Early registration for the conference will be available at the Gateway Hotel on Monday evening. Check in for the conference and pick up your conference swag bag in the hallway near the meeting rooms and the restaurant.
Monday June 24, 2019 5:30pm - 8:00pm CDT
Gateway Hotel
Pick up registration materials and your conference swag bag the day of the conference at the conference venue, the Scheman Building, on the ground floor as you enter.
Not all lessons are created equal. Learn strategies to create effective lessons students remember. From preparing a gathering area, to determining what to teach, to keeping instruction brief, the CAFE system will change the way you teach. This session will highlight a seven-step process of teaching students in small-group, whole-group, and one-on-one instruction.
Teachers have been told for more than 70 years that they need to teach children to read at their reading levels. Now state standards require that students be taught to read texts of particular levels of difficulty. This presentation will sort out the confusion over teaching with complex text and will demonstrate several ways that teachers can scaffold students to success.
In this interactive session, participants will explore the unique needs of high ability readers and begin to build their toolkit of strategies to engage these students in their own classrooms. Participants will get the chance to see highly effective, research-based strategies and acquire the resources necessary to go back into their district and implement these strategies that give students access to the Core's "Key Ideas & Details", "Integration of Knowledge & Ideas" and "Text Complexity" standards.
Learn how to combine the research-proven strategies of teacher modeling, repeated reading, and self-monitoring of progress into a single, powerful strategy to motivate readers, accelerate fluency, and improve comprehension of Title I, special education, ELL and general education students. Each participant will receive materials that define classroom procedures, implementation strategies, and assessments for correct placement. This intervention is very independent, allowing struggling students across all grade levels to improve and see success.
Come and learn about Kylene Beers and Bob Probst's amazing books: Notice and Note; Strategies for Close Reading, and Reading Nonfiction; Notice & Note Stances, Signposts and Strategies. In these books Beers and Probst introduce "signposts" that alert readers to significant moments in a work of literature, or what to notice in a piece of nonfiction. You will learn how we taught our students to first spot these signposts, and then to find evidence to support their thinking and interpretations. We will share the picture books, short video clips, and short pieces of text we used when teaching. These books have changed our teaching!
The presenter will guide participants on a journey in writing. On this journey participants will gain an understanding of the connection between reading and writing. The participants will be active sightseers on the journey through engagement in writing tasks. Participants will walk away with writing tools to apply in their own classroom.
I have been in education for over twenty-five years. I had the wonderful experience working with four-year-old students at a local preschool for over ten years. During that time, I worked toward my degree in education. While my primary focus has been on general fourth and fifth grade... Read More →
Are you looking for fresh ways to foster engagement with readers? Discover strategies and tools to tap into kids' natural curiosities to ignite passion for stories and the worlds within the pages. Leave with new titles and classroom-ready resources.
This self-proclaimed "nerdy book geek" will share her "Must Read" list of books copyrighted in 2019, from picture books to middle grade books. Come prepared with your Amazon account open (Prime preferred) and Barnes and Noble membership card handy!
No need to be a super sleuth to decode the English language. Learn and share the six most commonly used vowel patterns with your students. It's nothing fancy - just good ole common sense decoding strategies.
Join members of the joint ILA/ACRL & IASL College Readiness Committee for a conversation about ways that we can tell stories about and advocate for our work as librarians across the state. Attendees will leave with ideas and strategies for developing narratives and designing outreach materials. The workshop portion of the session provides a hands-on opportunity for participants to create a visual narrative that they can take back with them to share with local stakeholders like parents, colleagues, and school boards.
Together, we'll take a peek into primary, intermediate, and middle school classrooms to discover intentional ways to foster literate citizenship. Then, I'll share ten different techniques to promote books along with the joy and power of reading. Leave this session with practical ideas to engage even your most vulnerable readers.
1st Grade Teacher/Instructional Specialist, Indian Prairie School District #204, Aurora, IL
Maria Walther has taught first grade since 1986. Along with teaching young learners, Maria inspires educators by sharing her knowledge through engaging professional learning experiences. The ideas she shares reflect her continued commitment to teaching, researching, writing, and collaborating... Read More →
Tuesday June 25, 2019 9:40am - 10:30am CDT
Room 230
Fake news is quite a hot topic! Not sure how to discuss fake news and finding credible sources with students? Come to this presentation to learn how the presenter teamed up with literacy teachers to collaborate and co-create a unit of study on fake news to aid in helping students determine fake news vs. credible sources. This unit on fake news and credible sources provided an opportunity for students to relate to the real world, and, more importantly, it sparked an honest, open conversation between teachers and students. Three years ago, the presenter began her journey of teaching about credible sources and fake news, but due to the increase of resources and books to teach, her work continues to grow and evolve; in particular through the amazing book titled Fact vs. Fiction: Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in the Age of Fake News, by Jennifer LaGarde and Darren Hudgins, which debuted on 12/19/18. This particular book supports and reaffirms the work that was done. You will gain a plethora of ideas, resources, tips and tricks to teach this hot (but more important than ever) topic to students of all grade levels, K - 12. It is more important than ever for us to teach students how to be the editors of the information they receive from various sources, especially from social media.
