arguments; as well as communicate clearly and logically in a variety of written forms.
The second course, “Pick it Apart: Critical Analysis of Public Policy,” with Kate Krause, associate professor of economics, focuses on answering the question: How do you know what (and whom) to believe about politics, policy and public issues? Public policy debates are played out daily on the op-ed pages of virtually every newspaper, especially in a presidential election year.
In this seminar students will study economic theory and formal rules and tools for argumentation to evaluate arguments presented in campaign literature, on the editorial pages of the local paper and in other media. After critically reading other authors’ works, students will write their own editorials and letters to the editor.
The seminars meet on 12 days over three weeks: June 2-5, 9-12, and 23-26. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Participants must commit to attend all 12 meetings and the Teachers’ Institute will pay a $600 stipend to each participant. The Teachers’ Institute will provide all needed books and materials. Each seminar is available for 1-3 hours of graduate credit at the registrant’s expense.
To apply, visit www.unm.edu/~abqteach, click on the link for the desired seminar and follow the instructions. Admission is competitive, so it’s important to complete the entire application. Enrollment is limited to 12 participants in each seminar. To maximize impact, we prefer teams of two teachers from a school. For best consideration, apply by April 20, however applications will be accepted through May 20 or until all spDavid Brookshire are filled.
For more information, contact Wanda Martin, director, 277-5027, or email wmartin@unm.edu.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; email: cgonzal@unm.edu