Curriculum Materials Center @ KU

New PA Certification Test Materials Available ONLINE–for FREE!

Karen Wanamaker — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:05:00 +0000

The study guides and practice tests for the new PA certification tests are available for free on the PECT Web site: http://www.pa.nesinc.com. This new test goes into effect this semester (Spring 2012) with registration opening in February. If you have any questions about which test to take, please go to the College of Education office in Beekey or call Mrs. Tanya Faust at 610-683-4332.

The following is from a recent e-mail that was sent:

Dear Educator,

Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) preparation materials, including study guides and full-length practice tests, are now available. Preparation materials can be accessed on the PECT Web site at http://www.pa.nesinc.com. [...]

BACKGROUND OF THE PECT
As you may know, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) spent three years revising Chapter 49, the teacher certification regulations, to define new certificate areas for PreK through 8th grade and Special Education.

During 2009–2010, subsequent to revising the teacher certification regulations in Chapter 49, PDE initiated the development of the PECT program. The tests to be included in this program are: PreK–4, Special Education PreK–8, Special Education 7–12, and Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA), which covers knowledge and skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. In 2010, PDE began collaborating with the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson to develop and administer the Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) program. The first administration of the new tests is planned for April 2012. Registration for the test is scheduled to open in early February 2012.

TEST DEVELOPMENT
Development of test objectives that define the content of the test was a key step in the test development process. The test objectives consist of test subareas that each include a set of objectives, along with a set of descriptive statements that further elaborate the content of each test objective. The PECT were developed in alignment with Pennsylvania regulations and standards, including the Pennsylvania Program Framework Guidelines and the relevant Pennsylvania Academic Standards. Committees of Pennsylvania educators reviewed the test objectives and made revisions, as necessary, to ensure that the test objectives were accurate, free of bias, job related, and important for the job of an entry-level teacher in Pennsylvania.

A content validation survey was conducted using sampled practicing Pennsylvania educators and educator preparation program faculty to ensure that the test objectives reflect the knowledge and skills considered to be important for performing the job of a teacher in Pennsylvania.

Next, test items were developed to assess the content defined by the test objectives. Committees of Pennsylvania educators were convened to review and approve the test items. Students preparing to teach at the appropriate authorization levels participated in field tests of the items at sites throughout Pennsylvania. Each full-length practice test for the PECT includes a representative sample of these items.

This blog will forcefully destruct in a little over a month

Karen Wanamaker — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:56:11 +0000

While I still love the look and feel of the KUCMC blog, I have been informed by KU’s IT folks that it is time to say goodbye and move back onto the University’s Web presence in the new format that will be unveiled for the Spring 2012 semester. Could I stand firm and keep this blog on the sly or put up a fight? Sure, but we all know that I won’t win. I’ll just get tired of fighting and eventually end up doing what they want in the end anyway. SO, onward we go! I will keep you updated as to where to find our new home once I am informed as to where it will be. IT has promised that all of the content (minus the blog) will be recreated in the new look on the new site, so all of the resources that you have grown to like (such as the handouts that help you complete assignments without pulling out every last strand of your hair) will still be available. I will keep this site up for a while just to make sure!

With much love to my COE folks,
Karen the Librarian

Children’s Literature LibGuide Now Available

Karen Wanamaker — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:18:20 +0000

Check out the latest LibGuide: Children’s Literature

Learn about the children’s literature resources at the Rohrbach Library, how to find books, and other resources that can help with children’s literature classes or assignments. Special thanks to our graduate assistant, Mark Magro for his help with this guide. Let us know what you think!

Picture Books – A Dying Format?

Karen Wanamaker — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:31:50 +0000

Mac Barnett has had enough. So, he and 21 other picture book creators are taking a stand in support of picture books with a proclamation called “A Picture Book Manifesto.” According to an article by Sally Lodge in Publishers Weekly, Barnett, says that the manifesto “grew out of issues I’ve been thinking about and talking about for years…, and it just felt like it was time to do something.” He said the audience for the document is very broad, claiming, “It is really an exhortation to everyone—writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, art directors, booksellers, librarians, and parents—that we could all be doing better. The only people who are doing fine are the kids themselves. I really believe the rest of us should be doing better.”

