Ralph Fletcher

Auditorium (PAC)

Removing The Chill From The Writing Classroom (All Grades)

Many teachers report that the zest and excitement is missing from the writing classroom. What are some practical steps we can take to warm up the climate so that kids can find their stride as writers?

Ralph Fletcher

Auditorium (PAC

Helping Students Write Lively Nonfiction (gr. 2-8)

Nowadays we challenge students to write more nonfiction. Alas, much of this nonfiction turns out to be formulaic and voiceless. This session will provide practical ways we can help students write nonfiction that crackles with energy. We’ll look at ways skilled nonfiction writers use techniques drawn from every genre. Ralph’s latest book is Making Nonfiction From Scratch (Stenhouse).

Penny Kittle

Band Room (M106)

Keeping the Reading and Writing of Poetry Central to Our Core gr. 2-12

Our students don’t just “fall into reading and writing” the way we choose to. We have to nudge them into possibilities. In this session I will show you ways that I am helping students keep the reading and writing of poetry central to their core. The musical rhythm and richly crafted images in poetry spark writing in even my most reluctant students, help them make connections to others, and lead them to the stories and ideas that will drive their best writing. We stand next to beautiful words and we all write better. Come to write, think, and share with me.

Katie Muhtaris

Tiger Central (G126)

Amplify Your Writing Voice With Technology Tools: The Power of Connecting Kids to Audience (K-6)

As writers we know that we get valuable feedback and validation when we are able to connect with an audience. Our students need that same connection. How can we use technology to help students find meaningful connections with their intended audience? How can we teach students to be thoughtful readers of each other's work? In this session we’ll brainstorm together and explore the ways in which we build writing communities in our classrooms using thoughtful technology

Linda Hoyt

Lecture Room (G152)

Wild About Words: Elevating Language and Vocabulary K-8

The relationship between vocabulary, comprehension and writing quality is unparalleled in importance. This session will provide a wide array of vocabulary enhancing experiences and strategies that you can apply across the curriculum. Buckle up for a session that is loaded with hands-on, ready-to-use strategies that will expand linguistic competence and improve writing.

Rebekah O’Dell and Allison Marchetti

Choir Room (M114)

Writing With Mentors 6-12

In this session, participants will hear the case for making multiple current and engaging mentor texts a central part of writing instruction. Participants will receive strategies for finding mentor texts, storing and managing mentor texts, and using mentor text to plan units of writing study.

Dr. Sheryl Stump, Professor,

Department of Mathematical Sciences, Ball State University

Little Tiger Central (G124)

Developing Mathematical Fluency in Grades 3-5: Fraction Concepts

In this session,we'll examine a developmental progression and explore tasks, representations, and language designed to help children understand fraction concepts.

Ralph Fletcher

Auditorium (PAC)

How Mentor Texts Lift Student Writing (Gr. 2-8) 

The writing in a classroom can only be as strong as the literature the supports and surrounds and buoys it up. How can we build in structures to deepen the reading-writing connection so what students read can nourish what they write?

Penny Kittle

Band Room (M106)

Book Clubs: Connecting Kids to Books and Each Other Gr. 5-12

Reading habits do not emerge by accident, but through careful and purposeful modeling and instruction. We must meet children's social and learning needs as we support their lives as readers. These needs are intertwined and interdependent and have more to do with reading success than school-centered standards do. We will consider classroom conditions grounded in the key principles for motivation: relevance, engagement, and success. I will show how I help readers construct identities of power and opportunity, to challenge themselves as readers, and to act with agency in my classroom through meaningful talk and writing in book clubs.

Katie Muhtaris

Tiger Central( G126)

Creative Technology that Gets Kids Thinking, Talking, and Writing (K-2)

How can we use technology to inspire ideas, further investigation, promote collaboration, and facilitate creation? In this session we will explore these ideas as well as versatile tools to expand our repertoire in writing across the curriculum. Technology can be a meaningful and engaging way to amplify our writing instruction and facilitate inquiry learning across and beyond the school day.

Terry Thompson

Lecture Room (G152)

The Language of Responsibility: Moving Readers and Writers towards Independence Gr K-6

In the feedback loops that drive our instruction, we must be intentional about using specific language to move readers and writers towards independence. But do you ever struggle with the right words at the right time? Come explore how to shift your responses to student efforts and choose feedback that parallels the increasing responsibility you're scaffolding them toward.

