Friday, April 8, 2016 Schedule of Events 1

Friday, April 8, 2016 Schedule of Events

**Conference Registration Check-in 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM **

Legislative Breakfast ~ 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM $12

Welcome and Morning Keynote 8:15 AM – 9:30 AM

One Hour Sessions 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

Sandra Athans, National Board Certified Practicing Classroom Teacher, Author Twenty -Five Top Tips , Tr i cks , Too ls and Techniques to Del iv er Master fu l Close -Reading Ins t ruc t ion to ALL Students ! In this fast-paced and comprehensive session, the presenter -- a National Board Certified literacy specialist, practicing classroom teacher, and author -- shares 25 practical tips, tricks, tools, and more for delivering effective close-reading instruction. These classroom savvy strategies are researched-based essentials and represent the new classroom "must-haves" that can enable teachers to strengthen and target their close reading instruction so all students can achieve greater academic success, transform their literacy skills, and better meet the high expectations of the National Standards. (2-6)

Sponsored by Scholastic ~~~

Maria Walther, First Grade Teacher, Illinois, National Board Certified Classroom Teacher, Author Assess , Dec ide , and Guide : The Keys to Help ing ALL Readers Succe ed To help students become thoughtful, independent readers, it's essential to know students' specific learning needs and surround them with targeted reading support. Join Maria as she shares a powerful instructional framework and practical tips for using data to make informed decisions and guide readers. Learn how to differentiate reading lessons to match students’ stages of reading development and meet the needs of individual readers by pinpointing a teaching focus, carefully matching readers with texts, strategically prompting, and providing ample time for comprehension conversations. You’ll leave with a wealth of classroom-tested strategies to transform your reading instruction! (K-5)

Sponsored by Scholastic ~~~

Donald Bear Professor, Iowa State University, ILA Board Member

Literacy for All: Essential Literacy Activities

Sponsored by Pearson

US Representative Katherine Clark

MRA 2016 Reading Advocate Award Recipient From Congress to the Classroom:

How Legislation Affects All of Us

Sponsored by B. Lothrop Books & OKAPI Education

Friday, April 8, 2016 Schedule of Events 2

One Hour Sessions 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM Continued

Karen Janowski, Assistive Technology Consultant EdTech Solutions, Adjunct Professor, Simmons College Graduate School of Education ~ Leandra Elion, Literacy Coordinator K-12, Watertown Public Schools; Adjunct Professor, Tufts University and Brandeis University Apps for Lit e racy : Giv ing your Strugg l ing Students a Voice in Lit eracy Which apps teach, reinforce and most importantly, allow a student to show his or her reading and writing skills? From text-to-speech, speech-to-text and other interactive apps, this presentation will feature many classroom tested apps that demonstrate the power of assistive technology in literacy teaching. Attendees should bring their own device (iPad or smartphone) to the session. (K-6)

Lois Cook Technology Session ~~~

Martha Adam Colwell, Associate Professor, Literacy and Language Framingham State University Stephanie Ahearn, Kylie Hilliard, Julie Monaco, Framingham State University Graduate Students Teachers Make a Dif f e r ence When They Know What Rea l ly Matter s fo r Strugg l ing Readers

Vicki Jacobs, Lecturer on Education Director, Field Experience Program Special Studies Program, Teacher Education Program Fieldwork, Harvard Graduate School of Education What All Teachers Need to Know about Academic Vocabulary Ins truc t ion

Susan Smith, Westborough High School English Teacher, Graduate Student Framingham State University Marsha Pelletier, Westborough High School English Teacher Resul t s o f Adding Student Choi c e to High Schoo l Engl i sh Classes

Stephanie Spadorcia, Associate Professor, Language and Literacy Graduate School of Education Lesley University Alexa Mitrano, Jason Tavares, Kimberly DiTullio, Lesley University The Use o f “Se l f i e s” as a Too l fo r Re f l e c t ion and Assessment o f Learning : Students and Teachers Taking Pic tures o f The ir Learning

Barbara Steckel, Ed. D. Associate Professor, Division of Language and Literacy Graduate School of Education Lesley University, President: MACURE Technology Integration: Stories from Primary and Elementary Classrooms

Massachuse t t s Assoc ia t ion for Col l eg e and Univers i t y Reading Educators (MACURE) Research Roundtab le ~~~

