Literacy Center and Writing Project Extend the Benefits of Literacy
Dr. Lynda Valerie, assistant professor, Reading & Language Arts
Dr. Jesse Turner, associate professor, Reading & Language Arts, director, Literacy Center


Colleges are sometimes referred to as ivy towers, removed from the larger world. One of the many appealing characteristics of CCSU is that it is most defiantly not an ivy tower. The Literacy Center and the Central Connecticut Writing Projects are two examples of CCSU reaching out to educational communities throughout Connecticut.

The Literacy Center is part of the Department of Reading and Language Art. Professors work with children to develop skills, strategies and dispositions of strong readers and writers. Students from grades one through twelve may participate in the center’s program. Each student is assessed and then instructed in one-hour sessions, twice a week for an entire semester. This is a free program. The opportunity for a child to work one-on-one with a teacher on a program developed specifically for that child has often set the stage for academic success. Early academic successes often translate into building confidence and developing competencies in several academic and social arenas.

Dr Jesse Turner, director of the center, “It is important for children to have fun with books! The emphasis on testing today has taken away the fun out of reading. The Literacy Center is the place where students come to fall in love with reading and writing.”

The Literacy Center has served over 5000 students for over 25 years. It is an excellent resource for teachers to gain valuable experience and for students to acquire essential knowledge.

Central Connecticut Writing Project (CCWP), part of the National Writing Project, began its first Invitational Summer Institute this past summer at CCSU. The National Writing Project is an international professional development initiative that builds on teachers working with other teachers to improve and enrich the teaching of writing. Faculty from the departments of English, Reading and Language Arts, and Teacher Education collaborate to direct the CCWP. A combination of researching best practices, demonstrating model lessons and individual writing form the institute framework.

Sixteen teachers representing urban, suburban and rural districts joined together for an intense, inspiring four weeks. Laura Angliss, a Cheshire teacher wrote “For the month of July, I spent seven hours a day with other professionals developing my abilities as a writer, teacher and colleague. This fall when I go back to work I will be incorporating the many things I’ve learned to make my students better writers.” Veronica Whiting, a Torrington middle school teacher, noted that because she was sharing her own writing with her students that they are encouraged to write more and share more of their writing. Next summer, in addition to the institute, CCSU will host a student writing camp.

Each and every day, we read, speak, listen and write. Strong literacy skills are essential not only for young children and students, but for busy adults who are striving and achieving. By offering professional development through the Literacy Center and CCWP, the Department of Reading and Language Arts reaches out to extend the benefits of literacy to the surrounding communities.
 

 
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