In Methods and Seminar, we discuss a range of topics pertinent to teaching in the secondary classroom.  As you can imagine, there is much to explore, read, and consider in the range of topics related to pedagogy.  Throughout the semester, you have the opportunity to broaden your awareness of the ongoing dialogues in teaching and learning.  You have subscribed to the English Journal now through NCTE.  It will provide you with specific teaching ideas as well as an understanding of current issues in the profession. 

For this assignment, you will be filling another “gap” in your preparation for teaching.  Choose an area in teaching that you want to know more about, and become more knowledgeable about the current professional conversations by doing extensive reading in professional journals.  Then, present what you've learned about your topic at a local "conference" that we'll have in class.  You may wish to be on a panel or do an individual presentation, but either way, your presentation should be between 5 and 7 minutes.  You may want to “read around” in other NCTE publications.  Voices from the Middle, English Education, and College English are published through the national organization.  The English Record is a publication of the New York affiliate of the NCTE.  Read widely; you are establishing a pattern for operating as a professional in the field. 

Though you'll read many articles and perhaps even a book in preparation for this assignment, you'll base your presentation on an article that particularly grabs your attention.  Describe the key ideas raised in the article.  Why do the ideas particularly strike you?  What do you find informative, useful, thought-provoking, or questionable in the reading?  How does it intersect with things you’ve learned in this class or other classes?  What connections do you make to this or other courses?  What do you value in the article that you want to make sure your peers hear?

Possible topic areas:

• Unit Planning/Lesson Planning

• Assessment—Student/Teacher

• Classroom management

• Classroom instruction

• Teaching a particular genre

• A new or old "buzzword" or gimmick in education (outcomes-based learning, SSR, etc.)

Since this is part of the speaking intensive aspect of the class, plan to put into practice elements that produce effective speaking…

• Planned, organized, and supported content

  • Include an opening that generates our interest 

  • Include an effective closing

  • Of course, include journal/article title and author in your presentation

• Preparation that allows you to “tell” rather than “read”

  • This will be aided by eye contact, appropriate pace, volume, and energy

• Part of your presentation may include a relevant discussion question. 

  • Make sure you are prepared to pose the constructive question and facilitate a brief dialogue.

• You may want to present brief notes or relevant handout for your audience's reference.

The conference presentation will be assessed with this rubric (.doc) or (.htm).