Cami Condie, Assistant Professor, Salem State University Solv ing Di lemmas for Increas ing ELLs’ Comprehens ion o f In format iona l Text in the Content Areas Many children struggle to comprehend informational text in the content areas. This presentation will present solutions to common problems and strategies to help elementary ELLs comprehend informational texts and develop disciplinary literacy in Science and Social Studies. (K-8)

~~~ Barbara Masley, Former Elementary School Teacher and Principal, Curriculum Specialist, and Staff Developer Bookta lk Bas i c s and Beyond: Trans forming Reading Cul ture by Empower ing Student Voice s Whether you’re a booktalking pro or it’s your first time hearing the term, you’ll find something to love in this fast-paced workshop. Designed to totally revamp the way your students talk about books with each other. There’s nothing quite like peer recommendations to make books fly off the shelves, and we’ll offer you several options to build a booktalking culture in your entire school. As students read, and write, edit, and share booktalks, they prepare for a world of reading that extends well beyond your classroom. (K-12)

Sponsored by Scholastic Book Fairs ~~~

Kathleen Provost, Heather Fisher, Literacy Coaches, Hudson Public Schools Summer Sl ide So lu t ions Let’s prevent the summer slide! Join us as we explore ways to increase motivation and engagement for all readers over the summer months. Our presentation will focus on making plans for reading over the summer so that all students have the opportunity to maintain, and even grow as readers. (K-5)

~~~ Kathryn Contini, Grade 6 ELA Teacher, Blanchard Memorial School, Boxborough; Adjunct Faculty, PhD Student, Lesley University ~ Erin Whyte, Fourth Grade Teacher, Blanchard Memorial School, Boxborough Redis cover ing the Voice o f the Middle Schoo l Reader Middle school students have great voice that they love to share via social media. Why not tap into that ability to improve their literacy skills? Using poetry and other selected texts, teachers will explore ways to use grade level reading and writing materials to create opportunities for their students to find their voice. Activities such as poetry slams, poems for two voices, found poems, reader's theater scripts, book trailers, public service announcements and other ideas will be shared. (4-8)

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Friday, April 8, 2016 Schedule of Events 3

One Hour Sessions 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Peter Billman-Golemme, English and Journalism Teacher, South Hadley High School The ORB: So Much More Than a Book Repor t Inspired by “Fifty Alternatives to the Book Report,” an NCTE English Journal article, one teacher completely revamped traditional book reports to create interactive ORBs – outside reading book presentations – that provide opportunities for students to differentiate, critique, and engage with an audience. Participants will learn the three elements of an ORB: a project, a book review, and an in-depth presentation with a guided Q & A session at the end. Paper and digital handouts will be provided, and time will be available for attendees to brainstorm ways to incorporate ORBs into their classrooms. (9-12)

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Donald Bear, Professor, Iowa State University, ILA Board Member Rout ines and Act iv i t i e s in Word Study for Phoni c s , Vocabulary , and Spe l l ing Ins t ruc t ion Explore schedules and activities to implement word study in the classroom. Routines for teacher-guided small group, and independent learning are introduced. Spelling routines are considered as part of word study. Examine sorts and activities at each developmental stage. Concept sorts and other practices to teach vocabulary are introduced. Instructional practices with English learners are integrated throughout. Core standards are addressed particularly in the areas of foundational skills, reading, writing, and language. (K-6)

Sponsored by Pearson ~~~

Peggy Coyne, Research Scientist, Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) ~ Lori DiGisi, English Language Arts Department Head, Fuller Middle School, Framingham Technology Session Universa l Des ign for Learning and Writ ing to Suppor t Comprehens ion : Engag ing Strugg l ing Middle Schoo l Students An overview of Universal Design for Learning will provide participants with a framework for effective use of writing through online discussions to support comprehension for struggling middle school students. A demonstration of a UDL environment that promotes comprehension through online dialogue and other free web-based environments will be provided. (6-8)

