Francine R. Johnston, Ed.D.
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
School of Education, P.O. Box 26171
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina 27402-6171
Fjjohnst@uncg.edu, 336-334-3458
Current Position
Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of North Carolina at Greensboro since 2001
Education
University of Virginia 1995 Ed. D in Reading Education
University of Virginia 1986 M. Ed. in Early Childhood Education
James Madison University 1973 B.S. in Elementary Education
Honors
George Graham Memorial Fellowship for Outstanding Student in Reading, University of Virginia, 1992.
Graduated Summa Cum Laude, James Madison University, 1973.
Professional
Experiences
Licensure
NC K-12 Reading Specialist (expires June 2009)
University Teaching
Associate Professor for University of North Carolina at Greensboro 2001 - present
Assistant Professor for University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1995-2001
Teaching courses in ChildrenÕs Literature, Language Arts, Emergent Literacy, Word study, and Reading. Supervisor of internships and student teaching for undergraduates in teacher education at Professional Development Schools
Instructor for James Madison University, 1994-1995:
Taught Literacy Acquisition course for preservice teachers
Supervised a practicum in a local public school where students tutored at risk second graders in reading and supervised student teachers
Graduate Instructor for University of Virginia, 1990-1994
Taught courses in Remedial Reading, Reading Diagnosis, Whole Language, and Reading in the Content Areas,
Lesson Lab – advisor for professional development based on Words Their Way
Pearson Learning Group – advisor for creation of Words Their Way in Action kits
Educational Publishing Service, Boston MA – advisor for phonics program 2002
Randoph County Schools – staff development in word study (2002-2003)
Harnett County Classroom teachers – developing a spelling program (1998-2000)
Caswell County EC Teachers – developing word study for special needs students
(Summer and Fall 1999)
Early Alliance (Reading tutorial with college students and children at risk), University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC (1997-1998)
Charlotte-Mecklinberg Schools, Charlotte, NC (October, 1997)
North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction (1997-1998) revising standard course of study, K-2 Assessment, and materials for teachers
Inservice Leader and Consultant for School Staff Development
Language Arts Consultant at Reidsville Middle School, Rockingham County, NC (1996-1997)
Language Arts Consultant at Hunter Elementary School, Guilford County. NC (1996-1997)
Primary Language Arts Consultant at Jesse Wharton Elementary School, Guilford County. NC (1995-1996)
Workshop in Word Study, Augusta County, VA; summers 1992-1997 (2-day sessions each summer).
Workshop in Word Study, Rockingham County Schools, VA; Summer 1994
Language Arts Consultant with 4th Grade at St. AnneÕs-Belfield School, Charlottesville, VA. (l991-l992)
Tutoring Coordinator
Instructor and supervisor of UNCG Reading Clinic (2002 – present)
Coordinator of Community Volunteer Tutors in Reading, l992-1994
Charlottesville City Schools. Trained and supervised volunteer tutors to work with at risk first and second graders in reading
Public School Teaching Experience
Remedial Reading Teacher for Waynesboro Public Schools (VA) working with
students in grades one through six (1987-1989).
First Grade Teacher for Waynesboro Public Schools (1973-1987, excluding two years spent in graduate study and miscellaneous teaching assignments).
Publications in Peer
Reviewed Journals
Johnston, F. R. (2001) The utility of phonic generalizations: LetÕs take
another look at ClymerÕs conclusions. The Reading Teacher. 55. 132-143.
Johnston, F. R. (2001). Exploring classroom teachersÕ spelling practices and beliefs.
Reading Research and Instruction. 40, 143-155.
Johnston, F.R. (2001) Spelling
exceptions: Problems or possibilities.
The Reading
Teacher. 54, 372-378.
Johnston, F.R. (2000) Word learning in predictable text. Journal of Educational
Psychology, 92, 248-255.
Johnston, F.R. (1999) The timing and teaching of word
families. The Reading Teacher,
53. 64-75.
Johnston, F. R. (1998) The reader, the text, and the task: Learning words in first grade. The Reading Teacher, 51. 666-675.
