Saint Martin’s hosts nationally celebrated literacy trainer Dr. Linda Dorn

March 8, 2010

Lacey, Washington —Saint Martin’s University and the Washington Organization for Reading Development (WORD) will co-host “Meeting the Needs of Struggling Readers with Interventions That Work,” a day-long workshop with nationally celebrated literacy trainer Dr. Linda Dorn, in the Hal and Inge Marcus Pavilion at Saint Martin’s on Saturday, March 13. The workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration will open at 7:45 a.m.

The workshop will describe how teachers can implement the Comprehensive Intervention Model for reversing the reading failures of struggling readers. It will incorporate both the concepts of enhancing word study and comprehension through writing and why this interchange is one of the critical elements of small group instruction. A special focus will be placed on small group interventions for students in grades 1-5.

Dr. Dorn, a professor from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR), is the developer of the Comprehensive Intervention Model that is used extensively throughout Arkansas and in many school districts around the country, including Washington. She has twenty-seven years of experience in education, including teaching at the elementary, intermediate, and college levels. She has worked with many school districts across the United States and she has collaborated with several state departments on comprehensive literacy initiatives. Dorn also serves as director of the UALR Center for Literacy.

The Comprehension Intervention Model intentionally builds this connection between reading and writing for both word study and comprehension. Developing this “cognitive bridge” can actually assist a child to read unknown words. According to Dorn, the link between what a child knows about writing and spelling has been found to be of assistance in helping that child read and develop a better understanding for words. Even the motor process of writing the word is beneficial. The writing process actually lifts the reading to the point where reading more difficult words is possible. In addition, linking reading to writing enhances students ability to think.

“We are excited to have Dr. Dorn present,” says Maureen Siera, professor of education at Saint Martin’s University and past WORD president. “The educational focus on RTI (response to intervention) means we need to continue to find ways to help all students achieve. Her model gives us another tool to use with struggling students.”

For more information about this event, or to register for this event, go to www.wordreading.org. Registration for WORD members is $85 and associate members is $45. Registration for nonmembers is $120 and associate nonmembers is $65. There is also a discount for a team of four from one school at $10 per attendee.

WORD is a diverse organization that includes classroom teachers, reading specialists, consultants, administrators, supervisors, college teachers, researchers, psychologists, librarians, media specialists, students, and parents. WORD has more than 2,400 members in Washington and is affiliated with the International Reading Association. For more information about WORD, go to www.wordreading.org.

Saint Martin’s University is an independent four-year, Catholic, coeducational university located on a 380-acre wooded campus in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 18 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University prepares students for successful lives through its 21 majors and six graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business, education and engineering. Saint Martin’s welcomes 1,250 students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its main campus, and 650 more to its five extension campuses located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Everett College, Centralia College, and Tacoma Community College.

For additional information:

Genevieve Canceko Chan
Director of Communications & Marketing
Saint Martin’s University
360-438-4332
gchan@stmartin.edu
www.stmartin.edu