Rebekah O’Dell and Allison Marchetti

Choir Room (M114)

Mentors for Play Gr 6-12

How can we increase students' sense of playful risk-taking in their writing? One way is by engaging students in routine writing play with mentor texts at the forefront. In this session, participants will try out some mentor-text-driven notebook time. Participants will explore the possibilities for encouraging idea development and even expanding notebook time into longer, polished pieces of writing.

Kim Kabrich and Liz Kinsey

Little Tiger Central (G124)

Math Reasoning through the Use of Number Lines K-5

Come join us as we share ways to use the concepts of number lines across your grade level standards. Number lines can be used in a variety of ways to help us develop our mathematical reasoning across the standards.

Penny Kittle

Band Room (M106)  

Book Clubs: Connecting Kids to Books and Each Other Gr. 5-12 (repeat session 3)

Reading habits do not emerge by accident, but through careful and purposeful modeling and instruction. We must meet children's social and learning needs as we support their lives as readers. These needs are intertwined and interdependent and have more to do with reading success than school-centered standards do. We will consider classroom conditions grounded in the key principles for motivation: relevance, engagement, and success. I will show how I help readers construct identities of power and opportunity, to challenge themselves as readers, and to act with agency in my classroom through meaningful talk and writing in book clubs.

Ignite Talk -Lori Hochstetler, Patti Newman, Liz Kinsey, Stacy Revere

Tiger Central (G126)

You Don't Have to Know Everything about Math

Math can be an intimidating subject.  Come hear ways to make math more accessible to your students.

Patti Newman   -Follow Your Students - Learning how Number Talks, math journals, and productive struggle inform your next instructional steps.

Lori Hochstetler - Math in the Real World - Learning how to use everyday experiences for math tasks.

Staci Revere -  Small Changes that Make a Big Difference  -Changing the mindset of middle school and high school teachers about Math is a process.

Liz Kinsey - The Brain and Mathematics - Benefits of learning concretely before moving to abstract learning.

Linda Hoyt

Lecture Room (G152)

Mastering the Mechanics: Recasting Conventions as Craft Elements K-8

Conventions and mechanics do not have to be boring! The trick is to consider conventions as tools for lifting writing quality, rather than rote-level functions of correctness. With meaning as the focus, conventions take on new life as writers utilize introductory elements followed by a comma, or insert onomatopoeia words combined with exclamation marks to bring life and voice to writing. When teachers use fabulous literature selections as mentors in combination with modeled writing that explicitly demonstrates conventions as craft elements that can be used across the curriculum, students write with increased power and communicative competence.

Dr. Sheryl Stump

Little Tiger Central (G124)

Developing Mathematical Fluency in Grades 6-8: Algebra Concepts Gr 6-8

In this session, we'll examine a developmental progression and explore tasks, representations, and language designed to help students understand algebra concepts.

Katie Muhtaris

Auditorium (PAC)

Creative Technology that Gets Kids Thinking, Talking, and Writing Gr 2-6

How can we use technology to inspire ideas, further investigation, promote collaboration, and facilitate creation? In this session we will explore these ideas as well as versatile tools to expand our repertoire in writing across the curriculum. Technology can be a meaningful and engaging way to amplify our writing instruction and facilitate inquiry learning across and beyond the school day.

Rebekah O’Dell and Allison Marchetti

Band Room (M106)

Mentors for Planning & Writing Gr 6-12

Mentor texts instruct and inspire student writing at every phase of the writing process. In this session, participants will dive into mentor texts to explore how they can help students plan a piece of writing and how they can help student writers solve writing problems in the midst of drafting. We will share strategies for whole-class and small group instruction, as well as ways to confer with students using mentor texts, and ideas for mentor text-based student-led writing groups.

Terry Thompson

Tiger Central (G126)

When Working Hard is Hardly Working: Are You Scaffolding or Rescuing? Gr K-6

Have you ever finished a lesson and walked away with the sinking suspicion that you worked harder than your students? Join us as we explore the difference between scaffolding to support independence and rescuing to foster dependence. Along the way, we'll take a closer look at our instructional moves, the intentions that drive them, and how and awareness of both can help our work serve as conduits for our young readers and writers to shine on their own. (This is a throwback session from 2014. Thanks, Terry,  for bringing back this popular session!)