Experience the power of using Google Classroom with young students. Learn ways to use this essential tool for assignments, workflow, and communications. You will take away tips and tricks for students, collaborative partners, and team members.
Teach students a routine centered on reading engagement, choice, and independence. Learn the Daily 5 Framework, authentic student tasks, and the eight elements essential for success. Explore how implementation is adaptable to your students' ages, behavioral needs, and strengths. Discover the 10 Steps to Teaching and Learning Independence used to launch Daily 5. Build a student-centered classroom culture focused on trust, respect, and choice.
Here is a chance to get your most pressing literacy questions answered by an expert. Professor Shanahan has played a wide range of roles in his 50 year career in reading education including classroom teacher, Title I reading teacher, reading consultant, researcher, author, university professor, policymaker, school district administrator, and blogger - and has participated in some of the most important projects and activities in the field (e.g., National Reading Panel, Common Core Standards, President of the International Literacy Association). During this interactive session, Dr. Shanahan will provide research - and experience - based answers to questions about literacy and literacy teaching.
Close reading is an integral part of literacy instruction, yet guiding young readers to examine texts closely and carefully can seem challenging. This session will equip primary-grade teachers with the tools and resources they need to successfully engage young readers in close reading experiences that encourage a love of books.
Literacy Coach, Bensenville School District 2, Bensenville, Illinois
Amy Stewart is a literacy coach who works and learns alongside K-3 teachers and students in a suburb of Chicago. An avid reader and writer herself, Amy spends her days working to inspire passionate children who use reading and writing to learn, lead, and create. She is the author... Read More →
Tuesday June 25, 2019 10:55am - 11:40am CDT
Room 250/252
Do your students need to do more writing? Are you tired of the same old prompts? This interactive session will give you examples to incorporate some fun strategies, activities, and prompts for both narrative and expository writing.
Dr. Perry has more than three decades of teaching experience at elementary, middle, high school and university levels. She currently teaches at Buena Vista University and is a literacy and curriculum consultant. She is a member of the executive board of the Hardy Reading Council... Read More →
Mock Caldecott Awards, author visits, character pumpkins, book birthdays and more! Join 2019 Iowa Reading Association Administrator of the Year award recipient, Brian Sammons in learning how to encourage staff and administrators to advocate for literacy by creating exciting and unique opportunities that will get everyone cheering for books!
This presentation describes the principles of One Minute Reader, developed by Read Naturally, to be used as an at home reading program to reinforce and improve a child's reading skills by modeling, repeated reading, and progress monitoring in either book or iPad app format. Schools use it as a checkout program for a student's at home reading during the school year, or it can be used by parents to motivate their child to practice reading at home during the school year or during the summer. One Minute Reader provides students intensive, individualized instruction with feedback, guidance, and ongoing assessment in phonemic awareness, phonics, and reading fluency while building vocabulary and increasing comprehension.
Mackin VIA eBooks are available to every teacher and student in Iowa. Come to this session to get ideas on how these eBooks can be incorporated into your instruction for ALL students.
Calling all Title Rock Stars! Let's have a jam session! It's time to network and share ideas. Connie will present some ideas in the areas of family involvement, motivation, summer school, and reading strategies. We will collaborate together using a Padlet to store ideas shared. Come hang out with some great Rock Stars!
I have been the Title I Instructor and Coordinator at Coon Rapids-Bayard School for 20 years. Prior to that, I taught 4th grade for 7 years. I love to read and see kids make growth in reading! What can I say, Reading Rocks!
The Lindie Lou Adventure Series (book 3 in the series takes place in Des Moines) is a safe, age appropriate, realistic fiction, beginning chapter book series for PK-4. Created by a team with over 30 years of education experience, we have everything you need to introduce the series to your students with no work on your part. This series is being used by librarians, classroom teachers, Reading Specialists/Coaches, ELL, Special Ed, Title 1 teachers and more. Join us to see teaching ideas, book trailers, the lindielou.com website, an author study and more all through the adventures of Lindie Lou.