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Kathleen Merten, Ann Williams, Fourth Grade Teachers, John F. Kennedy School, Franklin Using the Interac t iv e Read Aloud in the Reader ' s Workshop Classroom By incorporating authentic literature in the Readers Workshop classroom, teachers can reach all students using interactive read alouds that are engaging and motivating. Participants will learn how to create an interactive read aloud unit that addresses the MA Curriculum standards while differentiating instruction for all students. (2-6)

~~~ Lisa DiSarro, Anne Irza-Leggat, Donna Spurlock, Houghton Mifflin, Candlewick Press, Charlesbridge Local Publ i shers Share Hot New Reads for Our Classrooms Representatives from three local Boston publishers will present their hottest new books for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Connect with these local resources to learn more about upcoming books and the "story behind the story.” They will also share ways to foster curious learners and excite lifelong readers. Free Book Give-Away! (K-12)

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Katharine Covino-Poutasse, Assistant Professor, English Studies, Fitchburg State University Equal Acces s fo r All : Cri t i ca l Li t eracy a t Work in an Urban, Ear ly -Elementary Schoo l Reading Classroom Can struggling readers and English Language Learners engage successfully with critical literacy? The answer is unequivocally 'YES!' Recent research carried out in a local, urban early-elementary school classroom offers literacy teachers, coaches, and specialists examples of best practices and 'on-the-ground' strategies designed to support their students' critical thinking, reading, and writing. (K-3)

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Kate Raffile, Enrichment Specialist, Old Rochester Regional School District Making Sense o f Li t eracy RTI in the Classroom After researching literacy intervention in New Zealand, this presentation will discuss New Zealand’s emphasis on collaboration, the use of assessment and overall teacher judgement, differentiated instruction, and using resources for the success of all students. (K-6)

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Lisa Maucione, Literacy Specialist, Dartmouth Public Schools Writ ing About Reading to Enhance Comprehens ion Writing about reading can enhance students’ understanding of the texts they read. By writing short, informal responses students are reflecting on their reading and making meaning. In this session, the presenter will demonstrate strategies that can engage students in writing about their reading. (3-6)

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Friday, April 8, 2016 Schedule of Events 4

One Hour Sessions 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM Continued Leslie Means, Eighth Grade English Teacher, Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School Creat ing Ef f e c t i v e Peer Rev i ewers a t the Secondary Leve l This presentation will establish the benefits of using peer review and examine tools to elicit effective feedback from secondary students, allowing students to complete more written assignments without increasing the grading burden for teachers of writing. (6-12)

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Leo F. Hanley Luncheon ~ 12:45 PM - 2:30 PM $30

Super Salad Lunch ~ 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM $20

Abbott, Feiffer Author Boxed Lunch ~ 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM $20

Engaging All Readers and Writers

Tony Abbott Kate Feiffer

Goodman, Johnson, O’Brien Author Boxed Lunch ~ 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM $20

Local History, Diversity, and Everyday Drama

Susan E. Goodman F. Davis Johnson Anne Sibley O’Brien

Ernest Morrell Author, Macy Professor of Education; Director, Institute for Urban

and Minority Education, Teachers College, Columbia University

Developing Powerful Readers and Writers in Diverse 21st Century Classrooms

Writing Literacy for the Struggling Reader

Tammy Mulligan and Clare Landrigan Staff Developers and Authors, Teachers for Teachers

The Student's Role in Assessment

Laughing Matters

The First Step: Bringing Local History Alive

Turning Everyday

Dramas into a Children's Book

That's My Story! Literature

Featuring Immigrant and

Refugee Children

Friday, April 8, 2016 Schedule of Events 5

Andrea Davis Pinkney Author, Publisher, Editor

Reading Joy for Every Voice

Sponsored by Scholastic Book Fairs

Ninety Minute Workshops 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Laurie Higgins, Title I Reading Specialist at an ELL magnet school in Stoughton ~ Katie Monahan, Third Grade Teacher at a Title I and ELL magnet school in Stoughton Pic ture This ! Using Pic ture Books to Anchor the Common Core Teachers have been asked to align their curriculum to the CCSS while engaging all learners. What if you already had everything you needed to address these CCSS? Presenters from an ELL, Title I school will focus on the use of picture books, and accompanying strategies, to anchor and teach the literature standards. (PreK-6)

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Katherine Beauchat, Associate Professor, Education, York College of Pennsylvania ~ Katrin Blamey, Assistant Professor, Education, DeSales University Word Walk: An Engag ing Vocabulary Stra tegy for Young Chi ldren This session will describe an instructional procedure for explicit vocabulary instruction in the context of storybook reading designed specifically for young children in grades PK-2. The presenters will present the research base for the vocabulary protocol, called Word Walk. In addition, presenters will discuss how to implement the instructional sequence and outcomes of using the protocol with children from diverse backgrounds. Attendees will leave the session with the knowledge of how to plan and implement a new vocabulary instructional sequence in their classroom. (PreK-2)

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Elizabeth Hale, Doctoral Candidate, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Literacy Consultant Suppor t ing Engagement and Independence wi th Reader ’ s Notebooks for All Students This session will offer practical strategies and lessons on using the reader’s notebook as a teaching tool so students of all ability levels learn specific ways to think and write critically about narrative and nonfiction texts. Elizabeth will model a variety of lessons, show examples of student writing, and share strategies for supporting independent entries. (3-8)

~~~ Chip Brady, Co-founder and co-author of The DBQ Project ~ Molly Winter, Curriculum Developer, The DBQ Projet Analys i s and Argument : Using Document Based Ques t ions in His tory and Litera ture to Reach All Students Using a mixture of fiction and nonfiction documents, DBQs in History and Literature can sharpen students’ critical thinking, close reading, and evidence-based argument writing skills. This method allows students at all skill levels, grades 4-12, to excel in the sophisticated DBQ experience. (4-12)

Afternoon Keynote 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

MRA Annual General Assembly ~ 4:00 PM - 5:00PM 2015-2016 MRA President Nancy Verdolino

Everyone welcome to attend!