This has been reprinted in two anthologies: (1) Heibert, E., Skalitsky, K., & Tesnar, K.A. (Eds.). (1998), Every child a reader companion readings: Selections from the International Reading Association publication The Reading Teacher. University of Michigan: Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement (CIERA). (2) Reading research anthology: The Why? Of reading instruction. (1999). Compiled by the Consortium on Reading Excellence (CORE). Novato, CA: Arena Press.
Johnston, F.R. (1993). Improving student response in DR-TAs
and DL-TAs. The
Reading Teacher, 46, 448-449.
Johnston, F. (2006) Reconceptualizing spelling instruction as word study. In M. Kamil
(Ed.) Advancing Reading Instruction (13-23). Greensboro, NC: SERVE
Bear, D., Invernizzi, M., Templeton, S., & Johnston, F. (2007). Words their way: Word study for phonics, vocabulary, and spelling instruction (4th Ed.). Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Pearson/ Merrill Prentice Hall.
Bear, D., Helman, L., Invernizzi, M., Templeton, S., and Johnston, F. (2006)
Words their way for English language learners. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson/ Merrill Prentice Hall.
Templeton, S., Johnston, F.R, , Bear, D., & Invernizzi, M. (2008). Word sorts
for
derivational relations spellers. (2nd Ed.)Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/ Merrill
Prentice Hall.
Bear, D., &
Invernizzi, M. Johnston, F.R,
(2009). Word sorts for emergent
spellers. (2nd Ed.)Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/ Merrill Prentice Hall.
Johnston, F.R, . Invernizzi, M., Bear, D.,(2008). Word sorts for
letter
name- alphabetic spellers (2nd Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/ Merrill Prentice Hall.
Invernizzi, M., Johnston, F.R, & Bear, D.(2008). Word
sorts for within-word
pattern spellers (2nd Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/ Merrill Prentice Hall.
Johnston, F.R, , Bear, D., & Invernizzi, M.
(2008). Word sorts for syllable and
affixes spellers (2nd Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/ Merrill Prentice Hall.
Johnston, F.R., Invernizzi, M., & Juel, C. (1998). Book
Buddies: Guidelines for
volunteer tutors of emergent and early readers. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Software Products
Bear, D., Invernizzi, M., Templeton, S., & Johnston, F. (2001). Words their way: Word study for phonics, spelling and vocabulary instruction - CD ROM. Columbus, OH: Merrill/Prentice Hall.
Instructional Videos
Bear, D., Invernizzi, M., Templeton, S., & Johnston, F. (2000). Words their way: Word study for phonics, spelling and vocabulary instruction- Video. Columbus, OH: Merrill/Prentice Hall.
Invernizzi,
M. (2001). Phonological
Awareness Literacy Screening-1-3, Charlottesville, VA: University Printing
Services.
Invernizzi, M., Swank, L. & Juel, C. (2000). Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening-Kindergarten, Charlottesville, VA: University Printing Services.
Reeke, A.S. & Laffey, J.L. (1979). Pathways to
imagination: Language arts
learning centers and activities for grades K-8, Santa Monica, CA: Goodyear.
Johnston, F.R. & Massey, D. (2002) Comparison of published spelling series
Johnston, F. R. (1997). Exploring effective spelling instruction in elementary classrooms. Technical report for North Carolina State University.
Johnston, F.R. (1997, June 8) The radical middle. Greensboro News and Record, p F1
Presentations at
National Conferences
Johnston, F.R., (2006, May). The Developmental Perspective in Word Study. In
S. Templeton (Chair). Implementing Word Study Instruction in Classrooms.
Symposium conducted at the 51tst International Reading Association
Convention, Chicago, IL.
Johnston, F (2003, December) The Primary Spelling Inventory: Exploring
its validity and
Relationship to reading levels. Paper presented at the National Reading
Conference, Scottsdale AZ.
Ehri, L., Gaskins, I, & Johnston,
F. (2001, 2002, 2003,2004 December) Learning
to read
and spell: Lexical alphabetical, and phonological processes. Study groups at
the National Reading Conference,
Johnston, F. (2000, December) (Chair and Organizer ). Date-based cost effective tutoring
programs. Symposium conducted at the National Reading Conference, Scottsdale, AZ.
Johnston, F. & Massy, D. (2000, December). Analysis and comparison of assignments
in seven spelling programs. Roundtable presented at the National Reading
Conference, Scottsdale, AZ.