Creative Editor and Educational Consultant, Pina Publishing
Nancy Kiefer has a Master’s Degree wih an emphasis in Literacy and Technology, and 28 years experience as an elementary classroom teacher and library media specialist. Her education and experience paved the way for her current career, as a Creative Editor and Educational Consultant... Read More →
Tuesday June 25, 2019 10:55am - 11:40am CDT
Room 230
Blending digital and information literacies with a commitment to inclusiveness and respect for diversity within a school culture of literacy and innovation, the Iowa School Library Program Standards (2019) provide school library programs a framework to lead students to think, create, share, and grow. In this demonstration, participants will unpack the standards for their districts.
Get inside what it feels like to have dyslexia - the most common learning disability. Participants will experience a series of hands-on simulation activities designed to increase their understanding of and empathy for students with dyslexia. Myths and facts about dyslexia will be reviewed, including what educators can do to create a dyslexia-friendly classroom.
As the President of Decoding Dyslexia Iowa, I work with legislators and policymakers in our state to promote greater dyslexia awareness and better access to interventions for dyslexia in Iowa schools. In addition to providing professional development on dyslexia, I consult with parents... Read More →
Tuesday June 25, 2019 10:55am - 11:40am CDT
Room 160
To support the instructional needs of struggling readers we must ensure they receive robust instruction without losing sight of their unique learning needs. This session will identify critical components of reading instruction for struggling readers and provide dozens of instructional strategies.
Mary Howard is the author of several books including Good to Great Teaching RTI from All Sides, and Moving Forward with RTI. A reading consultant and literacy coach, she was trained in reading recovery and supports teachers across the country in creating high-quality, literacy awareness... Read More →
In this hands on workshop, learn how transforming students into word wizards as they're immersed in word study using Words Their Way Classroom, engages your students and increases learning. Whether new or experienced with word study, ALL participants will learn something new in this workshop. Get ready to have all "sorts" of fun!
Using photographs, video and children's literature, this session will assist teachers in developing lessons and creating a classroom culture in which students can understand themselves, understand the perspectives of others, and be equipped for social justice advocacy. A variety of resources will be explored and shared.
Bring content to life through animation! You probably know how to find exciting animated GIFs online, but how about creating your own? Teachers and students can create animated GIFs to grab attention, illustrate ideas, break down a process into steps, show a sequence, and make content memorable. Learn how to create your own animated GIFs about any subject with free online tools, including with Google Slides.
Based on Joey Mandel's latest book, Keep Growing: How to encourage students to persevere, overcome setbacks, and develop a growth mindset, this workshop moves theory into teachable moments with explicit examples of ways that you can step in or step out in order to help students begin, move through, and complete hard tasks or face challenging moments.
Author/ illustrator and educator Katherine Hannigan will discuss how reading has influenced her writing, factors that motivate children to want to read, and how we can help children be better readers and writers.
Do you feel like you don't have enough time to meet the needs of all writers during your writer's workshop? Have you tried to create a schedule or structure and it just isn't effective? This session will equip you with tools to prioritize your time during writer's workshop, including tips on individual conferring and small group instruction.
Hey everybody! I am a PK-12 instructional coach and doctoral student in curriculum and instruction. My research focuses on teacher well-being, and more specifically the contextual factors affecting teachers’ ability to thrive in this profession. If nothing else comes out of my work... Read More →
The first battle in getting students to read is getting them interested in books. Ignite excitement for different titles through teacher and student-led book talks. Various middle grade books will be presented through strategies including: First Chapter Friday, 15 Word Speeches, Hooks, Trailers, Dramatic Scene, and more. While the book examples will be from the middle grades, the strategies work across grade levels. A list of book favorites from reluctant readers and their teachers will be provided.
Carrie Campbell is in her eighth year of teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th grade literacy academy at Le Mars Community Middle School. She received her Bachelor of Arts in history and secondary education from Briar Cliff University and her Master's degree and endorsements in reading, middle... Read More →
This action-packed interactive presentation will demonstrate how rigorous activities using cultural relevance empowers students to become aware of their own learning and take ownership of HOW and WHY they view the world as they do, thus becoming cognizant of the world around them. The end result will be global citizens who see learning as a shared process, not a personal product. Through stimulating the mind of the students of today, teachers will learn how culturally relevant teaching is crucial to seeing change, being the change, and making change to create the leaders of tomorrow. That is, if you B.E.L.I.E.V.E!
This presentation will focus on the development and utilization of book bags in preschool through elementary classrooms. During this session, participants will gain a deeper understanding over how to develop interactive book bags and implement book bags with digital and game components to support student literacy. Background information over poverty and parent engagement will be shared to highlight the need for increased literacy resources and interactions within and outside the classroom setting. Dr. Jill Tussey, Buena Vista University, and Amy Clark, Green Hills AEA, have over 20 combined years of educational instruction and personal experience developing and implementing book bags within preschool and elementary classrooms.
