Best Practices in Literacy


February 24, 2012       8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sewall Center, Moon Township Campus

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Maggie Kimmel  Professor Emeritus University of Pittsburgh
THE GIFT OF STORY

Research shows that early experiences with language and understanding of both spoken and written words begin with infants and toddlers.  Babies imitate the sounds they hear around them.  Cooing, singing, listening to simple rhymes and stories help to create an atmosphere of learning.  But some of our children are starved for story.  Children from a very early age are bombarded by stories in an electronic world that is as constant as wallpaper. Nowhere is there a quiet moment for reflection, for a question of what is important and special.  Our stories must be clear and imaginative.

Break Out Sessions 

• ACEING Reader Response Questions in Middle School
  Angie Logera and Erin Schollaert, Seneca Valley School District
• Storytelling:  Skills for Writing, Reading, Speaking, and Listening
  Dr. Nancy Kennedy, Community College of Beaver County
• Multisensory Vocabulary Instruction:  Benefits and Implementation in the K-8 Content Area Classroom
  Dr. Sandra Reidmiller, St. Vincent College
• Literacy Strategies to Move, Engage, and Assess Every Child, Every Day
  Amy Dellapena, Elementary Reading Coordinator McKeesport Area School District
• Dyslexia Defined: Perspectives on Specific Reading Disability and Intervention
  Maria Pluselli, Educational Consultant/Trainer
• All Hands on Deck_ The Importance of Role Release in Rtll
  Cristine Wagner-Deitch, Director of Curriculum Services, Beaver Valley IU 27
• An Overview of PA LETERS:  Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling
  Wendy S. Farone, Ph.D., Educational Consultant PaTTAN
• Making Meaningful Connections Between Narrative Texts and Young Readers
  Dr. Elizabeth G. Belcastro, Geneva College
• Debunking the Myths of Dyslexia
  Wendy S. Farone, Ph. D., Educational Consultant PaTTAN
• Content-Area Reading Strategies
  Renee Williams, Resource Teacher ASSET, Inc.
• The Benefits of Small Group Instruction
  Lori Dzielski and Connie Joseph, Cornell School District
• Instructional Coaching: A Key Component to Literacy in the Secondary Setting
  Chris Caton, Mentor Coordinator for the PA Institute of Instructional Coaching/Allegheny Intermediate Unit
  Megan Cicconi, Director of Educational Technology at Allegheny School District

 
Who Should Attend

Elementary, middle, and secondary classroom teachers, Title I teachers, school administrators, intermediate unit leaders, curriculum coordinators,  teacher educators, education students and student teachers who want to learn about best practices in literacy.

Act 48 Hours available through RMU

Teachers and Administrators $69
Students $25
Conference Fee includes Registration, Continental Breakfast and Buffet Lunch
Registration Deadline is February 17, 2012 

 OR

Mail Registration and Payment

Conference Information Contact: 
Donna Reilly at reilly@rmu.edu or 412-397-6024