TEACHER AND PARENT TRAINING NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE DISCOVER MEANING PROGRAM
A comprehensive and exciting reading comprehension program for students ages 12 through adult.
(The Basic Level of the program, aimed for students in grades 1 to 6, is currently being developed.)
This program can be delivered in schools, or by tutors or parents in a one-to-one or small group setting. The Discover Meaning Program is intended to help develop the overall comprehension process for students who have difficulties in this area. Typical symptoms for such students include any or all of the following:
· Difficulty understanding what is read
· Difficulty understanding what is heard
· Difficulty with oral directions and instructions
· Difficulty understanding written questions despite reading the words accurately
· Difficulty expressing themselves verbally or in writing
· A poor sense of direction
· Difficulty seeing the point of a joke
· States that reading is “boring”
· Performs poorly on tests despite seeming to know the material
In The Discover Meaning Program, students are first led through a process that teaches them the steps of the “dual-coding” process. Students “discover meaning” in greater depth through a comprehensive Learning Model. Through this model, students improve their processing of the language they are reading and learn to store the information they are reading in the form of mental pictures. Once that is accomplished, they are then taught a number of research-based comprehension strategies such as finding the main idea, making inferences and drawing conclusions, and summarizing what they have learned both orally and in writing. Finally, students are taught to apply the entire process to school-based content.
The Discover Meaning Program includes and uses the following principles:
1. A comprehensive Learning Model that guides teachers and students through the complexities of comprehending information that they read and hear.
2. A Learning Goal for each of the 14 Lessons in the Advanced Level of The Discover Meaning Program. The goal provides the rationale for teaching each strategy.
The 14 Lessons are:
i. An Introduction to Discover Meaning and the Learning Model
ii. A Closer Look at the Learning Model
iii. An Introduction to the Learning Model in Practice
iv. Developing Vocabulary
v. Paragraph Processing with Note-Taking
vi. Paragraph Main Idea
vii. Single Paragraph with a Complete Summary
viii. Question-Answer Strategies
ix. Single Paragraph with Important Ideas as a Summary
x. Multiple Paragraphs with an Oral Summary
xi. Multiple Paragraphs with Note-Taking and a Written Summary
xii. Learning Specific Information
xiii. Chapter-Processing with Note-Taking
xiv. Lecture Note-Taking
3. There is significant emphasis on meta-cognitive processing (self-awareness) and self-monitoring.
4. Includes a formal and in-depth introduction to geography and timeline.
5. Application of process and strategies to curriculum.
Levels of Certification
Level 1: Certificate of Completion… issued after the three days of training.
Level 2: Discover Meaning Instructor… following the Certificate of Completion. Teachers apply the Discover Meaning Program with their students and document their results in a journal. Instructor certification is awarded upon completion and verification of at least 80 hours of instructional time with students.
Level 3: Discover Meaning Trainer… certified Discover Meaning Instructors can apply to become a Discover Meaning Trainer (external or internal). Further training and a written exam must be completed and passed. An additional fee applies.
A comprehensive and systematic program designed to enhance and enrich the comprehension of students aged 12 through adult. Your “One-Price” Discover Meaning Program includes:
1. Four full days of training in The Discover Meaning Program & The Discover Organization and Study Skills Program.
2. An extensive Instructor’s Manual (200 pages coil bound).
3. Lesson Plans for all 14 Lessons in the Program.
4. Student Workbooks for all 14 Lessons in the Program.
5. Answer Keys for all 14 Lessons in the Program.
6. Supplementary materials (including progress charts) which include reproducible copies of:
a. The Learning Model
b. The Wh Wheel
c. Wh Cards and Detail Prompts
d. Geography (continent studies) and Country Research
e. Time Lines
f. Sentence Guide
g. Vocabulary Chart
h. Paragraph and Note-Taking Formats
i. Main Idea Guide
j. Question Chart
k. Multiple-Choice Test-Taking Guide
l. Note-Taking Outline
m. Speech Signals to listen for during lectures
n. Learning Strategies
o. Perspective Drawings
The “One-Price” fee for 2011 is $2000. (Prices are subject to change without notice.)
Calgary: Monday, August 8 - Thursday, August 11, 2011
Vancouver: Tuesday, August 2 - Friday, August 5, 2011
Discover Meaning Training sessions are held each August and can also be arranged during the school year (either in Calgary or elsewhere) by request. Call 1-800-605-9272 for details.