Dr. Jill Tussey's career in literacy education has provided a variety of experiences in curriculum and instruction across K-12, undergraduate, and graduate courses. Her areas of interest include student engagement and motivation with targeted focus on digital literacy, poverty... Read More →
Tuesday June 25, 2019 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Fisher Theater
Increase parent, community, and student engagement through social media - use the different social media platforms, as well as some FREE tech tools to promote your library, program, classroom, or school. This session will include several different examples of Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts you can follow for inspiration as well as some practical advice on how to make it all work! Bring a laptop or device to follow-along - there will be time to try some of the tech tools!
This session covers new and engaging ways to reach ALL learners using Britannica! We will explore Britannica's rich and valuable content, as well as text complexity, multi-media resources, vocabulary support tools and more!
Sr. Education Consultant, Britannica Digital Learning
I started my career in an Elementary classroom in Pontiac, MI. After several years teaching at the Elementary and Middle School levels, I moved to Chicago and took a position in the Professional Development Dept. at Britannica Digital Learning. In my position, I work with the Britannica... Read More →
Tuesday June 25, 2019 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 220
Are you a Google Suite user but would love to learn some tips, apps, and extensions that can aid in both instruction and online reading? Then this session is for you.
Having been in education for over three decades, Katy Kauffman now serves as an 8-9 teacher librarian in Ankeny Community School District.You can find Katy on Twitter. @Katy_Kauffman
This presentation will summarize the historical era known as the Orphan Train Movement that took place in the US dating 1854-1929. Speaker Lori Vicker is a retired reading specialist who travels the state sharing her interest and enthusiasm for this little known and forgotten era of history. A bibliography will be provided to highlight popular non-fiction and historical fiction for your reading interest. Lori’s interest in this topic began while teaching Children’s and Adolescent Literature for Viterbo University when she met Mary McClain, an orphan train rider decedent who shared her mother’s experience with teachers in Lori’s classes. Lori’s display includes vintage children’s clothing similar to what might have been worn while traveling westward. She has frequently visited the National Orphan Train Museum in Concordia, Kansas where she has acquired many books and artifacts. Time will be allotted for your questions.
Learn the art of interactive read aloud! In this session, Maria will share a wealth of kid-appealing picture books coupled with tips for meaningful collaborative conversations that will spark high-level comprehension and joyful writing experiences.
1st Grade Teacher/Instructional Specialist, Indian Prairie School District #204, Aurora, IL
Maria Walther has taught first grade since 1986. Along with teaching young learners, Maria inspires educators by sharing her knowledge through engaging professional learning experiences. The ideas she shares reflect her continued commitment to teaching, researching, writing, and collaborating... Read More →
Tuesday June 25, 2019 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 175/179
Discover resources to support the integration of award-winning diverse texts and authors into your classroom/library curriculum. Leave this session with resources that reflect global perspectives to include within literacy work. Access to TeachingBooks provided to accredited public and non-public PreK-12 schools via AEA. Integrate award-winning, diverse books into all content areas. Bring culture and race to the forefront of literacy conversations. Explore primary source materials from authors sharing personal insights.
Implementation and Training Specialist, TeachingBooks
Mary Ellen Graf is an Implementation and Training Specialist for TeachingBooks and a licensed educator with a master's in teaching. She taught in a variety of settings for more than 30 years, most recently as a middle school classroom teacher. Her experience with a wide spectrum of... Read More →
Tuesday June 25, 2019 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 250/252
Join us for an up-close, hands-on overview of 95 Percent Group's Multisyllable Phonics Chip Kit. This resource supports educators in the explicit teaching of syllable types using multisensory techniques, unique manipulatives, and phoneme-grapheme mapping. Through the lens of a couple of syllable types, we'll share a routine that supports students in strategically approaching the reading and spelling of multisyllable words. The manipulatives help students see syllables as chunks so they can more fluently recognize them while reading unknown words. Rapid and automatic recognition of the syllable type is a powerful way to impact reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension skills. During this session, we'll tap into phonology, focusing student attention on spoken syllables, and the phonemes within them. Phonemes serve as the anchors for print. Phonological deficits that persist beyond the early grade levels must be addressed. These instructional routines provide the necessary structured support to move students from phonology to orthography to reading and spelling multisyllable words. Teachers will leave with a sample lesson and manipulatives to use in the classroom.
A special reception for the 6-12th grade first place winners in the Iowa Reading Association's Creative Writing: Poetry & Short Story contest. Winners will present their compositions and meet with author Katherine Hannigan. See page 9 and 10 for a list of winners.
