Azalea A

Meeting for First Time Conferees

Facilitator: Ann Carneal Murphy, Barry University

Summary: Learn helpful hints for getting the most from the conference sessions.

EXHIBITS OPEN

 8:00 – 5:00 p.m.

FRA Featured Author

Azalea A/B

K-2

Faction:  Combining Fiction and Nonfiction

Speaker: Marianne Berkes, author of Marsh Morning, 2004-2005 FRA Children’s Book Award Nomination

Chair:     Sharon Searcy, FRA Board

Summary: Marianne Berkes’ picture books educate as well as entertain.  Each of her books begins with a fictional story and ends with facts.  Learn how she gets her ideas and what research is involved in creating this interesting genre.

Other books include:  Marsh Music, Seashells by the Seashore, and Over the Ocean, in a Coral Reef

Sponsored by Florida Reading Association

FRA Featured Author

Cedar/Marathon

Picture Books as a Springboard to Literacy Activities

Speaker: Steven L. Layne, author of Thomas’s Sheep and the Great Geography Test, The Teachers’ Night Before Christmas, and My Brother Dan’s Delicious

Chair:     Rayann Mitchell, FRA Board

Summary: Picture books are a valuable resource for scaffolding literacy activities at any grade level, and Steven L. Layne will show you how to make it happen!  Come prepared for a lively and engaging session full of practical ideas which use picture books as a vehicle for expanding students’ reading and writing experiences.         

Other books include:  This Side of Paradise, Verses for Dad’s Heart, The Principal’s Night Before Christmas, Thomas’s Sheep and the Spectacular Science Project, and Life’s Literacy Lessons:  Poems for Teachers

Sponsored by Florida Reading Association

Featured Speaker

Oleander A

K-12

Visual Literacy:  Learning to Read and Comprehend the Visual Images that Accompany Nonfiction Text

Speaker:       Donna L. Knoell, Educational Consultant/Author

Chair:            Margaret Janz, FRA Past President           

Summary:  Dr. Knoell presents strategies to help students read, interpret, and comprehend visuals that accompany nonfiction text.  She emphasizes reading photographs, graphs, charts, maps, and diagrams.  Learn new skills and resources to help your students succeed in the content areas—and pass FCAT.

Sponsored by Florida Reading Association

Featured Speaker

Oleander B

K-12

Tools to Hold Thinking:  Helping Readers Remember and Reuse What They Read

Speaker: Cris Tovani

Chair: Betty Wray Boyce, FRA Board

Summary: Examine several tools that students in all content areas can use to retrieve and remember thinking that occurred while reading and use that thinking in discussions, writing assignments, or projects.

Venice

Teachers

Writing for National Board Certification

Speaker: Sharon Hogan, Egypt Lake Elementary School, Hillsborough County

Chair: Diane Mahar

Summary: Receive hands-on practice and tips for the three styles of writing required in National Board entries presented by a National Board Certified Teacher.  

Madeira

ESE, ESOL

“Wordtoons:” Graphic Cues to Vocabulary Building

Speakers: Bess A. Weber and Shannon M. Cochran, Kingsford Elementary School and Sandhill Elementary School, Polk County

Chair: Ginger Butto

Summary: Discover how to use keyword cartoons as mnemonic devices to increase vocabulary acquisition. 

Clearwater

1-5

Summer Reading—Exploring the Reading Habits of Elementary-aged Students

Speaker: Courtney C. Zmach, Doctoral Fellow, University of Florida

Chair: Kathy Good

Summary: Explore an evaluation of students’ summer reading habits and access to books when their school’s library remained open during the summer.

Siesta/Biscayne

K-3

Secret Stories—Cracking the Reading Code!

Speaker: Katherine E. Garner, Author, The Secret Stories

Chair: Jami Covert

Summary: Participate in a brain-based, multi-sensory adventure to crack the secret reading codes that lie beyond the alphabet.

Longboat

K-3

Multiple Methods For Teaching Early Literacy K-3

Speaker: Valerie J. Stofac, Consultant, Primary Concepts

Chair: Diane Mirro

Summary: Share hands-on lessons for teaching phonemic awareness and phonics.

Largo

5-12

For the Love of a Poem

Speaker: Leslie Eloise Somers, Educational Specialist, Miami- Dade County Public Schools

Chair: Pam Donehew

Summary: Learn a variety of interactive strategies/activities to motivate and excite learners as they experience a medley of love poems.

 Featured Author

10:45 – 11:45

 Azalea A/B

K-12

KaChunk!  An Intuitive Approach to Math

Speaker: Greg Tang, author of Math Appeal and The Grapes of Math

Chair:   Jennifer Flynn    

Summary:  Join author Greg Tang in exploring a common sense approach to math that develops number sense and computational and problem-solving skills.  Math can be enjoyable when it just makes sense!

