CR is the habit of talking about the stories we read and through conversations children better understand what they have read. CR teaches the skills children need to think about what they read and reflect on how the story applies to life as they know it. Readers of all ages who practice CR are more proficient readers and have the ability to think deeply to make meaning from what they read.
Learn from the literacy and language expert who coined the term “Conversational Reading” herself in her book by the same title, Diane Frankenstein.
Bring Me a Book Hong Kong is pleased to invite Diane Frankenstein to offer 3 different workshops for parents with children of all ages in Hong Kong from March 3-10, 2018:
For those participants seeking to master their conversational reading skills with a diverse range of genres and themes, we encourage them to sign up for Advanced CR and/or Enriched CR. Each of these classes is different (uses different books to practice CR) so you can join as many as you wish.
Feedback from 2017 participants:
“I am always excited to hear Diane Frankenstein speak. She is so knowledgeable and passionate about the power of reading aloud wonderful books with children. And equally important, she is able to walk parents through the “nuts and bolts” of scaffolding a rich conversation with children- not to be missed!” Jeffrey Comer, Primary Teacher Librarian, Chinese International School.
“Diane was friendly and honest – I felt like I was back at college as we had such a deep discussion on how we can best discuss values with children.” Raymond Kwok, Father of 6 year old son
“I really enjoyed the depth in which Diane talked about the books and was able to relate the books with different takeaway topics.” Elaine Wilde, mother of 3 children.”
Please click here for more feedback from past participants.
Special offers:
Sign up before 16 February:10% discount
2 or more classes: 2 complimentary books
Bring a friend: 10% discount
BMAB Family Members: original price with 20% discount (To become a member, sign up here)
Due to the high demand for CR 101, we are waiving the pre-requisite to attend the other classes, although it is highly recommended that you attend one of her talks or CR 101 to gain the most out of the other workshops.
$800 per 2 hour session, incl. a copy of “Reading Together”
Date & Time & Venue:
Class A: March 3 (Saturday) / 14:00-16:00
Class B: March 5 (Monday) / 10:00-12:00
Venue: BMAB Office, 7/F On Lan Centre, No. 11-15 On Lan Street, Central
If you are NEW to conversational reading ie. have not attended any of her talks or workshops before, you will need to sign up for CR 101: Beginner Conversational Reading where you will learn/acquire the foundation of CR to give you the fundamentals behind Conversational Reading.
Books help to jump start conversations that are important to children. In this workshop, you will discover a different conversational experience from the Q&A that make up most conversations – one in which questions get children thinking and speculating, developing their capacity for empathy, compassion and perspective.
Taught this way, reading promotes life-long love of learning and fosters curious, creative adults – crucial qualities for success in today’s world.
Topics covered include:
1) Introduction to Conversational Reading and Best Practice Methods
2) How to increase language fluency, comprehension and critical thinking skills
3) Strategies to encourage reading for meaning, reflection and self-discovery
4) Age/stage appropriate titles, from picture books, short stories, transition books, longer chapter books
5) Subject Conversations: Gratitude, Overcoming Adversity, Humour, Empathy, Loyalty and Friendship
6) Fostering closeness, understanding and respect between parents and child
$1600 per 4 hour session (a light lunch will be served)
Date & Time & Venue:
Class A: March 6 (Tuesday) / 10:00-14:00
Class B: March 9 (Friday) / 10:00-14:00
Venue: BMAB Office, 7/F On Lan Centre, No. 11-15 On Lan Street, Central
*Light lunch will be provided*
Our children face all sorts of challenges both inside and outside of school – whether it is about family, friendship, peer pressure, courage, discipline, fairness…
One of the ways parents can best support their children’s academic and emotional growth is to help them develop as strong readers who know how to make meaning from what they read. Good readers know how to critically think and they acquire the very important life skill of being empathetic.
Diane’s workshops are interactive allowing participants plenty of practice in the art and skill of Conversational Reading. Based on a carefully selected set of books, Diane will model and provide the tips and strategies that result in more enjoyable and satisfying conversations about the many themes/ideas found in the stories.
Advanced Conversational Reading A & B: Each class will use different books with different themes for discussion so you can attend as many sessions as you like. Conversational Reading, as in all skills, needs practice and we encourage you to sign up for more than one.
$1800 per 4 hour session, incl. 2 Pre-assigned reading books (a light lunch will be served)
Date & Time & Venue:
Class A: March 8 (Thursday) / 10:00-14:00
Class B: March 10 (Saturday) / 10:00-14:00
Venue: BMAB Office, 7/F On Lan Centre, No. 11-15 On Lan Street, Central
*Light lunch will be provided*
Themes discussed are most suitable for Grade 3/Primary 4+
As parents we want to our children to feel safe, but natural disasters, accidents, death and war are all part of the world. The urge is not to talk with children about subjects that are difficult, but the reality is that your children will learn about these subjects, and if not from you, then from someone else. And that “someone else” is not going to have the conversation you want to have with your child. Diane will discuss stories that offer a glimpse of both the best and the worst of human nature, and put events into a larger context, allowing for more meaningful conversations with your child.
Enriched Conversational Reading A & B: Each class will use different books with different themes for discussion so participants can attend both sessions.
Pre-assigned Reading CR 103 (A)
1) Bat Poet, Randall Jarrell
2) The Dragonling, Jackie French Koller
Pre-assigned Reading CR 103 (B)
1) The Hundred Dresses, Eleanor Estes
2) Owen Foote Soccer Star, Stephanie Greene
All books for pre-assigned are under 100 pages and should take around 30-45 mins to read.
Pre-assigned books will be mailed to you.
Diane Frankenstein is the award-winning author of Reading Together: Everything You Need to Know to Raise a Child Who Loves to Read, holds a Master Degree in Children’s Literature and Language Arts. Since 1989, Diane has worked as an educational consultant in the field of Strategic Literacy throughout the United States as well as in Asia and Europe. Reading Together has received both the Library Journal Starred Review and GOLD Mom’s Choice Award