Linda Hoyt

Lecture Room (G152)

Igniting a Sense of Wonder with Power Writes! K-8

With Power Writes students write in every subject area, every day--providing extensive writing experiences that increase writing volume, utilize content-specific vocabulary, and solidify academic understanding. Partners write letters in math, create lists of animal characteristics after read aloud, or develop Public Service Announcements in health. What an exciting way to accelerate content-area learning! When learners write, they wonder. They think more deeply and comprehend content more effectively.

Penny Kittle

Chori Room (M114)

Coaching Teachers, Increasing Skills: Writing in Science and Social Studies (Coaches, teacher leaders, administrators Gr 5-12)

In a world of increasing literacy demands we are all writing more than ever. We need to lead students to write, reread, and revise their words and deepen their thinking as a daily practice in all content areas. We will write beside information. practicing the teacher's model of thinking & demonstration in reading and writing that is our most powerful teaching tool. We'll examine student notebooks where writers collect thinking, collaborate on writing, and reread to find the heart of their writing. Coaching teachers to use daily practice in writing and in revision will increase understanding in the content, while providing teachers with practical tools to increase proficiency in writing.

Dr. Sheryl Stump

Little Tiger Central (G124)

Developing Mathematical Fluency in Basic Facts Grades K-3

In this session, we'll examine a developmental progression and explore tasks, representations, and language designed to help children master the basic facts in addition, subtraction and multiplication.

Ruth Ayres

Auditorium (PAC)

Ship-Shape Conference Notes: 3 Things To Do This Summer  (K-8)

Conference notes can be difficult to keep and use. Strong conference notes are key data for driving instructional choices, but unless they are “ship-shape” it is difficult to use them. Learn 3 things to do this summer to be in position to keep valuable conference notes next school year and be prepared to use data from your conference notes to make instructional decisions.

Rebekah O’Dell and Allison Marchetti

Band Room (M106)

Mentors for Going Public Gr 6-12

Just like real writers need an audience to write for, student writers are motivated and excited to write for authentic audiences, too. Mentor texts help students polish and revise pieces of writing, prepare them for publication, and send them off into the world. In this session, participants will receive ideas for publication and use mentor texts to get writers ready for publication.

Terry Thompson

Tiger Central (G126)

What a More Knowing Other Knows: Clarifying Our Role in the Scaffolding Process K-6

As we work with young readers and writers, we wear various hats and tend to multiple needs all at once – and this can often distract us from what’s most important. In this session, we’ll explore several essential insights that keep our work grounded in learning and our time with students effective and empowering. Together, will focus on what we know to be true about our role in the instructional process and how being intentional about our work and reflective about its effects supports students as we scaffold them toward independence.

Mary Helen Gensch

Lecture Room (G152)

Writing Minilessons from Books You Love Gr K-6

Books hold goldmines for mini-lessons. Each of you have a library full of books bursting with skills and craft to be found. During this session, Mary Helen will guide you through steps to find writing mini-lessons in the books you love. Organization tips included.

Dekalb Central Schools-Julia Tipton Curriculum and Instruction

Elementary; Instructional Coaches: De Richardson, Michelle Wagner, Christy Tingley, Sherry Crisp-Ridge; Middle School  Rebecca Knott; Technology Coaches Kelly Hudson,  Amy Neal

Choir Room (M114)

Catching Student Learning Through Effective Coaching K-12

This session will help administrators, teachers and coaches learn more about the differentiated way we meet the needs of our teachers and administrators at DeKalb Central. Because of our fundamental belief in coaching and professional learning, we have created a structure in which coaching is valued by our teachers, administrators, and especially with our students. Through our student centered coaching model, we put student learning first and our coaches, teachers and administrators work collaboratively to ensure student growth. Professional learning is created around 4 pathways: New Tech, Leader in Me, International Baccalaureate and the Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University as well as a workshop approach to instruction. Our coaches work collaboratively with external pathway coaches and our district technology coaches to ensure that new learning with teachers is supported and innovative for preschoolers through graduation. We value student learning at all levels, and support coaching with math and special education as well. We are striving to provide not only choice to our stakeholders, but to ensure highly effective instruction for our students. This work is supported by our coaching model. Come and sit in small group with all of our coaches to learn more about our structure and their intentional and focused work to ensure quality instruction.