Other books include:  Math Fables, Math-terpieces, Math for All Seasons, and The Best of Times

Sponsored by Florida Reading Association 

Featured Speaker

10:45 – 11:45

 Oleander B

K-12

Research Based Vocabulary Instruction:  5 Things Every Teacher Should Know:  5 Things Every Teacher Can Do

Speaker:       Camille L. Z. Blachowicz, author of Teaching Vocabulary in All Classrooms and Reading Comprehension:  Strategies for Independent Learners

Chair: Lela-Ann Carroll, FRA Board

Summary:  Dr. Blachowecz presents relevant research on vocabulary and shares classroom strategies including “Vocabulary Visits—Virtual ‘Field Trips’ for First Grade Vocabulary Development.”

Sponsored by Pearson Scott Foresman

Venice

6-12

Using Recorded Books to Increase Reading Skills and Interest

Speaker: Lillian C. Weisberg, Dr. Michael Krop Senior High School, Miami-Dade County

Chair: Robin Grimsley

Summary: See how students develop better reading skills, interest and motivation for reading by listening to recorded books as they follow along in the text.

Madeira

K-12

Establishing the Most Beneficial Learning Environment for the Struggling Reader Through Poetry

Speaker: Darlene Y. Smith, Brownsville Middle School, Miami-Dade County

Chair: Linda Bracken

Summary: Learn creative ways to teach content area material while helping students connect with historical events and participate on an emotional level as they study historical facts and explanations.

Clearwater

6-8

Teaching With Tradebooks:  Terrific Tools for Middle School Teachers

Speakers: Zandra H. Stino and Audrey Henry, Nova Southeastern University

Chair: Sharon Swallwood

Summary: Become involved in hands-on activities and reading/writing strategies that will appeal to middle school students as they use tradebooks in their content areas.

Siesta/Biscayne

PreK-2

Sing & Move at the Alphabet Zoo

Speaker: Jack L. Hartmann, Hop2It Music

Chair: Candy Lee

Summary: Join this upbeat workshop and get creative music and movement activities to enhance and energize your PreK-2 reading program.

Longboat

K-2

Lassoing Florida’s Children’s Book Award

Speaker: Debra K. Wellman, Rollins College, Sharon Search, Duval County, FRA Children’s Book Award Co-Chairs

Chair: Ellen Mora

Summary: Giddy-up and head over to this session to find out how your school can participate in choosing next year’s award winners and provide book extension activities.  

Marathon

4-8

Getting Students into Nonfiction

Speaker: Rick DuVall, University of Central Florida                      

Chair: Diane Reese

Summary: Get students excited about reading nonfictional texts, as well as get them prepared to understand the content embedded in the texts, through informational reading                                          strategies. 

Largo

PreK-12

Rounding Up Best Practices for Differentiating Instruction Using Brain Research and the      Multiple Intelligences

Speaker: Andrea F. Rosenblatt, Barry University

Chair: Susan Johnson

Summary: Discover research and hands-on, brain-compatible strategies for differentiating instruction with all learners.

Oleander A

PreK-3

Teaching Science and Math with Children’s Literature

Speakers: Alden Moe and Elayne Moe, Rollins College

Chair: Pam LaRiviere

Summary: Acquire a variety of innovative and engaging ways to use picture books to teach  science and math concepts.

Book & Author Luncheon

12:00 – 1:30

Jasmine/Magnolia

Presiding: Mary Ann Clark, FRA Vice President

Inspirational Message:  Sylvia Warner, FRA Board

Children’s Book Award:  Sharon Searcy, FRA Board

Legislative Award:  Marianne McKinney, FRA Board

Recipient:  Lt. Governer Toni Jennings

Introduction of Author:  Debra Wellman, FRA Board

Author:  Denise Fleming

Topic:  Prose, Pictures, Rhythm, and Rhyme

A catchy phrase, a scrap of conversation, doodles on an envelope—all can prompt an idea for a picture book.  Discover how a book idea grows and how shape, color, and design help tell the tale.

Books include:  Lunch; The Everything Book; Buster; Count; Alphabet Under Construction; Where Once There Was a Wood; Pumpkin Eye; In the Small, Small Pond; and Mama Cat Has Three Kittens

Sponsored by Florida Reading Association

Ormond

6-12

Creating a Literacy and Academic Content Achievement Plan for Departmentalized Middle        and High Schools

Speaker: Harry Stein, Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District, Franklin Lakes,                    New Jersey                           

Chair: Diane Mahar        

Summary: Examine how departmentalized schools can achieve academic, content success and  prepare students for SAT-I/ACT college and state literacy examinations.