Is the picture book a dying format? Check out the article and the proclamation (linked above) and leave us a comment with your thoughts on the topic or the proclamation itself.

CMC Handouts Helpful for Assignments

Karen Wanamaker — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:22:03 +0000

Be sure to check out the latest handouts on the CMC blog by clicking on the “Handouts” tab. We have created several documents that directly relate to COE assignments, especially for children’s literature. Examples include: wordless picture books, award winning book lists (with RL call numbers), and Cinderella stories from around the world.

Library of the Early Mind Panel Discussion Transcript

Karen Wanamaker — Tue, 03 May 2011 15:34:00 +0000

Kutztown University’s Library of the Early Mind film screening and the panel discussion that followed was truly an exciting and informative event for anyone who enjoys children’s literature. Although we did try filming the panel discussion, the quality of the sound was not desirable. SO, Tim Ballingall, our Spring 2011 intern, sat down and transcribed the event so that we could share it with all of you!

Kutztown University’s Library of the Early Mind Panel Discussion Transcript

The panelists included:
Edward J. Delaney, director and co-producer of the film
Heather Hebert, bookseller
Matt Phelan, author and illustrator
Dr. Eloise Long, Department Chair of Library Science

Enjoy!

Reading Rockets: From Babbling to Books

Karen Wanamaker — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:58:50 +0000

Building Pre-Reading Skills

Todd R. Risley, Sharon Landesman Ramey, and Julie Washington discuss research-based strategies for early literacy in young children in this video. “This 60-minute webcast stresses the importance of working with young children early to develop language and pre-reading skills. It will provide adults who work with young children with research-based strategies that can help lay the foundation for building strong readers.”

Check out the site (linked below) to see the video and to access other resources on this topic

Reading Rockets: From Babbling to Books.

(Quoted information is from the site.)

Celebrate Earth Day on April 22!

cbusc828 — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:47:02 +0000

Beginning as an environmental teach-in on April 22, 1970, Earth Day has evolved into a yearly international tradition celebrated in over 175 countries. Prompted by the 1969 oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed a day to raise awareness about the deterioration of the environment. Throughout the years Earth Day has inspired a greater appreciation for the Earth’s natural environment and, by educating our youth about important environmental issues, we can help to ensure the preservation of this beautiful planet. Stop by the CMC to check out the variety of materials and fun activities we have for teaching students about the environment they live in.

Another great resource is the Children’s Literature website which has many helpful reviews on children’s books about Earth Day and the environment.

To learn more about Earth Day visit the Earth Day Network’s official website.

March is Women’s History Month!

cbusc828 — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:04:07 +0000

The CMC has you covered for Women’s History Month. We have a variety of resources from biographies and non-fiction accounts of many prominent women throughout history, to children’s and young adult literature featuring strong female characters. Check out the Women’s History Month bulletin board at the CMC, as well as this recommended reading list, for more helpful resources! To view a booklist of strong female characters in literature, click here.

You can find more information about Women’s History Month at the National Women’s History Month website.

Happy Birthday To You! Dr. Seuss

cbusc828 — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:15:56 +0000

Pick up a book on March 2 to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday and Read Across America Day! The National Education Association’s Read Across America Day helps bring kids and books together so that everyone can share in the joy of reading.

Random House publishers have put together a guide to help you plan fun Dr. Seuss themed reading activities. Click here to check out their neat ideas.

Kutztown University will have a Dr. Seuss table set up from 9AM to 4PM on March 2 outside the coffee shop in Rohrbach Library. They will be selling candy bars for $1 and handing out free bookmarks, so stop by and indulge your sweet tooth!

“The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

-Dr. Seuss