docFrom the Desk of Brenda Greever, VSRA President tBrenda
download 
Report Transcription
From the Desk of Brenda Greever, VSRA President tBrenda
From the Desk of Brenda Greever, VSRA President The mission of the Virginia State Reading Association is to lead in the promotion of literacy through collaboration, advocacy and professional developments. VSRA's first Governing Council Meeting of the 2003-2004 school year brought over 75 members to Richmond on September 13 to chart the path for Virginia's New Era in Literacy. While committee chairs with officer liaisons reviewed and prioritized goals and activities for the year, council membership chairs and their presidents studied VSRA's membership development process. NewlYcactivated Long Range Conference Planners designed an action plan to include research of VSRA's unique conference sites. Yes, we had it all: large group business meeting, small group interactive sessions, well established committees adding opportunities, ad hoc committees defining their mission, and a plahning team whose primary goal is to support each upcoming conference thair. Energized and grounded in purpose, V5M will promote literacy throughout the Commonwealth. If you would like to serve on a state level committee, please visit the website at WWw.vsra.org and contact the committe' chair. In November. 2002, VSRA's fall newsletter became the annual conference edition. Accordingly, this newsle\ unveils a description of pre-conference institutes with their presenters, housing information for the three-day professional development evetlt, and a registration form that may be duplicated and forwarded to colleagues and pre-service teachers. On behalf of Conference Chair Jacqueline Lewis Roberts and the 2004 Conference Planning Team, the VSRA Board of Directors and I extend our invitation for you to join us at the 37th annual conference in Richmond on March 18-20. tBrenda Mrs.NancyKing,Dr.poneyMullins,Mrs.Brenda Greevel; Ms.SusanTolliver Productive Governing Council meetings don't just happen. On August 9 and 10 the VSRA Board of Directors was welcomed to Abingdon by Dr. Foney Mullins, Elementary Supervisor in Washington County Schools. This is VSRA'sfirst meeting held in Southwest. , , VSRA CONFERENCE NEWS The conference dates are fast approaching. The annual conference will be at the new Richmond Convention Center and Marriott Hotel on March 18-20,2004 in Richmond. The keynote speakers include J. David Cooper, Stephanie Harvey, P. David Pearson and Michael Pressley. Featured speakers include Mary Abouzeid, Jim Beers, Cathy Collins Block, Gianna Casseta,Adrian Fogelin, Jim Grant, Elfrieda Hiebert, Jerry Johns, Denise Johnson, Marcia Invernizzi, Rosary Lalik, Lester Laminack, John Moore, Megan Tschannen-Moran, Nancy Polette, Judy Richardson, Jan Rozzelle and others. As you see, we have an outstanding complement of reading educators. The banquet speaker on Friday evening is David Baldacci. Not only is he a best selling author of the thrillers, Saving Faith, Wish You Well, Last Man Standing, and Split Second, he is also an advocate for literacy. He works closely with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, whose mission is to underscore the notion that "the parent is the child's first teacher and that reading is the child's first subject." We are also proud to claim him as a Virginian who graduated from VCU and the University of Virginia. The Primary/Elementary Breakfast speaker is illustrator James Ransome. His newest book is Bruh Rabbit and the Tar Baby Girl by the late Virginia Hamilton, a wonderful retelling of an Uncle Remus story. Ransome's illustrations for James Weldon Johnson's, The Creator won the Coretta Scott King Award as well as the IBBY Honor Award. The SecondaryBreakfast speakeris Chris Crutcher. I ~~~~~ ~ Among We His tender and hilarious autobiography, King of the Mild Frontier will be the talk of the morning. Known for his realistic stories of young adults, he brings a fresh insight to our perception of teens. The luncheon speaker is Lois Lowry author of The Givet; Number the Stars, Gathering Blue and her latest The Silent Boy among other outstanding books. She has written more than twenty novels for both young adults and children. Winner of two Newberry Awards, Lowry offers a thoughtful perspective to our notions of good and evil, right and wrong. Other awards incl~de Globe Horn Book Award, Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, California Young Readers'Medal and Mark Twain Award. the featured speakers are Doreen Rappaport and Shane Evans who collaborated on two African American books No More: Storiesand Songs ofSlaveResistanceand Free At last! Stories and Songs ofEmancipation. Rappaport's research and Evans' interpretation of an historical event is inspiring. Finally among the featured speakers