Paradise

K-3

Phonics in a Balanced Literacy Classroom

Speakers: Rebecca Boswell and Cindy Dowdy, Hugo Schmidt and  Richard Cimino  Elementary Schools, Hillsborough County    

Chair: Ginger Butto

Summary: Learn how to assess phonemic awareness and phonics and provide explicit  phonological awareness, phonics, and word study instruction based on research.

Cocoa

3-8

Kick it Up a Notch: Transforming Fake Readers into Engaged Readers by Retooling the SSR Block

Speakers: Nicki Clausen-Grace and Michelle Kelley, Carillon Elementary School and the University of Central Florida

Chair: Kathy Good

Summary: Participate in a structured version of SSR that includes reading, reflection, and discussion, and learn how to develop a culture of eager, actively engaged readers.

Four Square Writing

Speaker: Judith S. Gould, Author, Staff Development for Educators         

Chair: Kathy Good

Summary: Help students organize their writing using a simple organizer that is easily  adaptable for varied learning styles and content area writing.

Coquina

K-3

Developing Independent Readers and Writers Using Text Models and Manipulatives

Speaker: Linda J. Rourke, ETA/Cuisenaire     

Chair: Jami Covert

Summary: Learn practical strategies for using big books, leveled texts, and manipulatives to  discover how text structures and knowledge of the flexibility of English aid  reading and writing.

Longboat

3-8

Words, Words, Words…The Wonderful World of Words

Speakers:   Cyndy Hetrick, Barb Wilt, Mary Lou Broomhall, Penny Jadwin, and Connie    Schaffer, Orange County Public Schools                        

Chair:  Lela-Ann Carroll

Summary: Learn effective instructional strategies to increase students’ use and understanding   of words.

Oleander A

K-8

The Bag Ladies “Round Up” an ALL New Make-n-Take Workshop

Speakers:  Karen Simmons and Cindy Guinn, School District of Palm Beach County, co-    owners of The Bag Ladies Inc.                         

Chair:  Gail Hannas

Summary:  “Anytime is Summertime” as the Bag Ladies round up a wrapsack full of make-n- takes to motivate students’ reading skills, and that’s no nonfiction!

Oleander A

K-3

Lasso the Creative Spirit -- Tried and True Learning Connections

Speaker: Mary Doerfler Dall, author, Mauphin House Publishing

Chair: Kathy Good

Summary: Stimulate language and math skills with fast and friendly hands-on connections incorporating easy craft ideas and activities that are applicable to all areas of the curriculum.

Featured Author

1:00 – 2:00

 Cedar/Marathon

K-12

Yer My Favorite Arthur—A Writer’s Reward

Speaker:       Bruce Hale, author of the Chet Gecko Series

Chair:            Nancy Laszlo       

Summary:  From reluctant reader to popular author, Bruce Hale has traveled along the reading road.  Check out his kid-tested presentation that gets students fired up about writing and reading.

Books include:  The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse, The Big Nap, The Malted Falcon, Give My Regrets to Broadway, and Murder, My Tweet and picture books Moki and the Magic Surfboard and Surf Gecko to the Rescue!

Sponsored by Florida Reading Association

Featured Author

1:00 – 2:00

 Azalea B

K-8

What Trade Books are Available to Hook Kids on Reading:  Historical Fiction Based on Fact and Good Nonfiction

Speaker:       Carol Crane

Chair:            Kelly Holter, FRA Board             

Summary:     Hook readers with good books—and then teach them.

Books include::  S is for Sunshine:  A Florida Alphabet, L is for Last Frontier:  An Alaska Alphabet, L is for Lone Star: A Texas Alphabet, and Sunny Numbers: A Florida Counting Book  

Sponsored by Florida Reading Association

FRA Feature

1:00 – 2:00

 Daytona

Write for The Florida Reading Quarterly

Speaker:        Nile Stanley, FRQ Editor

Editors:         Nile Stanley, Lisbeth Dixon-Krauss, Gigi Morales David, Donna Keenan, Terry Cavanaugh, and Linda Dacks

Summary:  Come meet the Florida Reading Quarterly staff and get tips for writing articles for publication in The Florida Reading Quarterly.

Venice

K-12

eBooks Expanding the Classroom Library

Speaker: Terence W. Cavanaugh, University of North Florida                   

Chair: Diane Mirro

Summary: Discover how to expand your book collection with free eBook resources to use in content area reading and to provide reading enhancement.
Presentation | Resources

Madeira

4-8

Inferencing:  Making the Invisible Visible

Speaker: Adrien W. Helm, Meadowlawn Middle School, Pinellas County               

Chair: Robin Grimsley

Summary: Explore techniques to assist students in understanding the complex thinking that produces correct inferences from text.

Clearwater

ESOL

Avenues to Literacy for English Language Learners

Speaker: Rebecca S. Gigliotti, Consultant, Hampton-Brown Co.

Chair: Linda Bracken

Summary: Receive effective strategies for building English language learners’ language and literacy skills using comprehensive, standards-based instruction.