Johnston, F.R., (2000, May). Matching readers to text: More than instructional level. In
A.M. Duffy (Chair) Beyond
the pullout program: Teaching struggling readers in
the elementary and middle school classroom. Symposium conducted at the 45th
International Reading Association Convention, Indianapolis, IN.
Johnston, F. R. (1999, December). The utility of phonic
generalizations: LetÕs take
another look at ClymerÕs conclusions. Paper presented at the National Reading
Conference, Orlando FL,
Invernizzi, F
& Johnston, F.R. (1998, May).
A volunteer tutorial that works:
CharlottesvilleÕs
Book Buddies. In Blachowicz,
C.L.Z. (Chair) Tutoring:
Reading professionals set the standards. Symposium conducted at the 43rd
International Reading Association Convention, Orlando, FL.
Johnston, F. R. (1997, May). Predictable texts and shared reading: Wonderful, worrisome, or a little of both? Poster session, 42nd Annual International Reading Association Conference, Atlanta, GA.
Johnston, F. R. (1996, December). Word learning in
predictable text: The role of illustrations. In P. Gough
(Chair), What good are predictable books?
A re-
evaluation. Symposium conducted at National Reading Conference, Charleston, SC.
Johnston, F. R. & Banker, R. (1996, December). Exploring
teachersÕ spelling practices
and beliefs. Paper presented at the National Reading Conference, Charleston,SC.
Johnston, F. R. (1995, December). Learning to read with predictable text: What kinds of
words do beginning readers remember? In E. H. Hiebert
(Chair), Text matters:
What do beginning readers read? Symposium conducted at the National Reading Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Johnston, F. R. (1994, November). Enhancing beginners'
sight word acquisition in
predictable reading materials. Paper presented at the National Reading
Conference, San Diego, CA.
Johnston, F. R. & Juel, C. (1994, May). Effective community volunteer tutors: What do they do? 39th Annual International Reading Association Conference, Toronto,
Ontario.
Juel, C., Invernizzi, M. & Johnston, F. (1994, April). Alternative learning in first grade: Tutoring by community volunteers. Paper presented at American Educational
Research Association, New Orleans, LA.
Johnston, F. & Juel, C. (1993, Nov). Field-based experiences for undergraduates. College Reading Association, Richmond, VA.
Abouzeid, M. P., Johnston, F.R. & Bloodgood, J. W. (l992, December). Using invented spelling as a cue for instruction. 16th Southeast International Reading
Association, New Orleans, LA.
Johnston, F.R., (2008, March). International Word Study, NCRA, Greensboro, NC
Durham, C.M., Bradley, S.L. & Johnston, F. R. (2002,
March) Sounds, sorts, and
activities: Making words and sorting words. NCRA, Greensboro, NC.
Johnston, F. R., Mercier, S & Elskoe-Long, S. (2000,
March). Workshop in word study:
Engaging students in problem solving and discovery. NCRA, Winston Salem, NC.
Johnston, F. R., & Massey, D. (2000, March). Taking a critical look at spelling
programs. NCRA, Winston Salem, NC.
Johnston, F. R. (1999, June). Planning developmental word study. Guilford County
Schools Summer Institute for Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning.
Greensboro, NC.
Johnston, F.R. (1999, April). Folktales: Book Discussion Leader, ChildrenÕs Literature
Conference, LIS Dept, UNCG.
Johnston, F. R.. (1999, March). Word study: Engaging students in problem solving and discovery. Virginia State Reading Association Conference, Roanoke, VA.
Johnston, F.R. (1999, February). ChildrenÕs writings: Insights into their understandings.
3rd annual UNCG Early Childhood Conference, Greensboro, NC.
Johnston, F.R. (1998, April). Working with beginning and transitional readers, Panelist
for ChildrenÕs Literature Conference, LIS Dept, UNCG.
Johnston, F. R. and Foreman, B. (1998, March). Spelling can be more than meaningless memorization. NC Reading Association Conference, Winston Salem, NC..
Johnston, F.R. (1998, February). From invented spelling to phonics: Planning child-
centered inductive word study. Triad Association of Non-public Schools
Conference, Greensboro, NC.
Johnston, F. R. (l993, March). Rhymes, literature, and word play in developmental classrooms: Phonological awareness starts early. Virginia Association of Early Childhood Education, Arlington, VA.