A special reception for the K-5th grade first place winners in the Iowa Reading Association's Creative Writing: Poetry & Short Story contest. Winners will present their compositions and meet with author Jerry Pallotta. See page 9 and 10 for a list of winners.
In recent years, our vision for RTI has become clouded by the distractions that have blurred the lines between what matters. If we could refocus our efforts on what we value, we could bring those values to life and thus re-envision an RTI "with heart". Mary will suggest roadblocks that thwart our pathway to achieving this goal and suggest how we make this "heart shift" a reality.
Mary Howard is the author of several books including Good to Great Teaching RTI from All Sides, and Moving Forward with RTI. A reading consultant and literacy coach, she was trained in reading recovery and supports teachers across the country in creating high-quality, literacy awareness... Read More →
Tuesday June 25, 2019 3:15pm - 4:15pm CDT
Fisher Theater
Get schooled on emojis! Emojis aren’t just cute cartoons you can type. They are a part of the fabric of modern society. Let’s explore the history of emojis, what they mean, and how they affect communication. You should know that emojis are not confined to smartphones and tablets; their charm can be put into action on mobile devices and computers. Tony Vincent is ready to demonstrate how emojis can inspire learning and creativity. He is somewhat obsessed with emojis and has dozens of clever ideas that any educator can use. His innovative suggestions include illustrating ideas, reinforcing vocabulary, retelling stories, and kickstarting the writing process.
Our world has changed. Now more than ever, our role as a teacher must be one of Game Changer. Ambassadors of change. Ambassadors of equity in education. Ambassadors of quality in education. Ambassadors of compassion. Ambassadors of empathy. No one understands this more than our new generation of future educators. Let us inspire, motivate, empower, and elevate our Iowa Literacy Conference Participants of today to be the role models, literacy kings and queens, and innovators of Iowa's tomorrow!
Jerry Pallotta brings together non-fiction subjects with humor and the unexpected to create enthusiasm for learning. Join Jerry for his thirty year review of publishing as he discusses researching, writing, designing, working with illustrators, editing and publishing his best-selling books. Learn how he alphabetizes bugs, skulls, and trucks. Take a math literacy tour through his MATH=FUN series. See Jerry’s newest reluctant reader boy (and girls love it too!) series: Who Would Win, with the newest titles Lobster vs Crab, Ultimate Ocean Rumble, and Jaguar vs Skunk.
Conferring with students is the heart of the reading and writing processes. We know it's important to individualize instruction and meet with students one-on-one, but how does this really work in a classroom? How can you find time to meet with every student every week? What do you talk about? I'll share structure and organization ideas to keep your conferences manageable and meaningful along with specific strategies for talking with students to guide them in their reading and writing development.
Have you always dreamed of being a "Rockstar Librarian" or using centers in your classroom to become a Superstar Teacher? This session will give you some ideas to become just that! Two K-12 librarians will present how their library curriculum and program is now rockin' by using centers. Ideas will be shared on center topics, how to organize centers, tying them to the AASL Standards and the Universal Constructs, using proficiency scales to evaluate centers, and much more. These centers tie to many common core curriculum goals as well. This session will give you ideas on how to use centers to become the "Rockstar Librarian or Superstar Classroom Teacher".
In this highly interactive, heartwarming, and incredibly helpful session, participants learn how to teach every Iowa core reading standard using Hallmark Holiday films. Come see how the implementation of these fun but rigorous student-centered lessons engages ELLs, builds confidence in reading and listening, and increases recognition of standards in other literary works through the successful evidence-based "Hallmark Transfer Technique". Participants leave with a completed Hallmark Holiday Movie lesson, Academic Reading Binder Core Guide, and a powerful Culturally Responsive Inquiry lesson that dives deeper and challenges topics such as the importance of tradition, food, family, women empowerment, equitable representation of all, focus groups, American advertising, marketing, and more!
Whether you already have an established reading and writing workshop or would like to try the workshop model for the first time, this session will offer book talks and writing ideas you can implement in your classroom. Plus a free spiral booklet for all attendees.
Language and Theatre Arts Teacher, Pella Christian Grade School
I have been teaching middle school language arts in a variety of settings since 1997. I have a Masters Degree in curricular design from Calvin College.I love teaching middle school language arts and directing the 8th Grade Theatre Troupe at Pella Christian Grade School. My passions... Read More →
Wednesday June 26, 2019 9:40am - 10:30am CDT
Room 175/179
How do we encourage and teach students to revise their writing so they can make changes that meet 21st century demands for writing? How can students think about the revision process as they plan and draft their writing? Come to this session and practice yourself!