Lori Hochstetler

Little Tiger Central (G124)

 Real World Math Problems Gr K-6

Real World problem solving is prevalent in the Indiana Math Standards.  Where do we find these problems and how do we incorporate them in our math lessons?  How can we bring situations from our lives into the math classroom?  How can we bring other cultures into our math classroom?  Find answers to these questions and more as you hear how this presenter created math problems from her experiences on a trip to India.  Take away real-world problems from several resources that you can use with your students.

Steve Leinwand

Auditorium (PAC)

 Making Math Far More Accessible to our Students K-12  

This fast-paced, example-laden session will model and justify an easily adaptable set of research-affirmed strategies to making our instruction for more effective. We'll look at on-going cumulative review, graphical representations, language-rich classrooms and context as powerful approaches to up our game.

Kristi Mraz and Marjorie Martinelli

Band Room (M106)

Charts as Pathways of Thinking Gr K-5

Charts are an instructional tool in every classroom, yet their power is often under utilized. Teachers in this session will learn the science behind these powerful tools for independence and learning, as well as how these tools can be used to help children set goals, reflect on their learning, and become more independent in all areas. Videos, photographs, and demonstrations will support teachers as they learn how to make charts that serve as bulletin boards for their teaching, as well as the most powerful ways to use them in lessons, small groups, and conferences. And most importantly, as tools for thinking.

Jeff Anderson

Tiger Central (G126)

Revision Decisions gr 5-12

How do young writers decide what to revise? How do we shepherd them through this process of discovering, thinking, risking, and changing? We give them a vision of what is possible with mentor texts, then use these readings to move their writing forward, one option at a time. Grammar and style are rich ground for teaching revision. Merging craft and mechanics helps students craft sentences while learning voice, detail, and sentence fluency.

Patrick Allen

Lecture Room (G152)

Reader’s Workshop: Exploring Rituals and Routines Grades 2-6

The rituals and routines we put into place in our classrooms help support students as burgeoning readers. This session will focus on the constructs we develop to support readers in an environment that encourages engagement, invites choice, and supports individual growth. Participants will have the opportunity to explore and discuss specific ways to make reader’s workshop both productive and successful.

Jim Burke

Choir Room (M114)

Teaching Writing by Design: Grades 6-12.

Participants in this session will learn about key design principles for effective writing instruction and how they can incorporate those into their writing assignments in a range of contexts and types of writing assignments.

Mark Overmeyer

Little Tiger Central (G124)

Scaffolding Instruction for All Learners in the Writing Workshop (K-2)

This interactive session will focus on methods for scaffolding writing instruction for our youngest writers. We will focus on methods for developing independence, creating a joyful place for writing, and ensuring that our instruction is developmentally appropriate.

Steve Leinwand

Auditorium (PAC)

Shifting Our Focus from Remembering How to Understanding Why Gr 3-10

This session will compare and contrast the traditional approach of remembering rules and procedures with the more impactful approach of understanding why. We'll look closely at multiple representations and alternative approaches to make mathematics a far more sense-making endeavor.

Kristi Mraz

Band Room (M106)n

A Mindset For Learning: Developing the Traits of Joyful Independent Growth Gr K-5

In this session, teachers will learn how they can leverage the powerful instructional strategies of storytelling, self talk, reflection, and goal setting to teach students to have positive, powerful mindsets. Teachers will learn the research that supports teaching stances like flexibility, empathy, optimism, resilience and persistence. Teachers will learn how structures like conferring and whole class conversations can be used to teach create classroom communities of joyful effort, while still meeting benchmarks along the way. Classroom charts and lessons will be shared alongside tools to ensure teachers can keep this powerful work going all year long.

Linda Urban

Tiger Central(G126)

Let’s Write Gr K-12

Linda Urban leads you in a Lynda Barry-inspired writing exercise you can use in your own classroom.  

Patrick Allen

Lecture Room (G152)

Strengthening Conferring with Readers and Writers Grades 1-3

We will discuss the role conferring plays in the reader's workshop and how authentic conferring leads to independence. Conferring is one of the most important instructional practices we can develop in "coming to know" readers. Specific structures and outcomes of conferring will be addressed. We will explore effective reading conferences and how they fit into our daily work with readers.