Siesta/Biscayne

Teachers

Teachers Can Be Millionaires Too

Speaker: Mark C. Schug, Center for Economic Education, University of Wisconsin              

Chair: Dale Figg, Houghton Mifflin

Summary: Enjoy a lively, interactive presentation to introduce teachers to basic principles of building wealth.

Largo

4-12

Better Reading Habits—Better Reading Results

Speaker: Margaret M. Trauernicht, Consultant, Zaner-Bloser Educational Publishers           

Chair: Pam Donehew

Summary: Learn good habits that successful readers use before, while, and after reading to improve thinking, vocabulary, and summarizing, especially in content reading.

Daytona

PreK-1

Wonderful Word Walls!

Speakers: Bronwyn McLemore and Janice Wood, University of North Florida         

Chair: Sharon Hinsley

Summary: Leave this session overflowing with daily activities to make your Word Wall an interactive teaching tool that you and your students enjoy.

Venice

K-12 

Trinidad Literacy Connection (TLC)

Speaker: Sherida Weaver, FRA International Projects Co-Chair

Chair: Jennifer Flynn

Summary: Learn how FRA reaches out to Trinidad and Tobago to provide training and materials to local teachers and local schools.  Find out how you can get involved.

Madeira

K-12

Easy Steps to Writing Grants

Speaker: Victoria R. Register, Griffin Middle School, Leon County            

Chair: Ellen Mora

Summary: Examine the steps necessary in writing grants from the initial idea to objectives, evaluation, budget, and helpful web sites.

Clearwater

PreK-3

The First Frontier:  Trends in Emerging Literacy  (Prekindergarten-Grade 3)

Speakers: Rayann M. Mitchell and Sandy Show, Supervisor of Elementary Reading/Language Arts and Supervisor of Prekindergarten Services, Pasco County

Chair: Leslie Spector

Summary: Learn how to preserve developmentally appropriate practices for PreK-3 students while adhering to state mandates for higher standards at every level.

Siesta/Biscayne

K-3

Secret Stories—Cracking the Reading Code!

Speaker: Katherine E. Garner, Author, The Secret Stories           

Chair: Kathy Carmichael

Summary: Participate in a brain-based, multi-sensory adventure to crack the secret reading codes that lie beyond the alphabet.

Cedar

4-10

Exploring Florida

Speakers: Susan     Holtzworth and Michael Sweeney, University of South Florida

Chair: Shannon Ayrish

Summary: Check out “Florida Then and Now” on the Exploring Florida website for free FCAT reading passages, questions, student activities, and teachers notes; leave with a free CD.

Marathon

3-10

Aligning Instruction to FCAT:  Two Birds with One Stone

Speakers: Sharon Kossack, Jaan Roegge, Stacey Brown, and Yvette Domenech, Florida International University and Broward and Miami-Dade Counties

Chair: Goldie Stopek

Summary: Create test items with FCAT test specifications and examine ways to help students independently learn content and test taking.

Largo

Pre-K

Enhancing the Vocabulary of Prekindergarten Students

Speaker: Heidi A. Maier, Marion County Public Schools

Chair: Susan Johnson

Summary: Review a 10-week program to enhance the vocabulary acquisition of prekindergarten students.

Azelea A

4-8

Differentiating Instruction through Comprehension Strategies

Speaker: Susan S. Young, Consultant, Pacific Learning               

Chair: Pam LaRiviere

Summary: Learn seven key comprehension strategies to help students become more effective readers.

Second General Session

3:30 – 5:00 pm

Citrus Ballroom

Presiding:  Michelle Kelley, FRA State Director of Membership

Statements from FRA Candidates for Vice President

Introduction of Speaker:  Andrea Rosenblatt, FRA Past President

Speaker:  Cris Tovani

Topic:  Redefining Reading:  Expanding the Instructional Possibilities

Reading comprehension requires more than “barking at print.”  Teaching students how to think about all types of texts helps them to know what to do when reading words alone doesn’t produce meaning.  Join Cris Tovani as she examines the limitless possibilities of redefining reading.

Sponsored by Florida Reading Association

President's Reception

7:00 – 8:00pm

Jasmine/Magnolia

FRA President Janey Adams invites all conferees to the President’s Reception.

Presiding:  Janey Adams, FRA President/Conference Chair

Sponsored by SRA, Scholastic and Pearson Learning

Denim, Dancing, and Desserts

8:00 – 10:00pm

Jasmine/Magnolia

It’s party time at the Reading Roundup!  Put on your dancing boots and line dance to country-western music.  Don’t know how to line dance?  We’ll teach you.  Also enjoy the fabulous desserts—you’ll work off the extra calories on the dance floor! Music and dance instruction by Boogie Man George.

Sponsored by Scott Foresman and Florida Reading Association