are: Elisa Carbone Storm Wamor and Stealing Freedom;.Jerd Nolen Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm and Thunder Rose;Muriel Branch Dear Ellen Bee and Pennies to Dollars, Story ofMaggie Lena Walker, and Daryl Dance From My People: 400 Years of African American Folklore. are excited by the wonderful group of educators, authors and illustrators. Join us for a conference that will be informative as well as fun as we travel the Roads to Literacy in 2004. WWW.Vs~.o~~ RICHMOND MAP...P...IOTT AND C;P...EATEP... P...ICHMOND CONVENTION CENTEP... HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS To receive the VSRA room rate during the period of March 18-20, contact directly one of the following Conference Hotels by February 6, 2004. SPECIFY THAT YOU ARE A VSRA PARTICI PANT. Reservations made after Februa~ 6. 2004 are subject to room and rate availability. Phone E-mail Hotel Rate- MarriottHotel 500EastBroad $120perroom 804.643.3400 n/a (s,dbl, trip, quad) $99perroom CrownePlaza CanalStreet (5, db) Distanceto Conference ParkingFee 2 0 $9self-parking overnightguests $12Valet 1 6 blocks ShuttleAvailable $7 overnight $5honorpark1 blockaway RequiredNightStay 804.788.0900 www.richmond or crowneplaza.com 1.800.2CROWNE (reservation office) usegroupcode"VSR" 'Note: 12.5%Stateandlocaltaxesadditional.Specialneeds,requestsandroompreferences shouldbe directedto thehotel. $3.00per hour/max$12 perdayfor local attendees at the 5thandMarshallStreetParkingDeck.Additional parkingis availableattheConvention CenterParkingDeckat3rdandMarshall Street. M3. Best,Current Intervention Strategiesfor Helping Your Struggling Writers Learn how to get "down under" to reach those struggling children who are falling behind. Explore the power of writing to improve children's literacy understanding. JoanAldrich Knight LiteracyLinks, INC. EducationalConsultant Thursday, March 18 PRE-CONFERENCE INSTITUTES MARRIOTT HOTEL 8:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m. Morning Institutes MI. What Language Arts Teachers Can Do to Promote Cross-curricular Literacy ClassroomTeachersK-2, Pre-serviceTeachers, Reading Specialists,Title !/Reading RecoveryTeachers M4. Leveling Books for "On-Target" Reading Knowing a gradientof text difficulty for books within your students' reading range sets the scene for good literacy instruction. In this hands-on workshop, attendees will practicelevelingbooksfor K-3 readersusingthe Book Steps levelingsystem. Limited to 20 participants. Pleasebring a calculator. The new SOL framework is here! Are you curious about how languagearts teacherscan improve cross-curricular support for literacy? Come to this sessionand learn to facilitate reading and writing instruction school-wide. Extensivehandoutswill be provided. SandraWhitaker SecondaryLanguageArts Curriculum Coordinator Carol Clark, LanguageArts Lead Teacher KarenTaylor, Literacy Specialist Albemarle CountyPublic Schools Administrators, ClassroomTeachers4-8, Pre-service Teachers,Reading Specialists M2. Nonfiction is Cool? No Kidding. Kids Love It! This sessionwill presentthe best in currentnonfiction and informationalbooks. Teachingstrategiesand activities that enhancestudent inquiry into subject matter, cooperative learning projects, and independent research across the curriculum will be shared. Learn about exciting ways to increasestudentmotivation. Dr. Nancy Livingston AssociateProfessor ElementaryEducation Brigham YoungUniversity Administrators, ClassroomTeachers3-8, Pre-service Teachers,Reading Specialists,Title I Teachers Alix Miller Alix K. Miller Consulting Consultant,Author ClassroomTeachersK-3, Pre-serviceTeachers, Reading Specialists,Title I Teachers MS. "Storytelling: Weaving the Magic of Reading on the Road to Literacy" Enjoy the long lost art of sto~elling through lively tales, drama, poetry, magic and music. The joys of reading to and for children will be presentedwith audienceinteraction, using research-basedstrategies, techniques and best instructional practices to ensure success for all students. HazelineHarris RetiredSupervisor,Title 1 ReadingProgram Arlington Public Schools Audrey Smith AssistantSuperintendent,Instruction PageCountyPublic Schools Administrators, ClassroomTeachersK-6, Title I Teachers,ReadingSpecialists,Media Specialists SuzanneGallagher,Director Centerfor EconomicEducation Virginia CommonwealthUniversity EdnaCain, ProgramDirector Centerfor EconomicEducation Virginia StateUniversity M6. "On the Write Track to Improving Instruction: One School's Journey" Writing Does a school with high passingrates on the SOL Writing Testneedto improve writing instruction?Yes! Travel with one school on its journey from good to great. Participants willleam how the curriculum was modified, what changes were made in daily writing instruction, how writing assessment supportedthese changes,and the role of staff development. ClassroomTeachersK-8, Pre-serviceTeachers, Reading Specialists,Title I Teachers JohannaH. Burks ReadingSpecialist Anne O'Toole Principal, RobiousElementary ChesterfieldCountyPublic Schools Administrators, ClassroomTeachersK-5, Reading Specialists LITERACY INSTITUTES MARRI OTT HOTEL 10:15A.M.