Jim Burke

Choir Room (M114)

Designing Writing Assignments: Grades 6-12

Participants in this workshop will analyze their own writing assignments using aspects of document and instructional design to improve the clarity and effectiveness of their assignments. This session complements key ideas from the “Teaching Writing by Design” workshop but participants do not have to attend that previous workshop.

Mark Overmeyer

Little Tiger Central (G124)

Scaffolding Instruction for All Learners in the Writing Workshop (Grades 3 and up)

This interactive session will focus on methods for scaffolding instruction for students in Grades 3 and up. We will focus on workshop structures that encourage independence, the language of instruction, and supporting all writers. Specific strategies for working with resistant writers, language learners, and advanced writers will be included.

Steve Leinwand

Auditorium (PAC)

Some Ideas for Building our 2016-17 Math Teaching To-do List K-12

This session will summarize what I've learned from over 1000 K-12 mathematics classroom observations over that past five years as the basis of proposing a range of shifts to consider for strengthening the teaching and learning of mathematics.

Kristi Mraz

Band Room (M106)

Powerful Play: A Teacher's Guide to Igniting Deep and Joyful Learning Across the Day Gr K-3

Too often play is set in direct opposition to work, when in reality, play is the engine of learning for children. This session will help teachers reclaim a playful and joyful spirit by teaching the myriad of ways play can be used to facilitate social emotional and academic growth. This session will outline the ways play can be infused within a day, as well as the instructional strategies teachers can utilize to support children's learning. Teachers will learn how strategies like focused lessons, conferring, small group play, and whole class conversations can build literacy skills, STEM skills, and critical social emotional skills. Charts and tools will be shared alongside lessons that can be used in classrooms. Teachers will see demonstrations and photographs of how a playful spirit can extend to any teaching by utilizing student interests, props, videos, and joy.

Jeff Anderson

Tiger Central (G126)

Revision Decisions gr 5-12

How do young writers decide what to revise? How do we shepherd them through this process of discovering, thinking, risking, and changing? We give them a vision of what is possible with mentor texts, then use these readings to move their writing forward, one option at a time. Grammar and style are rich ground for teaching revision. Merging craft and mechanics helps students craft sentences while learning voice, detail, and sentence fluency.

JoEllen McCarthy

Lecture Room (G152)

“Gladitude” and the Common CARE Standards: K-6

Ward said, "Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." Together we will explore a mindset of "gladitude"- leading and learning with love and energy that impacts joyful, learning communities. Through a lens of celebrations that value strengths, collaboration and growth, we build energy around our teaching and learning. Together we will "visit" classrooms, explore literacy snapshots, ideas and tools to help celebrate a community and culture of learning with gladitude. Participants will also receive a list of mentor authors and must-have titles!

Jim Burke

Choir Room (M114)

Focusing on Research: 6-12

Participants will learn about the Expert Project and other examples of research assignments of various sizes that satisfy a range of college and career readiness standards.

Mark Overmeyer

Little Tiger Central (G124)

Peer Conferences in the Writing Workshop Gr 2 -12

Peer conferring is a powerful tool in a writing workshop. This session focuses on setting up structures so that students can support one another in meaningful ways.

Mark Overmeyer

Band Room (M106)

Conference Tips for Writing Workshop Gr K-12

This session will feature practical tips for managing conferences in a writing workshop. We will focus on the language of a conference, time management strategies, and record keeping tips.

Christy Rush-Levine

Tiger Central (G126)

Springboards and Mentor Texts Gr 5-12

Just the right springboard or mentor text can make all the difference.  In this session, gather text, lesson, and assessment ideas to inspire strong, joyful writing in middle school and beyond.

Beth Beer, Kay Kelley, Kari Ruse, Deaneen Pashea, Elisa Schackow, Roxanne Bachman, Brenda Windischmin

Lecture Room (G152))

Ignite Talk: Tools of the Trade

Beth Beer- will share using TCRWP Units of Study in Writing as a guide and then following with choice writing

Kay Kelley- will share the journey of her first and second grade teachers’ implementation of the Lucy Calkins’ Units of Study for Teaching Reading.  She will share highlights of one lesson from first grade, and the celebration of a second grade unit in non-fiction called, The Book Museum.

