• Clarify the theory behind the topic and how it relates to Balanced Literacy
• Review ways in which technology can assist in the process
• Take part in a sample balanced literacy lesson using technology
• Deconstruct the lesson
• Explore available technologies particular to the topic
• Share experiences from NYC classrooms

Introductory Workshops:

An Overview: Balanced Literacy and Technology (3 hours)
Workshop I Agenda

Questions to consider before the workshop:

• What is your definition of balanced literacy?
• Were you engaged in doing balanced literacy prior to these changes in the district?
• What parts of balanced literacy work well for you?
• What parts have you not yet been able to implement or have had problems with implementing?
• How can technology improve your balanced literacy program?
• What questions do you have from your training?

Independent Writing with Technology (3 hours)
Workshop II Agenda

Questions to consider before the workshop:

• Do you currently do independent writing?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your independent writing program?
• What are your areas of strength? Weakness?
• How can technology improve your independent writing program?
• If you do not have an independent writing component, what are you most worried about in implementing one?

Independent Reading with Technology (3 hours)
Workshop III Agenda

Questions to consider before the workshop:

• Do you currently do independent reading?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your independent reading program?
• What are your areas of strength? Weakness?
• How can technology improve your independent reading program?
• If you do not have an independent reading component, what are you most worried about in implementing one?

Guided and Shared Writing with Technology (3 hours)
Workshop IV Agenda

Questions to consider before the workshop:

• Do you currently use other writing activities such as guided, shared, interactive, or modeled writing?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your writing program?
• What are your areas of strength? Weakness?
• How can technology improve your guided writing program?
• If you do not use these writing activities, what are you most worried about in implementing them?

Guided and Shared Reading with Technology (3 hours)
Workshop V Agenda

Questions to consider before the workshop:

• Do you currently do guided reading?
• On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your guided reading program?
• What are your areas of strength? Weakness?
• How can technology improve your guided and shared reading program?
• If you do not have an guided reading component, what are you most worried about in implementing one?

Phonics and Word Work with Technology (3 hours)
Workshop VI Agenda

Questions to consider before the workshop:

• What is phonemic awareness?
• What is phonics?
• How are they different?
• Why are they important in teaching reading?
• What does a phonics program like Month-by-Month phonics do?
• How do you teach phonics currently?
• How can technology improve your phonics program?
• Do you feel confident about teaching phonics as a part of balanced literacy?

Advanced Workshops:

Workshop One: Going Deeper into Balanced Literacy, Reading, and Technology (3 hours)
Workshop One Agenda

Questions to consider before the workshop:

• What do you know about how reading comprehension works? How to scaffold it in your classroom?
• How can technology be used to support reading comprehension?
• How can we support reading comprehension that uses technology?
• What is involved with understanding texts online?
• How do visual elements of texts interact with words?
• What do links, sound, and color have to do with reading online?

Workshop Two: Going Deeper into Balanced Literacy, Reading, and Technology (3 hours)
Workshop Two Agenda