-12:15P.M. Mid-Morning Institutes MMI. Poetry M7. Creating a Balanced Literacy Program Through the Use of Centers and Technology The presenterswill provide innovative strategiesto help primaryteachersdevelopabalancedliteracyprogram.Topics coveredwill includeliteracycenters,classroommanagement, integrationof literacyacrossthecurriculum,andtechnology. A bibliography of relatedwebsiteswill be available. JanetSheriff, SecondGradeTeacher Henrico CountyPublic Schools Audrey Cypress,Media Specialist BarbaraLynch, KindergartenTeacher NancySchroeder,KindergartenTeacher Lillie Smith, KindergartenTeacher Richmond City Public Schools ClassroomTeachersK-2, Pre-serviceTeachers,Reading Specialists,ESL Teachers,Title I/Reading Recovery Teachers Special Sessionl -Puppet Economics for K-8 Teacherscan help studentsuse reading, writing, and oral languageskills to developoriginal puppetshows.Learn how to integratebasic economicsconceptsfrom the SOLs such as decision-making, production, and specialization. Participantsreceivecopiesof the curriculum. Fee: $35. Limited to 60 participants. Martha Hopkins, Associate Director Center for Economic Education James Madison University (Storytelling! Dr. SS.1. Pizzazz Plus! Drama tiza ti 0 ns/W ri ting) This interactive high-energy program explores the art of painting with words through rhythm ~d rhymes. Using musical instruments and interpretations, participants move with "The Sugar Lady" to create PIZZAZZ! ' Arlene A. Carter-Pounds ReadingSpecialistPittsylvania CountySchools ClassroomTeachers4-8, Pre-serviceTeachers,Reading Specialists,Parents MM2.Hey! I Can Read and Understand This! Many studentsstruggleto understandwhat they read in content area classesbecausetheir required reading is written at their frustration reading level. Researchsuggeststhat instructional level learning promotes comprehensionin students of all ages and at all reading levels. The presenterswill share methods and materials that accelerate achievement while improving reading abilities in the content area classrooms. Candy Foster Reading Specialist Harrisonburg City Schools Emily Sargent-Beasley Science Teacher and Doctoral Student University of Virginia ClassroomTeachers4-8, ESL Teachers,Content Area Teachers,Reading Specialists i .. MM3. MM6. Instructional Texts That Support Reading Fluency and Vocabulary Write Away! This presentation will addressinstructional texts from grades one through four-the period when students are developing their foundation in reading fluency and beginning their acquisition of vocabulary from text. Featuresof texts that best support fluency will be presented. The nature and instruction of vocabulary that is essentialfor rapid and meaningful reading of texts in literature and content areas from grades three on through college will be described. Dr. Elfrieda Hiebert Professor-Literacy,Language,andCultureProgram University of Michigan ClassroomTeachers1-4, Pre-serviceTeachers,ESL Teachers,Reading Specialists,Title I Teachers MM4. Short Forms Go a Long Way Participantswill experiencea variety of strategiesuseful for summarizing fiction and nonfiction selections in a brief format. The relationshipof the summaries'contentandhow it reflects students'comprehensionwill be addressed. Dr. JeradiCohen English Coordinator RoanokeCountySchools Dr. JenniferJones AssistantProfessor Radford University ClassroomTeachers3-8, Pre-serviceTeachers,Reading Specialists,Title I Teachers MM5. Helping Students Achieve Reading Successin AU Content Areas Studentsmustread,understand,apply,anduseinformational text effectively. Learn about strategies that help students read successfullyin social studies,scienceand mathematics,as well as passinghigh-stakesassessments and meetingthe requirements of theVIrginia Standardsof Learning. Handoutswill beprovided. Dr. Donna Knoell EducationalConsultant,Author Administrators, ClassroomTeachersK-8, College Educators, ESL Teachers,Media Specialists,Parents, Reading Specialists,Title I Teachers Learn how to break down the writing processinto logical steps.Strategieswill be givento participantsto helpstudents write clear,organizedparagraphs,reports,andessaysusing graphicorganizersand colors. Carolyn Keeton RetiredPrincipal,Henrico County ClassroomTeachersK-8, ESL Teachers,Reading Specialists,Title I Teachers MM7. Ready,Set,Action: Active Student Engagementin Reading, Writing, and Talking about Text Whatcanteachersdo to activelyengagestudentsin reading, writing, and talking abouttext? Learn and apply