Are you looking for ways to use technology in your elementary classroom that go beyond skill and drill practice? This session will share many teaching ideas for your students to use to explore, create, present, and ENGAGE in learning! Ideas will be presented for use on iPads and laptops (web-based) with examples from grades K-3.
Magnify the power of instruction when the classroom teacher partners with the school librarian. Learn how to collaborate from the planning stage through assessment. This session shows how the two can integrate technology and magnify contact time with students.
Having been in education for over three decades, Katy Kauffman now serves as an 8-9 teacher librarian in Ankeny Community School District.You can find Katy on Twitter. @Katy_Kauffman
Wednesday June 26, 2019 9:40am - 10:30am CDT
Room 167/171
Children's Literature has power. The right books can teach friendship, empathy, identity and content! We'll look at some newer titles that will engage students as well as offer teachable moments. We'll also take a look at how these books can be integrated into lessons and connect to standards!
Use the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Award Winning Notable Trade Books to teach the new social studies standards and connect to literacy standards at the same time. In this presentation, books will be matched to SS and ELA standards with examples of how teachers can use the books in versatile ways with a variety of strategies. Many highlighted books will be given away at the end of presentation. (must be present to win a book).
Kim Heckart has focused on teaching in learning for the past 28 years. She graduated from Truman State University in 1990 with a BSE in Elementary Education. Later she received her Reading Endorsement from Iowa Wesleyan College and her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from... Read More →
Feeling overwhelmed by all those essays on your desk? Come to this session to discuss how to apply best practices in assessment and evaluation of literacy while avoiding the endless paperwork. Walk away with resources that make assessment and feedback easier.
I currently teach 6th grade English at Osage Middle School. I am also an instructional coach for our district. I am passionate about standards-based learning and providing students with quality feedback through authentic assessments. Join me for a discussion about best practices in... Read More →
Teacher Librarian, Dallas Center - Grimes Middle School
I am a former 8th grade language arts teacher turned middle school teacher librarian. I love road trips and greyhounds, but I can become wiggly excited about most other things.
We partnered as an IC, classroom teacher and university researcher, to understand what transpires as we develop students' voices to write from the beginning of kindergarten and progress quickly in reading and writing as students write what they want to say as authors, not write what sight words they know in January. This transformation for students & teaching created a JOY in this social classroom..
Most schools have a unified approach to reading, but writing is often a close-the-door and do-your-own-thing instructional model, with many teachers assigning writing more often than teaching it. Learn and practice the four essential elements that must be part of any successful school-wide writing program.
Many interventions promise strong results, but do they have the components of an effective intervention? In this session, we provide an in-depth explanation of the five components of an effective intervention and share how they are supported by research. We demonstrate each component using reading intervention examples so that participants understand why they are critical for ensuring student learning. Having knowledge of the effective intervention components provides educators with the tools to determine appropriate and effective pathways for student success. Participants will receive resources to guide them in implementing interventions that include all five components of an effective intervention.
Are you tired of being told what needs to be taught in word study, but are at a loss as to how to tie all the pieces together without it feeling like a three ring circus? This session combines the pieces of effective word study instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, prefixes, suffixes, vocabulary, and spelling. We will show you how the pieces can naturally and systematically all fit together. Literacy leader, Heather Schulz, and first grade teacher, Amy Bear, will take you through their firsthand experiences of using instructional routines in an interactive, engaging and effective way. You will come away from the session looking at word study instruction through a different lens. You will be prepared to motivate your students in ways you never thought possible.
My name is Heather Schulz and I am a Literacy Leader at East Elementary in Ankeny, Iowa. I feel passionately about teaching explicit, systematic, phonics instruction to every child. Developing a strong foundation in word study doesn't leave anything to chance and builds strong readers... Read More →
Wednesday June 26, 2019 10:55am - 11:45am CDT
Room 175/179
Participants will be exposed to Social Studies writing in a literacy classroom. Using The Inquiry approach, participants will learn how to use compelling questions to write.
The presenter will walk participants through the meaning and purpose of annotations. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how to engage students with purposeful annotations based on literacy standards. Participants will engage in the process of discussion and decision making of how they might be able to implement this process into what they currently do more effectively in their own classrooms. Once the participant has become familiar with annotation skills, he or she will apply that within a variety of close reading strategies.
I have been in education for over twenty-five years. I had the wonderful experience working with four-year-old students at a local preschool for over ten years. During that time, I worked toward my degree in education. While my primary focus has been on general fourth and fifth grade... Read More →
Learning Targets: In this session participants will: 1. become familiar with the 4 Cs: creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication; 2. learn how to go beyond the basic read aloud using hands on and tech integrated activities and challenges rooted in the 4 Cs; 3. investigate a variety of tech tools, robots and building materials that can be integrated into literacy extension activities. Description: Join two unconventional librarians as we go beyond the basic read aloud and give you all the tools you need to Ramp Up Your Read Aloud! Participants will walk away with a variety of hands on and tech integrated activities and challenges that will take your literacy practice to the next level.
