Darren J. Butler

In this session, attendees will learn how to utilize well-known reading strategies in a simple approach for young and older readers. As an author, I do not see the joy of reading in the faces of students I meet on my travels. Reading comprehension is key to the joy of reading. The Common Core Standards promote a deeper level of understanding of the text and the integration of writing to communicate knowledge, ideas, and understanding.

Benefits:
By using the RIP strategy, students will have a deeper level of reading comprehension. Students of all ages learn how to use reading strategies in a meaningful way. RIP has been proven to raise reading comprehension test scores with students using it on a consistent basis.

*Times are approximate and adjustable based on the needs of the client

Typically, students are not good narrative writers. Their stories tend to be more "telling" than "showing" and lack the structure and mechanics of a solid short story. Author Darren J. Butler leads this session where attendees will learn how to implement his 9 Narrative Questions to create powerful narrative writers.

Benefits:
Narrative is the most difficult mode of writing for students. Creating a powerful beginning, middle, and ending can be challenging. And, students have to fold in powerful dialogue and descriptive language as well. Students not only learn to write powerful narratives, but they begin to comprehend strong
narrative structure. This enables them to be stronger readers. They begin to break down the stories they read to look for plot, conflict, and narrative elements from a writer’s perspective.

(60 - 90 minutes)

The 21st Century Classroom is not about technology. In fact, technology is only a tool in the 21st century classroom. Educators have to adjust their mindset to develop a learning environment suitable to the learning styles of their students using Common Core.

Years ago, Apple asked us to “Think Different,” and we did. Today, we have innovative technology such as the smartphone that few could live without. Teachers have to think out of the box and direct their approach to teaching to teach different - not differently. During his address, Mr. Butler includes strategies to integrate technology as a tool to create life long learners.

Mr. Butler’s Teach Different motivational presentation highlights the success of educators from the past and present who dared to teach different. And when they did, they changed the world.

*Times are approximate and adjustable based on the needs of the client

(60 - 90 minutes)

Children’s author and writing specialist, Darren J. Butler, addresses the growing problem in reading across our country - reading comprehension. “When I was a child, the library was full on Saturday mornings. Today, it is empty.” Somewhere along the way, children have lost their joy for reading. Discussions have been replaced with multiple choice tests and point systems. But, is this all bad? Is there a balance?

Mr. Butler proposes a compromise utilizing his RIP reading strategy which implements the Common Core Standards for Language Arts and Speaking and Listening.

*Times are approximate and adjustable based on the needs of the client