engaging vocabulary and comprehensionstrategies that improve readingin gradesthreeandbeyond. Dr. Ian Rozzelle Dr. Valerie Gregory Collegeof William and Mary Schoolof Education,SchoolLeadershipInstitute Administrators, TeacherLeaders 3-8, Reading Specialists,Title I Teachers,Staff Developers MM8. DiscoveringPaths to Literacy with Technology Searchingfor waysto integratetechnologyinto your reading curriculum? In this sessionyou will discovertreasuresto enhanceyour technology instruction: links for on-line practice, PowerPointideas, graphic organizersand more. Learn how theseresourcesimprove phonemic awareness phonics,vocabulary,fluencyandcomprehension.Returnto your classroomable to incorporateyour newly discovered knowledge,evenif you do not consideryourself "computer savvy." MelissaWarren VSRA Technology& ReadingCommitteeChair Bristol Virginia Public Schools Administrators, ClassroomTeachersK-5, Reading Specialists,Title I Teachers MM9. comprehension. What's Reading Got to Do With It? Making Reading in the Content Area User-friendly Through Research-basedStrategies Kathy Walker EducationalConsultant This action packed workshop provideparticipantswith research-based strategies that assistteachersof all content areasin improving the reading Icomprehension of all students. Participants will be provided' with a packetof all strategies modeled during the session. Dr. Dan Mulligan Director of InstructionalAccountability HamptonCity Public Schools Administrators, ClassroomTeachersK -12, Pre-service Teachers,Reading Specialists,TitleI Teachers ClassroomTeachers4-8, ReadingSpecialists,Title I Teachers Exploring the Role of the Reading Specialist: Leave No Educator Behind on the Road to Literacy Success A school division's literacy leadership team will share positive, proven ideas for developing literacy proficiency using the reading specialist as a school literacy leader. Participantswill learn how a schoolwide literacy approach can be formulated with the use of suggestionsfor working with administrators,classroomteachers,andparents. Dr. Nancy Guth Supervisorof Readingand LanguageArts Carol Sitzman ReadingSpecialist-Grafton Village Elementary StephaniePettengill ReadingSpecialist~ RodneyThompsonMiddle School Agnes Dunn National CRISS Trainer Stafford CountyPublic Schools Thursday, March 18 LITERACY INSTITUTES MARRIOTT HOTEL 12:30p.m.-2:30p.m. Afternoon Institutes Administrators, ClassroomTeachersK-8, Reading Specialists,Title I Teachers AI. Strategies to Increase the Learning Rates of ALL Children (a la No Child Left Behind) Participantswill learn aboutresearched-based strategiesthat resulted in large increases in student achievementand significant changesin school grades for thirteen schools. Learn aboutwhat really works. Dr. Richard Culyer ProgramDevelopmentSpecialist,Consultant Administrators, ClassroomTeachersK-6, Reading Specialists,Title I Teachers The Reluctant Reader: How do you heal the wounds of the reader who has fallen and can't get up? The inability to decodemulti-syllabic words significantly impactsweakreaders.Multi-syllabic wordsfrequentlycarry the meaning in content passages. Learn strategies for increasingstudents'abilitiesto decodelongerwordsandthus increase A3. A2. will A4. TargetingStudents'Needs: UsingPALS Reports to Guide Instruction Classroomteachers,readingspecialists,and principals will learn how to examine PALS reports to target students' instructionalneeds.Participantsshouldbring the fall PALS Class Report for their class(es)or use the sample Class Reportsprovidedby the presenters. Marcia Invernizzi Professor/PALSPrincipal Investigator JenniBallow PALS Co-ProjectManager HeatherPartridge PALS Co-ProjectManager JennyReifenberger ResearchAssistant University of Virginia Administrators, ClassroomTeachersK-3, Reading Specialists,Title I Teachers AS. Inco~orating Writing with the Componentsof Literacy Instruction I Writing is an integral component in the literacy process. Participants will engage in specific instructional strategies that connect writing with the five pillars of literacy -phonemic awareness,phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Dr. JoanRhodes AssociateProfessor Virginia CommonwealthUniversity Valerie Robnolt Virginia CommonwealthUniversity 7["'H Administrators, ClassroomTeachers1-5, Pre-service Teachers,ESL Teachers,Reading Specialists,Title I Teachers Teaching "Irregular" Classroom Children in the Regular Thewide rangeof developmentaldifferencescombinedwith increasednumbersof difficult to reachstudentsis a challenge to today's teachers. This sessionwill focus on practical strategiesto narrow the achievementgap of our hardestto teachstudents. Dr. Jim Grant Author/Consultant Administrators, ClassroomTeachersK-6, Pre-service Teachers,College Educators, ESL Teachers,Reading Specialist,Title I Teachers A7. Understanding and Promoting Fluency ,--,,\ This presentation will help participants gain greater knowledge and understanding about fluency and its assessment.It will offer strategiesto help promotefluency in the classroomand with studentswho strugglein reading. Dr. JerryL. Johns ImmediateIRA PastPresident, Author, ProfessionalDevelopmentConsultant ClassroomTeachersK-6, Pre-serviceTeachers, Reading Specialists,Title l/Reading RecoveryTeachers "~:3 A6. 