Vocabulary instruction and word study begins with a delight in language. If we can help students pay attention to and get excited about the discovery of new words, they will be well on their way to building new vocabulary and reading skills. In addition, their writing improves. Students learn that the right word in the right place at the right time can make all the difference in the quality of their drafts in writer's workshop.

In this session, we'll explore how word play and word study can be integrated into reader's and writer's workshop through the use of children's literature. Topics we'll tackle include:

• Best read alouds for different types of word study;
• Ways to connect read aloud to word play and word study;
• Minilessons for writer's workshop that connect words and craft;
• Sample word study activities from K-5 classrooms;
• Recordkeeping forms that link writer's workshop and word learning; and
• Examples of integrating word learning and conferring with individual students.

Participants will receive a resource folder with many print articles and templates, as well as the Choice Literacy Word Work Sampler, a DVD with examples of word learning from K-6 classrooms across the country. You can preview footage from the DVD in the player:

This workshop will be lead by Franki Sibberson, author of many books and DVDs, and a frequent contributor to Choice Literacy. Franki has worked as a literacy specialist, curriculum coordinator, literacy coach, classroom teacher, and school librarian in the Dublin, Ohio schools.

Testimonials from participants in Franki Sibberson's workshops last year: 

This workshop was exactly what I was looking for to improve my reading instruction!  Wonderful tips with fabulous books given to us that I will use in my classroom right away.  What a wonderful surprise.

                                                            Deb Hanewich

Franki did a great job connecting fiction and nonfiction units to themes, inferring, predicting, etc.  I loved the giveaways of books to take back and use.

                                                       Lisa Altham-Hickey

Franki has me chomping at the bit to get back to school and get started.  I loved the explanation of how planning should be done - how it makes sense and the lack of numbers or graphs needed to do it.

                                                                     Pat Geller

Truthfully, I'd go to any Choice Literacy Workshop.  Every one is fabulous - I still can't get over how many lovely "prizes" you give out.  A million thanks for a wonderful day.

                                                      Betsy Joseph

fantastic It was all wonderful - great pace, presenter, good variety, so helpful.  Thank you!

                                               Beverly Gallagher

Choice Literacy is such an exciting group of professionals - having real lessons shared, and seeing the videos of the ideas in action was invaluable.  What amazing treats and books!

                                                     Jennifer Peacock

I love being able to hear leaders in the literacy field share - these are the people I looking up to, and read their books and blogs.  The workshop is so helpful with ideas teachers can take and use right away, but we also receive many ideas for reflection.

                                                             Diane Donat

This workshop was very fast-paced and extremely helpful.  I had only heard great things about Franki and expected it to be a terrific day - and it was!

                                                     Kathy Provost

Franki explained step by step how to expand our teaching with a particular strategy using different books and minilessons, moving from simple to more complex strategies.  Franki is so informative, funny, and you can tell she loves what she does.  What an outstanding workshop!  So much information and wonderful gifts.

                                                              Debbie Dailey

This is my second Choice Literacy workshop and both were fabulous.  Franki was great!

                                               Andrea Bell

Franki's vast knowledge of books, her energy, her up to date research. . .it all made the day fly by.  She makes me pause and think in new ways about my teaching.

                                            Mary Johnson