Jenahlee Chamberlain is in her 11th year as an elementary teacher librarian in the Iowa City Community School District. As part of her library philosophy, she believes all libraries should be the hub of every school and loud libraries are the best libraries. Jenahlee has been successful... Read More →
Wednesday June 26, 2019 10:55am - 11:45am CDT
Fisher Theater
GeoTools aren't just for Social Studies! Try out cross-curricular storytelling tools like TourBuilder, MyMaps, Voyager Stories, and more to develop geo-literacy for all ages. Leave with classroom-ready resources and book titles to support geo-literacy.
Join College Readiness Committee members as we share resources and methods for inviting teacher collaboration with our unique collection of first-year college assignments. We will workshop a great way to analyze these assignments and brainstorm additional ways to make in-roads with classroom teachers.
Engage readers and add to your reader's advisory repertoire. Find new titles for readers and share resources in a variety of formats that enhance lessons and meet your instructional goals. Utilize advanced search techniques to locate digital resources to entice readers and deepen comprehension. Access to TeachingBooks provided to accredited public and non-public PreK-12 schools via AEA. Search efficiently using techniques that will match titles to readers. Examine a variety of resource types to differentiate instruction and engage readers. Collaborate and share resources effortlessly with colleagues, students, and families.
Implementation and Training Specialist, TeachingBooks
Mary Ellen Graf is an Implementation and Training Specialist for TeachingBooks and a licensed educator with a master's in teaching. She taught in a variety of settings for more than 30 years, most recently as a middle school classroom teacher. Her experience with a wide spectrum of... Read More →
Wednesday June 26, 2019 10:55am - 11:45am CDT
Room 275
Starting with ideas on sharing a book in your classroom or media center, current and past officers of the Iowa Reading Association will help you get on the path to becoming a "Reading Rockstar" in your school or district. Every teacher and teacher librarian can take that path and "dance" their way from being a great teacher to becoming a true "Reading Rockstar" teacher. Check out the top ten research strategies to support reading in your school or district that are shared with members of the Iowa Reading Association. Details about the benefits of becoming a member of the Iowa Reading Association will be integrated throughout the session. A free book will be handed out to the first fifty participants in the session. P.S. Karaoke will not be included in this presentation, but almost everything else is part of this session!
Nearpod offers inclusive, multimedia learning experiences to engage audiences of any age. Users can choose from customizable, ready-made lessons (free and paid) or import a variety of lesson formats (pdf, ppt, jpeg) to add interactive features. Using codes, lessons can be launched live or student paced. Teachers instantly receive feedback as students complete activities, and they can later access session reports. Come learn how teachers are using Nearpod, explore ways to use it in your classroom, and design a Nearpod lesson. Sign up for a free account today.
Sherry has been teaching reading and writing for Sioux City Community Schools and Western Iowa Tech Community College since 2011. She studied at Buena Vista University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. While continuing to teach, she earned a Professional Educator... Read More →
Wednesday June 26, 2019 10:55am - 11:45am CDT
Room 230
Meaning is made when reading and writing crash together in the conventions of language. Where do concept formation and mentor texts fit in? Come discover brain-based, practical ways to use the reading and writing connection to teach grammar and editing in a way that enhances composition and comprehension.
During this workshop, Newbery Medal winner and New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander engages educators in how to tap into students’ creativity for reading and writing and shares the essential tools and techniques that will get students leaping creatively off the ledge to becoming confident writers.
In response to increasing accountability and emphasis on standardized testing in education environments, it is more important than ever for teachers to trust in their own professionalism in the literacy classroom. This session will provide participants with an opportunity to reflect on their careers in education, and learn and share strategies to develop and sustain their philosophies around literacy teaching in the midst of external pressures. Teachers will leave with a plan for aligning their beliefs and instructional practices for implementation in the upcoming school year.
Hey everybody! I am a PK-12 instructional coach and doctoral student in curriculum and instruction. My research focuses on teacher well-being, and more specifically the contextual factors affecting teachers’ ability to thrive in this profession. If nothing else comes out of my work... Read More →
We took 3 simple ideas that most people would agree help students become better readers and created an activity that has students finishing books like never before, recommending books to each other, and joyously talking about what they are reading. Oh yeah...and they improved their test scores, too.