4 - Teacher Research is a way that educators may examine their instructional practices in order to improve teaching and learning conditions for students. VSRA provides funding for K-12 teachers interested in planning, implementing, and sharing the results of their literacy-related research. Such work leads to long-term meaningful change. Grants of up to $1000.00 each will be awarded at the 36th annual conference of VSRA. The grant program is open to full or part-time elementary and secondary teachers in Virginia. Applicants must be current VSRA members. Each applicant should submit a proposal that describesa researchplan. A panel of teacher researchers will judge proposals. Recipients must attend the 2003 VSRA conference to receive their awards. They also will participate in a sessiondesigned to highlight their work at the 2004 conference. All recipients will receive a recent book of their choice on teacher research. II. I. COVER PAGE Each application should include a coversheetthat hasthe name,address,phone number, email address,school, grade and/or subject taught for each teacherresearcherinvolved in the project. No identifying information suchasthe namesof schoolsor teachersshould be on the proposalto provide for blind review. PROPOSAL The proposalshould be composedof four main sections: rationale,method, timeline and budget. The body of the proposal should be no longer than three typewritten pages,double-spaced.Attachments suchasreferences, data collection tools, and the budget should be included asAppendices. Five copies of your proposal must be submitted. Include a self-addressed stampedenvelopeto receiveverification that your grant was received. A. Tide B. Rationale The proposal should include a rationale that addressesthe following: .What are the researchquestions? .Why are these questions personally important to you? .Why are these questions important to the field? Note: Questions should be written in an open-ended format rather than yes/no questions. C. Methods The proposal should include a description of how you will design, implement, evaluate and share your findings. Provide descriptions of the following points: .All participants and their roles .How you will conduct the study .Materials .Data to be collected .Analysis of data .Sharing findings D. Timeline The proposalshould include a timeline indicating when eachaspectof your project will be accomplished. E. Appendices .Each submission should include a letter of support indicating permission for the researchto be conducted in the school division and for the findings to be disseminated by YSRA. The letter should be written by the appropriate school official on the system'sor school's letterhead. .References .Data collection tools .Budget (Be specific) Submission Deadline: All proposals must be postmarked on or before January 10, 2004 . VSRA. prestigious award. Award recipients will be notified in February and should plan to attend the VSRA Conference in Richmond, VA, on March 18-20,2004, to receive this award. The application must be completed and returned to: Dr. Charlene Fleener,EC University, Norfolk, VA 23529 Phone: 757.683.6074 fax: 757.683.5862 email: [email protected] Or Dr. Ruth Short, MSC 1904, JamesMadison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Phone: 540.568.2938 fax 540.568.2829 email: [email protected] Address: email: Circle One: Graduate Undergraduate Circle One: Part-time student Full-time student You must be a member ofVSRA to receive this scholarship. Pleaseindicate the name of your local council or the year in which you joined VSRA. . Pleasesubmit a copy of your most recent transcript indicating your GPA. List below all extracurricular and professional organizations to which you belong. Pleasenote any roles of responsibility such as officer or committee chair. If necessary,attach an additional sheet. Submit letters of recommendation from two faculty members, one of which must be a member of your Education Department. Pleasesend a third letter of recommendation from someone other than a faculty member. This person should be familiar with your ability to work with people, especiallychildren; for example, a cooperating teacher or a work supervisor. Pleaseinclude a brief rationale paper (1-2 pages) explaining why you should receive this scholarship. Finally, please submit an essayexplaining how membership in VSRA-can benefit you asa