Brenau professor awarded Phi Kappa Phi literacy grant

GAINESVILLE - Dr. Hazel Katz, Brenau University associate professor of education, has been awarded a 2014 Literacy Grant by the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. She is one of 14 recipients nationwide to receive the award.<br /> <br /> The grant will support the "Improving Higher Order Literacy Skills through Reading and Writing" project. <br /> <br /> Dr. Katz, who is from Hoschton, will use the award to provide high-interest literacy activities that allow first-grade students to learn a variety of reading and writing skills. Using the skills learned, the students research, write and illustrate their own book, participate in a video interview, and promote and sign their book at an "Author of the Day" event.<br /> <br /> According to Katz, her project involves five first-grade teachers, 100 first-grade students and the media specialist at West Jackson Primary School. Through assistance of the Phi Kappa Phi Literacy Grant, the project aims to increase achievement in all areas of literacy including reading, writing, listening, speaking, critical thinking and creative expressions.<br /> <br /> "I've been at Brenau since 2001 and teach literacy and foundation classes in the College of Education. I frequently supervise student teachers in Jackson County and my granddaughter attended West Jackson Primary and West Jackson Intermediate School," said Katz.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/7/277349