In this eye-opening workshop, participants learn about Transformative Emotional Intelligence (TEI) and the positive impact it has on teacher resilience and mental health. With real talk and self-awareness as it pertains to teaching in our present climate, participants engage in seven strategic techniques that introduce TEI to help achieve meaningful growth and change and bring out individual potential for intelligent self-direction and new behaviors that lead to a stronger, healthier classroom culture and community. That is, if you B.E.L.I.E.V.E!
How do you choose "Mentor Texts" for writing? And then how do you "use" the texts to strategically teach writing in a way that sticks? How do you teach students to curate their own mentor texts? Come to this session and practice text selection and use!
The presenter will walk participants through the process of creating solid units for reading, writing, and social studies with some connections to math and science. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how to integrate content across the disciplines to create a more rigorous curriculum for students by engaging in core reading and writing strategies that support the content. Participants will engage in the process of discussion and decision making as part of the student experience within an integrated unit though historical fiction, relevant nonfiction texts, and simulations. Participants will walk away with a list of historical fiction books related to American History.
I have been in education for over twenty-five years. I had the wonderful experience working with four-year-old students at a local preschool for over ten years. During that time, I worked toward my degree in education. While my primary focus has been on general fourth and fifth grade... Read More →
In the spirit of the Read Woke movement, the Iowa City West High library established "The Books Are Lit", a book club focusing on main characters from marginalized populations. This session will detail the planning process, the club kick-off with author Nic Stone, an the criteria for book selection.
Jill Hofmockel is in her thirteenth year as a teacher-librarian in the Iowa City schools. She helped create the Iowa Association of School Librarians as a subdivision of ILA while serving as President of the Iowa Educational Media Association. Jill has also served as the Iowa liaison... Read More →
Wednesday June 26, 2019 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 240
Bring your own device and follow along as we explore videos filmed in authors' studios, lesson plans, book trailers, vocabulary lists, and more! Discover author and book resources that will expand the reading experience and deepen connection to engage readers, support family literacy, and empower colleagues. Together we will explore new features, accessibility tools, and ways to support collaboration and excitement around books and authors across all curricular areas and genres. Access to TeachingBooks provided to accredited public and non-public PreK-12 schools via AEA. Enchant readers with resources for new titles. Transform understanding with insights from authors. Charm readers with just right titles.
Implementation and Training Specialist, TeachingBooks
Mary Ellen Graf is an Implementation and Training Specialist for TeachingBooks and a licensed educator with a master's in teaching. She taught in a variety of settings for more than 30 years, most recently as a middle school classroom teacher. Her experience with a wide spectrum of... Read More →
Wednesday June 26, 2019 2:00pm - 2:50pm CDT
Room 275
Let curiosity drive learning in all content areas by immersing students in rich content (print and digital). When students engage in digital texts using tools such as highlighting, note taking, hover dictionaries, and more their comprehension deepens. We will explore how balancing your print texts with digital content will enhance the literacy and learning for students. Approaching a content area topic with inquiry, choice, and student voice can increase the joy students experience with disciplinary learning.
Joe will invite audience members to participate in the podcast conversation by asking questions and/or sharing personal stories regarding the episodes topic which is chosen by the client or sponsor. Audience members will learn and and grow in an open conversation format with Joe hosting as the facilitator and main contributor. In the past, live tapings at Joe’s speaking events have been incredibly successful with the podcast itself serving as a vessel of exposures do the conference at hand. Typically growing awareness to the teaching community and increasing registration for the following year. Joe most recently filmed a live taping of Study’s Hall at Central Michigan University where he engaged approx. 200 pre-service teachers in meaningful conversations surrounding the field of education. You can take a listen to this particular episode using the link below: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5MX0twYFzmu8crWN0DkHeg?si=LaXTpnCPT-m6NeXLcdrpCw
Have you ever had that one individual who was really frustrating, and you weren't sure of how to deal with him or her in a positive manner? Despite your best efforts, the interaction between you and this individual turned out poorly. Participants in this session will learn how to: identify how most people respond in conflicts, avoid arguments and power struggles with difficult people, and ways to invest less time and energy in conflicts and create less stress in your life.
Mr. D has studied the art of improv comedy for years. With that said, it's no surprise that his classroom experiences can be quite comical. His goal for education is for students to WANT to be in school rather than HAVE to be in school. In this keynote, Mr. D shares stories, strategies, and practices of how he maintains a high level of engagement, fun, laughter, and rigor in the classroom. If, even by just a small amount, we can increase student laughter while they are learning, we will start to see a deeper engagement and understanding of our instruction! If there is anyone that can be a model for fun in the classroom, it is Mr. D!
Participants will be able to understand the differences between burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma, recognize the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue, learn the role of stress responses when experiencing compassion fatigue, and assess and score current level of professional satisfaction with employment.