Johnston, F. R. (l991, March). Developmentally appropriate spelling assessment and instruction in primary classrooms. VSRA,, Crystal City, VA.
Invernizzi, M. A., Gill, J.T., Bloodgood, J. W., Broaddus, K. E. & Johnston, F. R.
(1991, March). The role
of spelling in writing and reading development: Past,
present, and future. Virginia State Reading Association, Crystal City, VA.
Invited Presentations
and Keynote Addresses
Presentations for Teachers Resource Center, Winston Salem (Nov 2, Feb 12, and
March 3, 2008)
Presentation for George Graham Lecture Series, University of Virginia
April 21, 2007 Expanding
Vocabulary through International Word
Study
Presentations for The 5th Georgia Conference on Teaching Writing and
Reading, Perry, GA (June 2007)
Keynote Address for Kentucky Reading Association, Lexington, KY (Sept 2007)
Keynote Address for the Mary Lois Staton Reading/Language Arts Conference (Feb
2007) East Carolina University. Word Study from the Developmental Perspective
Presentation for Wake County Title I Conference (June 2006)
Raleigh, NC Effective
Word Study in the Primary Grades
Presentations for New Jersey Department of Public Instruction, Atlantic City NJ (Aug
2005, Aug 2006)
Keynote Address for Gardner Webb University Literacy Lecture Series (Spring
2006)
Presentation for Spelling SIG, (2005) International Reading Association, San Antonio,
TX.
Presentation for Haskins Laboratories (with M. Invernizzi) Hartfort CN, (Feb 2005,
March 2006) Selecting Materials for Beginning Readers
Presentation for Benchmark School, Media PA (April 2004)
Presentation for Southeast Regional Vision for Education Conference (SERVE),
Charlotte, NC (Aug 2004) Reconceptualizing Spelling Instruction
Presentation for Guilford County Reading Association, Greensboro NC (Nov, 2003)
Presentation at NCDPIÕs Reading Excellence Act Conference, Research Triangle, NC
Sept 2002
Presentation for 46th International Reading Association Convention, New Orleans, LA
2001). A reviewerÕs perspective in P Griffith & C. Lynch- Brown (Chairs) Writing for The Reading Teacher: Conceptualizing and writing a successful article.
Presentation for Lee County Reading Association, Sanford, NC (1999, November)
Presentation for High Point Reading Association, High Point, NC. (1998, October)
Three presentations for America Reads Conferences sponsored by the Southeastern
Regional Vision for Education (SERVE) in Chapel Hill, NC; Atlanta, GA; and
Orlando, FL.(1998)
Invited presentation at the America Reads Conference sponsored by the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) in San Antonio (1998, August)
Keynote presentation at Middle Tennessee State University, Fox Lecture Series (1998, March)
Keynote presentation at Shippensburg University, PA (1998, March)
Two presentations at the Southeastern Reading Recovery Conference, Greensboro, NC.
(1998, January)
Inservice Presentations: Sedgefield Elementary School, 1995; Greensboro Day School,
1996; Archer Elementary School, 1996; Foust Elementary,1997; Hunter Elementary, 1996; West Perry Schools District, PA, 1998; Germantown Elementary, 1998; Irving Park, 1998; Union Hill Elementary, 1999; Rockingham County Schools, 2003; Johnston County Schools, 2003; Charlotte Country Day School, 2003; Woodward Academy, Atlanta GA 2004; Alderman Elem, Guilford County, 2003, Moss Street School, Rockingham County 2004; Pleasant Garden Elementary School, Guilford County, 2005; Bell Fork Elementary School, Onslow County Schools, 2005: Twin Valley School District, PA, 2005, Huntsville Elementary School, Randolph County 2006, Piedmont Area Consortium 2005, Siler City School 2006, Thomasville Primary School 2006, Alamance Burlington School System 2006
Bookstore Advisory Committee (2002- , Chair 2004- )
Graduate Studies Committee (2003-2005)
Graduate Curriculum Committee (2004-2005)
University Academic Appeals Committee (2002- )
Council of Program Coordinators of the Teachers Academy (1999 - )
Birth to Kindergarten Interdisciplinary Committee (1995-2005)
Teacher Resource Center Advisory Committee (2002- )
Freshman Summer Advising – SOAR (2004)
Enrollment Management Committee (1997-1999, 2002-2004)
Faculty Senate, elected representative (2001- 2004)
University Tenure and Promotion Committee (2002-2004)
Academic Policies and Regulations Committee, member (1999 - 2001)
Representative for CUI Dept at Fall FOCUS (1999)
Academic Integrity Panel (1998 - 2000)
Internship and Service Learning Committee (1996-1997)
Parent Advisory Board member for UNCG Child Care Education Program (1996-1998)
Interviewed by Steve Gillam (UNCGÕs Office of information services) for press release
on the importance of reading aloud to children (1998).