Kari Ruse, Deaneen Pashea- Spark student engagement with MakerSpaces! Get ideas for kicking off the year, housing the materials, and connecting to curriculum.

Elisa Schakow, Roxanne Bachman, Brenda Windischim- Each of us will be sharing how we use the Fountas and Pinnell Leveling Kits in our individual schools and how we use those levels in our Reading Intervention classrooms that match with the Fountas and Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention kits.

Julianne Houser, Barbara Boggs

Choir Room (M114)

Three C’s: Creating Classroom Culture

In order to close the achievement gap we must first close the attitude gap.  In order to close the attitude gap we need to build student relationships. Join us for activities you can use day 1 of the new school year!

Liz Kinsey, Deb Evans

Little Tiger Central (G124)

Ignite Talk: Book Clubs for Everyone

Teachers share the way books are buzzing among staff and students. Hear the stories and the strategies for formal and informal book clubs for both adults and kids in a building. Come share your experiences too!

Jeff Anderson

Auditorium (PAC)

Capturing Readers with Humor: Inspiring Reading and Writing gr 3-10

Humor is often how we make sense of ourselves. Humor heals and humanizes, entertains and enlightens. Jeff Anderson, author of the humorous Zack Delacruz series, will have you writing, laughing, and discovering how to use humor to hook reluctant readers, connect them to books as entertainment, and inspire writing beyond what we ever imagined.

Kristi Mraz, Marjorie Martinelli

Band Room (M106)

Beyond the Literacy Chart: Extending Charts Throughout the Day Gr K-5

In this session, the presenters will open up a dialogue in which teachers are asked to think beyond the chart as a traditional staple of the elementary classroom, to imagine charts and tools in new ways and for new usages. Photos and examples will illustrate how valuable charting can be to subjects such as math, social studies, science, art, and even P. E. Learn how charts can be more than a cute poster; how they can act as powerful tools that enhance the teacher’s instruction while extending children’s understanding of the content being taught. Teachers will leave inspired to rethink and redesign each and every corner of their classroom to have the biggest impact on teaching and learning for all involved.

Steve Leinwand

Tiger Central (G126)

Turning to What's Available, Free and Awesome on the Internet to Significantly Raise Student Engagement in Mathematics 4-10

More and more of our colleagues are sending the textbooks home on day 1 for use for homework and turning instead to the internet for tasks, problems and great three-act lessons for guiding our instruction. We'll look as some of the best sources available.

Patrick Allen

Lecture Room (G152)

Strengthening Conferring with Readers and Writers Grades 4-6

We will discuss the role conferring plays in the reader's workshop and how authentic conferring leads to independence. Conferring is one of the most important instructional practices we can develop in "coming to know" readers. Specific structures and outcomes of conferring will be addressed. We will explore effective reading conferences and how they fit into our daily work with readers.

Jim Burke

Choir Room (M114)

Talking About Writing: A Conversation Gr 6-12

This session will feature an open discussion of writing and how it is evolving in light of trends and technology and the implications of these for teaching writing in the middle and high school classroom. My work in recent years with districts around the country, the College Board, and W. W. Norton on They Say/ I Say and my forthcoming book Uncharted Territory: A High School Reader has led to many insights I am eager to discuss with participants.

Mary Helen Gensch

Little Tiger Central (G124)

Writing Mini-Lessons from Books You Love Gr K-6 (Repeat session from 6/23)

ooks hold the goldmines of mini-lessons. Each of you have a library full of books bursting with skills and craft to be found. During this session, Mary Helen will guide you through steps to find writing mini-lessons in the books you love. Organization tips included.

FINDING JOY IN THE JOURNEY

Auditorium (PAC)

Kristi Mraz, Kindergarten Teacher, NYC Public Schools

Patrick Allen, Grade 4 Teacher, Parker, Colorado

Jim Burke, English Teacher, Burlingame High School, California

Joy Goshert, Director of Curriculum, Wawasee Schools

Jeff Anderson, Author, San Antonio, Texas

As a farewell, five educators with diverse backgrounds will answer the question, “How do you find JOY in your journey as an educator? You will leave inspired and ignited!