Follow the amazing transformation of adolescents who went from reluctant to enthusiastic readers, reporting that reading helped them negotiate happier, more meaningful lives.
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DESCRIPTION
In a sea of troubling reports about education, teaching, reading, and the well-being of teens, Gay Ivey and Peter Johnston bring some good news that shows what happens when we stop underestimating young people. Their book, Teens Choosing to Read: Fostering Social, Emotional, and Intellectual Growth Through Books (Teachers College Press, 2023), a 2023 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist in Education, offers an engaging account of a 4-year study of adolescents who went from reluctant to enthusiastic readers.
The youth in the study reported that reading not only helped them manage their stress, but also helped them negotiate happier, more meaningful lives. This amazing transformation occurred when their teachers simply allowed them to select their own books, invited them to read with no strings attached, and provided time for them to do so. These students, nearly all of whom reported a previously negative relationship with reading, began to read voraciously inside and outside of school; performed better on state tests; and transformed their personal, relational, emotional, and moral lives in the process.
In 2025, the stakes could not be higher. This Banned Books Week, join Ivey and Johnston for a conversation on the study findings and the importance of supporting adolescent literacy. They will show how critical it is for educators to take on a true analysis of students' engagement with literature; and share their research on such topics as what students should and should not read, and the consequences of censoring books that interest them.
This webinar is for teacher educators, pre- and inservice secondary school teachers, literacy specialists, media specialists, curriculum supervisors, librarians, parents, and anyone else engaged with topics such as adolescent literacy, book banning, age-appropriate curriculum, and more.
This webinar is sponsored by Teachers College Press.
FAQ
What does the webinar cost?
This webinar is free of charge. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to order the book at an exclusive, one-time discount.
Will this webinar be recorded?
Yes, and the recording will be distributed to all registrants a few days after the webinar. That's why we recommend registering even if you aren't sure you can make this date or time.
Do you offer professional development certificates?
Sorry, we don’t issue professional development certificates for Teachers College Press webinars, though those who attend the webinar live will receive an email from Zoom confirming their attendance. The email will arrive 24 hours after the completion of the webinar.
Will there be a Q&A?
Yes—you will have an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the webinar.
REGISTRATION
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