Inaugural Project LIT Summit

We are thrilled to announce that our inaugural Project LIT Summit will take place at Maplewood High School (Nashville, TN) on June 16, 2018! We will begin officially at 8:30 and conclude by 4:30 with time allotted before and after for networking!

Over the past year, more than 300 schools from 40 states have launched Project LIT chapters and joined our grassroots literacy movement! Project LIT students and teachers work together to increase access to diverse books and promote a love of reading in our schools and communities.

While much of our collaboration takes place on social media (be sure to check out #ProjectLITchat), we’re organizing our first summit to provide 200 attendees (exclusively Project LIT teachers and students) with a chance to connect and celebrate one another in person!

The free, full-day conference will include book clubs, breakout sessions, panels, and inspirational messages, as well purposeful networking and planning time. Oh yeah, did we mention that we will also be joined by several best-selling authors, including Kwame Alexander, Tiffany Jackson, Nic Stone, and Jeff Zentner?!

We’re excited for our current Project LIT leaders to share their stories and expertise and for aspiring chapters to gain the tools and resources to launch successfully in 2018-19! By the end of the day, we’re confident that all attendees will leave with an even greater sense of purpose and desire to improve literacy access, attitudes and outcomes in their school and community!

HOW CAN I HELP?

The plan is to make this is a FREE event for all Project LIT teachers and students! At this time, we are looking for sponsors along with individuals who’d be willing to make in-kind donations. Please contact projectlitcommunity@gmail.com if you are interested in supporting our summit!

CURRENT SPONSORS include Penguin Random House, Parnassus Bookstore, Book Source, the Nashville Chamber, Preds Foundation, and Perma Bound Books.

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THE SUMMIT?

1. Follow us on Twitter (@projectlitcomm) and participate in our #ProjectLITchat to get a better sense of what we’re all about.

2. Complete our Project LIT chapter leader application here.

3. Once accepted, you will gain access to all Project LIT Community resources, checklists, and materials that will help you and your students launch a Project LIT chapter.

4. From there, you will continue to connect with fellow site leaders and receive weekly updates from us, including the link to RSVP for our summit!

PRE-ORDER FROM PARNASSUS!

Attendees can now pre-order books from Parnassus to participate in the Summit author signings! A percentage of each sale will support Project LIT Community!

WELCOME to the inaugural

Project LIT Summit

June 16, 2018

Maplewood HS (Nashville, TN)

 

AGENDA

7:00-8:30 – Breakfast & Registration (don’t forget to sign the Project LIT board!)

8:00-8:30 – Kwame Alexander Book Signing

8:30-9:00 – Student Welcome followed by Kickoff from Kwame Alexander

9:00-10:15 – The Ultimate Project LIT Book Club (get ready to compete!)

10:15-10:30 – Snack Break

10:30-11:30 – Author Panel featuring Tiffany Jackson, Nic Stone, and Jeff Zentner

11:30-1:00 – Lunch & Book Signing (Tiffany Jackson 11:30-12; Nic Stone 12-12:30; Jeff Zentner 12:30-1)

1:00-1:30 – Author Session (Q & A with one of your favorite authors)

1:40-2:25 – Breakout Session #1

2:35-3:20 – Breakout Session #2

3:30-4:15 – Breakout Session #3

4:15-4:30 – Closing Reflection & Remarks

REMINDERS – Be sure to stop by the “green room” to record your Project LIT video! And don’t forget to tag @projectLITcomm & use the #ProjectLITSummit18 hashtag throughout the day!

#PROJECTLITSUMMIT18

WHAT IS PROJECT LIT COMMUNITY?

Project LIT Community is a national, grassroots LITeracy movement, a growing network of dedicated teachers and students who work together to increase access to diverse books & spread a love of reading in our schools and communities.

Each Project LIT chapter is led by a passionate educator, or team of educators, who:

  • Empower students to plan and execute Project LIT Book Clubs that bring their community together for important, necessary conversations.
  • Engage students in meaningful project-based and service learning that addresses literacy needs in their community.
  • Champion and celebrate reading daily.
  • Inspire and support one another, whether it’s to share book recommendations, literacy strategies, teaching/book club resources, or words of encouragement.

Project LIT Community equips and empowers teachers and students to:

  • Increase access to high-quality, diverse books inside & outside of the classroom
  • Promote love of a reading in our schools and communities
  • Bring people together for important, necessary conversations
  • Share literacy practices and strategies
  • Become literacy leaders and change agents

PROJECT LIT COMMUNITY IN THE PRESS

Best-Selling Author Jason Reynolds, Parnassus Books and Project LIT promote reading at Lipscomb University: https://www.lipscomb.edu/news/archive/detail/227/32578

Project LIT: How a Nashville educator turned a class project into a nationwide movement: https://www.educationdive.com/news/project-lit-how-a-nashville-educator-turned-a-class-project-into-a-nationw/518766/

Seeding Book Deserts with Diverse Books: https://blog.firstbook.org/2017/08/10/book-deserts-with-diverse-books/

'Project Lit' takes aim at Nashville's book deserts: http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/education/2017/03/12/project-lit-takes-aim-nashvilles-book-deserts/98688978/

There’s a (Project)LIT Movement Spreading Like Wildfire and I’m Here For It: https://volumeandlightnashville.org/2017/09/08/theres-a-projectlit-movement-spreading-like-wildfire-and-im-here-for-it/

Reading Is LIT: How a Classroom Project Can Impact an Entire Community: http://www.hbook.com/2017/07/blogs/lollys-classroom/reading-is-lit-how-a-classroom-project-can-impact-an-entire-community/

Mr. Amato & Project LIT Community honored by Penguin Random House: http://foundation.penguinrandomhouse.com/learn-more/teacherawards/

WHERE TO STAY IN NASHVILLE?

Here are a few options to help you begin your search. Please reach out to Nashville chapter leaders for more info and recommendations.

Where to Explore in Nashville

We are so excited to see you on June 16th at the ProjectLITSummit in Music City. We are gearing up for the amazing energy that is about to arrive in Nashville.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of some neighborhoods we recommend for those visiting Nashville from out of state. We hope you enjoy your time here in the Athens of the South.

 

Downtown

Visit the Nashville Public Library (Main Branch) and check out the Civil Rights Room or walk up to the Grand Reading Room. Also, visit the Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry.

East Nashville

Exploring 5 Points is a great way to see some beautiful East Nashville houses while enjoying an iced coffee (Bongo Java) or pizza (5 Points Pizza).

12 South

This neighborhood is chock full of food options (Bartaco, Edley’s BBQ, Las Paletas) and shopping (White’s Mercantile). You can also take your photo next to one of the popular “I Believe in Nashville” murals.

Germantown

Just north of downtown, enjoy just wandering along Germantown’s red brick sidewalks. There are multiple coffee shops (Barista Parlor, Red Bicycle) and dining options (Monell’s, City House).

Hillsboro Village

Hillsboro Village is home to the Belcourt, Nashville’s independent movie theatre. You can also enjoy coffee (Fido) and ice cream (Jeni’s). A short distance away is Peabody College’s beautiful lawn.

Opry Mills

Across the Cumberland River, Opry Mills is an outlet shopping center with a movie theatre and multiple dining options. The mall shares parking with the Grand Ole Opry. Gaylord Opryland Hotel is also on the same grounds.