The International Reading Association will present the IRA Nila Banton Smith Award to a teacher who shows outstanding leadership in translating theory and current research into practice in developing content area literacy.  

Eligibility

Deadline for submission is November 15, 2013.

Submit specific information to Parts II, III and/or IV, and V.  Any answer that repeats a previous response may refer by Part and Letter to the earlier response. Total number of pages, including an appendix, is limited to fifteen (15) pages. Corroborative materials, limited to eight (8) pages, may be included in an appendix.  This might include syllabi, newspaper clippings, photocopies, instructional materials designed by the applicant/nominee, etc.

Part II: Classroom Level (70 points) 

Shows evidence of having implemented an initiative designed to promote reading and writing in the content area.  Such an initiative should reflect appropriate use of a variety of instructional materials and strategies as well as provisions for individual differences.

1. Describe your current classroom assignment. (5 points)
2. Describe your content area literacy initiative in detail.  You must include all of the following information: Goals (5 points); Population targeted, content areas involved (5 points); Instructional strategies and materials used, provision for individual differences (include samples in appendix) (20 points); Research or theories upon which the initiative is based (10 points); Evaluation procedure(s) (10 points); and Results (effectiveness, impact).  (15 points)

Conducts workshops or other staff development activities and/or exerts leadership in other ways designed to influence other teachers to integrate reading and writing with content area learning.  Leadership activities should provide teachers with suggestions, materials, skills, knowledge, etc., to facilitate practical and immediate applications in the classroom.

1. List the content areas that you have included in your classroom initiative. (5 points)
2. Describe the ways in which you've shared your initiative with colleagues. (10 points)
3. Explain how your initiative could be implemented in other classrooms. (10 points)
4. Is your program being used as a model in other classrooms? Provide justification for a positive response. (10 points)

 

Demonstrates leadership by keeping well-informed of new developments in curriculum, instruction, and research and by applying that knowledge to promote appropriate innovations at the district level or beyond.  Exemplifies the notion of teacher-as-researcher through willingness to participate in implementing innovations, documenting results of innovations, and sharing information with colleagues at the district level and beyond.

1. List the buildings included in your district-level initiative.  (5 points)
2. Describe the ways you have shared your initiative with colleagues in the district. (5 points)
3. Explain how your initiative could be implemented in other districts. (5 points)
4. Describe the leadership you have been able to provide with your initiative. (5 points)
5. List any publications which have derived from your initiative. (5 points)

6. Has your content area literacy initiative involved you with district or regional professional organizations?  Give explanation. (5 points)
7. Describe the process by which you have gathered information about content area literacy initiatives similar to your own. (5 points)

Include a statement from your principal or supervisor indicating that this application adequately reflects your contribution to reading in content area literacy.  This should be a signed, dated letter on school/district letterhead.