professional in either the present or future. ,. Deadline: December 15, 2003 Mail to: Dr. Charlene Fleener,ECI, Education Bldg., Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529. Phone: 757.683.5103, fax: 757.683.5862; email: [email protected] Or Dr. Ruth Short, MSC 1904, JamesMadison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807. Phone: 540.568.2938, fax 540.568.2829; email: [email protected] Name: Phone: President Brenda Greever has selected various members to serve on a Long Range Planning Committee to help the future Conference Chairs with some of the details that go into creating a quality VSRA Conference. Rochelle lrelandD' Ardenne was asked to chair this committee. On September 13, 2003, during the VSRA Governing Council meeting in Richmond, this committee held its initial meeting. There were six volunteers present in addition to the chair. The committee members brainstormed various ways in which they felt they could assist the Conference Chair in planning a conference and the top priority was creating a conference guidebook for the chair to use. This guidebook would contain such items as the speaker's contracts, hospitality functions, registration information, transportation details, special events and entertainment suggestions, past programs, use of our VSRA web page in regards to conferences, evaluation forms and their results from past conferences, committees and their assignments just to list a few. Long Range Planning Committee members volunteered to begin collecting information for this document and this will be reviewed at the January 10, 2004, meeting of this committee during another breakout session from the Governing Council. Anyone who has suggestions or recommendations for this committee should contact Rochelle at [email protected]. Newport News Reading Council Jennifer Smith, President We are back in school and excited to promote literacy in the Newport News Reading Council! Our 2003-2004 Membership Drive is underway with the support of our Membership Chairman, Sharon Smith. A Council goal this year is to give our teachers the most current information on the hottest reading topics. We are looking forward to our first workshop in November on the No Child Left Behind Act. This will certainly be a beneficial session for anyone wanting to learn more about this legislation that puts reading as a top priority. Teachers as Readers groups are now being fonned within the council! We are looking forward to hearing about the latest and greatest literature being enjoyed by our members. The Newport News Reading Council encourages all teachers to take time to celebrate International Literacy during the next three months. Provide your students with a variety of multicultural books and opportunities for Book Talks to share their excitement forreading. We are proud to be CELEBRATING LITERACY in the Newport News Reading Council! New River Valley Reading Council Denise Turner, President The conference' s theme this year is "Bridges to Literacy". Vendors will be on hand to share information and development on literacy. RARC will honor its Reading Teacherof the Year nominees with a celebration dinner on November 6. RARC members and the community at large has the opportunity to participate in the Youth Matter's 3-R Summit that will host Dr. TWila C. Liggett, creator & executive producer of the Emmy award winning PBS children's program Reading Rainbow. RARC is continuing community service through its Books for Babies and Early Literacy Projects. Our Parentsand Reading Community is busy planning literacy activities that will benefit homelessfamilies. Roanoke Valley Reading Council Carmella Stevenson, President RoanokeValleyReadingCouncilis busy gettign readyto present their Fall conference. The conferencewill be on October 14th, from 3:00-7:00atRoanokeCollege'sColketCenter.Notedchild's author,Mary Maden will be the featured speakerat the banquet. Mary's program is entitled, Take Flight-Read! During the afternoon,participantscan visit the manyeducationalexhibitsand attendthe variousliteracyworkshops. The New River Valley Reading Council and Radford University College of Educationand Human Developmentpresentedtheir SixteenthAnnual Fall ReadingConferenceSeptember20th. On November 13, 2003, RVRC in conjuction with the Roanoke Times, will host a Newspaper in Education workshop for educators. At this workshop teachers will learn more about using newspapers in the classroom and across the curriculum. Activities began with registration, coffee, doughnuts and vendor displays at 8:00, followed by a brief general meeting at 8:30. There, Denise Thrner, local council president, Dr. Paul Sale, department chairman, and Brenda Greever, president ofVSRA welcomed the approximately 250 participants. Another event that is being planned is the Cool Winter Reading