Interviewed by Steve Gillam (UNCGÕs Office of Information Services) for radio spot on
preparing preschool children for Kindergarten.
Service for CUI and
School of Education
Graduate Coordinator (2008- )
Search Committee Chair (2004-2005)
Curriculum Committee for SOE, member (1999-2001, 2004-2005)), chair (2005-2007)
Reading Program Coordinator, CUI Dept (1999 - )
Appeals Committee for CUI (Chair 2004- )
Chair of Elementary Education Committee (2002 - 2006)
Personnel Committee for SOE (2002-2004)
Chair of Comprehensive Exams for CUI Dept (Fall 1998)
Personnel Committee for SOE, member (1997-1998)
Merit Advisory Committee for CUI Dept (1997-1999, 2004 -)
School of Education Executive Council, elected member (1997-1998)
Member of CUI taskforces for revision of M.Ed. program (1998-2000)
Admission Appeals Committee, member (1995-1998, 2002-)
Search Committees (LIS, 1996) (CUI; 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003) (TeacherÕs Academy, 2000), Chaired CUI dual search for math and literacy (2005)
Piedmont Young Writers Conference, booksharing leader (April, 1996, 1997, 1999)
ChildrenÕs Festival, Bookmaking booth (1995, 1996, 1998, 1999)
Member of Literacy Task Force to review K-2 assessment (2006-2007)
Consultant for K-2 Literacy Assessment (2006-2007)
Responded to drafts of new standard course of study for the language arts and K-2
Assessment
Consultant for federal Reading Excellence Grant awarded July 2000 for 15 Million
Membership and Service in Professional Organizations
National Reading Conference, member (1994 - 2005) and Field Council Representative
(1995-2000)
International Reading Association, member (1987 - )
NC Association of College Professors of Reading, member (1996- ) Membership
Chair (1998 - ), Treasurer (2002- )
College Reading Association, member (1997 - 2002)
Other Professional Activities
Editorial Board for The Reading Teacher (1998- 2005), Guest Reviewer (2005- )
Guest Reviewer for Reading Research Quarterly (2003)
Editorial Board for Reading Research and Instruction (1998 - 2002)
Review Board for the Center for the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement
(CIERA) (1998 – 2002)
Reviewer of Conference Proposals for National Reading Conference (1996,1997, 2000)
Editorial Review Board for National Reading Conference Yearbook (1997)
Reviewer for Journal of the NC Reading Association. (1997)
Reviewer for Pearson Education: Instructing students who have literacy problems, 4th
edition by S. McCormick
Reviewer for Guildford Press: Tutoring adolescent literacy learners: A guide for
volunteers by Chandler-Olcott and Hinchman
Reviewer for Scholastic Books: The Fluent Reader by T. Rasinski .
Reviewer for Guilford Press: Howard Street Tutoring Manual,
Reviewer for Allyn & Bacon: Issues and Trends in Literacy Education
External Program Evaluator for Virginia Department of
Education, Phonological
Awareness and Literacy Screening Assessment (PALS) (1999)
Member of Expert Review Panel for OERI funded American Reads Tutoring Initiatives,
SERVE (Southeast Regional Vision for Education) (Dec,1998)
Presentation to Executive Management Team for SERVE (Sept 1999)
Judge for Oak Ridge Elementary School ÒReflectionsÓ writing competition sponsored by
the P.T.A. (Dec. 1998)
$5,000 from Small Grants School-Based Research Program, NC State University, for
Exploring Effective Spelling Instruction in Elementary Classrooms, 1996-97.