Breakout Sessions

2009 CHILDREN'S CONFERENCE BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Session 2: (10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.)

Name: Barnes and Noble

Session Title: "What's New in Children's Literature for 2009?"

Session Content: It's like Christmas everyday when we open up the boxes in receiving and see the brand new books, particularly the picture books with their wonderful illustrations. We would like to share some of our favorite picture books and most notable young adult literature that have come to our attention this year.

Audience: Librarians / Educators

Name: Marcy Canterna

Session Title: "Going Beyond the Tests: Projects and Activities to Encourage Reading"

Session Content: Since the introduction of NCLB, we have lost the opportunity to spend class time enjoying reading and creating projects that foster a love of reading. Projects and activities do not have to exclude the “standards.” The skills involved in projects help students develop the ability to interpret a story, analyze the data, predict outcomes, incorporate the information into a visual, verbal, or demonstrative form, and synthesize the contents and activities in order to share the knowledge with classmates. These activities can further enhance the enjoyment of reading, while not subtracting from the requirements for test preparation.

Audience: Educators (especially elementary)

Name: Marietta Frank & Donna Armstrong

Session Title: "Math Magic: Turning Concepts Into Stories"

Session Content: "Tell me I forget, show me I remember, let me do and I understand.” Math concepts can be among the most difficult for some students to grasp. There are many children’s books to support the learning of these concepts, but what could be better than having students create their own books? This session will highlight the collaborative journey of connecting children’s literature, writing, art, and math for three groups of children.

Audience: Educators

Name: Sandra Reidmiller

Session Title: "Themes to Get Students/Faculty into Your Library"

Session Content: Ideas and activities to encourage students and faculty to visit and use the library.

Audience: Librarians / Educators

Name: Mary Beth Spore

Session Title: "Responsibility and Reconciliation in the Face of Trouble, a Young-Adult Novel by Gary D. Schmidt"

Session Content: This session will introduce some of the issues present in Gary D. Schmidt’s latest novel for young adults, Trouble. In particular, the portrayal of responsibility and reconciliation that necessitates growth and maturity will be examined. This session will rely a great deal on discussion and participation; thus, all are encouraged to read the book Trouble in advance of the conference. A paper will be distributed.

Audience: Educators

Session 3: (12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m.)

Name: Susan Fello & Brandi Lux

Session Title: "Improving Literacy Skills with Primary Readers"

Session Content: Participants will enhance their literacy teaching skills for emergent readers and writers. Children’s literature selections will provide the basis for activities to foster phonemic awareness, word identification, and oral fluency. Big books, poetry selections, and kid writing ideas will also be incorporated.

Audience: Educators

Name: Yetti Frenkel

Session Title: "Cinquain and Haiku Poetry and Art Projects for Children"

Session Content: Poetry and art naturally compliment each other. Children are often intimidated by the idea of writing poems, so these projects are designed to take simple poetry forms such as the Cinquain and Haiku and combine them with creative projects that will allow children to create images with words as well as pictures. Handouts are included with the presentation, so that educators can apply these projects in their classrooms.

Audience: Educators

Name: Jeff Kuntz

Session Title: “Project Earth: Teaching Key Environmental Concepts Using Picture Books”

Session Content: This session will give participants a peek at a number of great resources available to use as springboards to teaching key concepts of environmental education. Picture books combined with one or more hands-on activities will be demonstrated to help teachers help students grasp the importance of “going green.” An extensive teacher resource packet will be provided.

Audience: Educators

Name: Tess Reismeyer

Session Title: "Hot Off the Presses: Selecting Books that Engage Children"

Session Content: This workshop features ways to select the best books to engage children and encourage language development. You will have the opportunity to explore some of the newest and best books available for young children.

Audience: Educators / Librarians

Name: WPA SCBWI (Pat Easton)

Session Title: "Introducing WPA SCBWI Class of 2008-2009"

Session Content: Western PA is rich in local authors and illustrators. This session will introduce their books published in 2008-2009 and give tips on how to use them in the classroom.

Audience: Educators / Librarians / Writers