activity. This program will involve a children's author reading aloud to studentsfrom the RoanokeValley. The goal of this program is to encourage children to read and to bring books alive for young children. There were two breakout sessions with thirteen presentations. Subjects that were treatedincluded (but were not limited to) parental involvement, language arts management, SOL's and non-fiction, Book Buddies Tutoring, fluency, writing, and teachersas learners. RVRC is excited to announce the creation of our new website. Just click on www.rvreadingcouncil.org to see all the wonderful events and happenings of the Roanoke Valley Reading Council! In addition, guest author, Jerry Pallotta presented some of his experiences and ideas in a session titled "From Icky Bugs to Chocolate Math." Jerry was also the speaker at the luncheon following the sessions. With slides and narrative he described how he came to write his books and some of his experiences in the writing process. Shenandoah -- Richmond Area Reading Council Sheree Foster, President RichmondArea Reading Council startedits 2003-2004year on the eve of hurricane Isabel with over 20 membersin attendance. Our goals are to provide our memberswith worthwhile literacy eventsand increaseour membership. RARC will kick off its line of events with the annual fall reading conference scheduled for October 22nd at Elkhardt Middle School. Valley Reading Council Anne Perdue, President ShenandoahValley Reading Council's annual Fall Mini Conference was held on October 2, 2003 atWestwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro. SVRC members and guests enjoyed dinner, attended interesting breakout sessions,visited with representatives from publishing companies, received door prizes provided by the exhibitors, and engaged in much fellowship among one another. Pre-Service teachers from James Madison University, Bridgewater College, and EasternMennonite University were also in attendance. Brenda Greever, President of Virginia State Reading Association brought greetings from VSRA. We look forward to an exciting year with emphasison increased participationin communityeventsin orderto promoteliteracy in the valley. 20 sessions for members to attend to learn more about literacy activities for their classrooms. Scott Paris will be our morning keynote speaker, and Sharon Denis Wyeth will be our luncheon speaker. We are honored that both speakersalso plan to do sessions of their own. Southwest Reading Council In VIrginia Beach, we are looking forward to traveling along the Roads to Literacy with the VSRA. Carolyn Cline, President On September 13, Southwest Reading Council held its 28th Annual Fall Conference at Abingdon High School. Dr. Foney Mullins, Instructional Supervisor of Elementary Schools and Administrator for Reading and Professional Development Programs, from Washington County Schools, welcomed conference attendees to Washington County. Grace Bradshaw and Karen Burke from the Appalachian Writing Project shared their expertise during the first general session. They gave everyone information about their project, including how members can participate in the Appalachian Writing Project and shared ideas on using Literature Response Journals. The second general sessionfeatured children's author,Jerry Pallotta. Jerry shared infonnation about his writing and he spenttime talking with people and was available to autograph his books. The "Icky Bug Man" was a big hit at the conference. Teachersas Readers Grant was awarded to Rich Valley Elementary School. Rich Valley is a K-5 school. There are twelve members in the Teachers as Readers group. The group will divide the $200 grant between K-2 and 3-5 grades since there are teachers participating from each grade level. Highland View ElementarySchoolreceivedtheir LiteracyAward for their ReadingPartnersProgram. On handto acceptthe award were Principal, Debbie Leonard and GuidanceCounselor,Betsy Turnbull. SouthwestReadingCouncil's Teacherof the YearAward wentto Darlene Rowland. Darleneis a teacherat Glade Spring Middle School in Washington County. Congratulations to all award recipients! Many teacherswho stayed until the end of the conferencewon great door prizes, provided by our many exhibitors and by the council. By all accounts,the 28thAnnual Fall Conferencewas a success! Virginia Beach Reading Council Mark your calendar now for this year's Luncheon honoring the Washington Post -Children's Book Guild Nonfiction Award winner Steve Jenkins. Jenkins' striking cut-paper illustrations fill books with such intriguing titles as What Do You Do With a Tail Like That?, Life on Earth: The Story of Evolution, and What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? Also hear Andrew Clements, author of the best-sellingFrindle aswell as The Janitor's Boy and Things Not Seen, and JamesRansome, illustrator of SweetClara and the Freedom Quilt, The Quilt Alphabet and The Creation (winner of the Coretta Scott King Award). Annette Conley, President Hurricane Isabel affected everyone in Virginia Beach in someway. For the Virginia Beach Reading Council, meetings had to be cancelled and rescheduled which now seems very insignificant in the grand scheme of things. We are recovering and very close to being back to normal. We're ready to focus on literacy and reading issues again. Our reception for administrators, board members, and contact people is our fall kick-off event to celebrate the strength of our council. Our Associate Superintendent,Dr. Sheila Magula, brought greetings for us and showed her support for literacy activities in Virginia Beach. We presented her with two autographed Lester Laminack books to add to her collection. Our fall meeting will feature author Larry Points who writes nonfiction books about the ChesapeakeBay. He lives on the Eastern Shore, and is an engaging speaker that our members will enjoy. We're preparing for our 15th Annual Fall Conference to be held on Saturday, November 15 at Larkspur Middle School. We have over This year'selegantLuncheon will be held at the Capital Hilton Hotel, 1001 16th St~ Farragut North Metro, at Noon on Saturday,November 15. Booksalesand signingbeforeand afterlunch. For more information and registration, call 301469-2070 or visit www.childrensbookguild.org. For information on a Pre-Luncheon seminar on Writing and Illustrating for Children, visit www.smithsonianassociates.org. Seminar features Guild members Mary Downing Hahn, Mary Quattlebaum and Marcy Ramsey. Are you looking for a way to get your kids motivated in writing? WritersDigestholdsa monthly writing contest for kids under 13. Go to the website www.writersdigest.com/ contests.It offersgreatprizesthat just might lure evena reluctant writer. If you are looking for different ways to teach writing using mini-lessons, check out the lessons at http:// www. geocities. com/SoHo/Workshop/840 51 minilessonmenu.html. There are mini-lessons for revision, word choice, voice, and several.others. Writing conferencesfor young writers can be very beneficial for budding student writers. It encouragestheir confidence,and gives them a chanceto improve their writing. If you are interestedin how one collegeconducts a YoungAuthors Conference for students in their arealook at the following link: http://www.reading.org/oriando/ #thurs. This websitewill link you to the handouts from a sessionat IRA. When you get to this website,scroll down to the Thursday morning sessions.The sessionwas titled asfollows: "Young Author's ConferencesThat Make a Difference," SusanKnell: presentation (PPT) I handouts (RTF) (Session,Thursday, May 8, 10:45 -11 :45 a.m., OrangeCounty Convention Center -309). This has excellenthandouts on doing a writer's conference. Marcie Atkins, Chair Board of Directors ~ 2003-2004 Brenda Greever, President 135 Peach Avenue Mt. Jackson, VA 22842 (H) and FAX 540.477.2614 [email protected] 2004 just D "Looking VeRA around for Leaders of Leaders" Candidates will be presented in the Winter VSRA Newsletter with an accompanying ballot for voting [email protected] purposes. Pat Richards, Vice-President 910 Junior Street Alexandria, VA 22301 (H) 703.683.1431 patj [email protected] New Officers will be announced at the VSRA March 2004 Conference in Richmond, Virginia. Hope P. Terrell, Past President 1312 Chelbrook Road Chesapeake, VA 23322 (H) 757.482.1635 FAX 757.546.8679 [email protected] The next newslettereditio~ DEADLINE is December 15,2004. Pleasehave any articles to Susan by this time. We would like to hear from each committee and local council. Send articles to: Secretary susan_toUiver@ hotmail.com Sue Ann Morris, Treasurer 111 Valley Street, NW Abingdon, VA 24210 (H) and FAX 276.628.2133 [email protected] Nancy King, State Coordinator 10224 Faire Commons Court Burke, VA 22015-2857 (H) 703.978-8017 FAX 703.978.6663 [email protected] Mary Southerly, Corresponding 7793 Port Republic Road Port Republic, VA 24471 (H) 540.249.5012 [email protected] Elections are the corner! Nominations are presently being received for Vice Presidentand Treasurer. Jacqueline Lewis Roberts, President-Elect 5103 Bending Branch Court Richmond, VA 23223 (H) 804.737.9153 FAX 804.319.3028 Suzanne Sprenger, Recording 2922 Tamarack Trail Roanoke, VA 24018 (H) 540.989.4949 FAX 540.387.6283 [email protected] ~~~ULLETIN Susan Secretary Linda Greaver, Director of Membership 210 Silver Leaf Drive Christiansburg, VA 24073 (H) 540.382.5480 FAX 540.381.6112 [email protected] Beth Check, Executive Secretary P.O. Box 2426 Poquoson, VA 23662 VSRA Office 757.868.6071 Fax 757.868.5352 [email protected] Tolliver -Editor 19564 Pleasant View DriveAbingdon, VA 24211 [email protected]
