Conference sessions will be held in two formats. Small group breakout sessions will present one topic during a 50-minute session. Speed Learning sessions are 15-minute roundtable presentations with discussion. The sessions listed below provide a brief description as well as a connections to one or more strands and grade levels.
1. Caring for the Heart of our Students: SEL in ELA
2. Sharing the ELA Love Across the Curriculum 3. Putting the HeART in ELA: Integration of the Arts in ELA Classrooms 4. For the Love of Technology 5. The Heart of Teaching: Best Practices in ELA 6. Community Connections: The Heartbeat of All Schools 7. Western PA Writing Project |
A. Grades 4-6
B. Grades 7-9 C. Grades 10-12 |
Sessions at a Glance
Click HERE for an overview of all of the sessions.
Click HERE for an overview of all of the sessions.
Small Group Breakout Sessions
Session 1 Time Slot: 10:00 to 10:50 a.m.
Life Maps as a Doorway to Trauma-Informed Teaching
The Life Map has been a method to bring fun to the classroom, and a way to unearth inviting writing topics. However, in this time of greater awareness of trauma, the Life Map can also become a doorway that opens opportunities for trauma-informed teaching and for student healing. Students should be invited to share both joy and sorrow, and prepared teachers can be the caring adults who support both.
Strands: 1, 5, 7, A, B, C
Presenter: Richard Koch
The Life Map has been a method to bring fun to the classroom, and a way to unearth inviting writing topics. However, in this time of greater awareness of trauma, the Life Map can also become a doorway that opens opportunities for trauma-informed teaching and for student healing. Students should be invited to share both joy and sorrow, and prepared teachers can be the caring adults who support both.
Strands: 1, 5, 7, A, B, C
Presenter: Richard Koch
Shakesphero- Coding the Bard
Using texts from William Shakespeare, teachers will be introduced to an innovative storytelling unit for staging productions with a twist: Sphero robots will act as thespians. This STEAM unit serves maximum impact for mastering the elements of literature with a particular focus on the exploration of subtext, which is the heart of dramatic literature. Using a combination of makerspace materials and coding to create their Shakespearean robot character’s blocking and characterization, teachers will learn how the robots unearth subtext and interpret meaning as they act out and narrate select scenes from various Shakespearean texts.
Strands: 1, 3, 5, 7, B, C
Presenter: Aspen Mock
Using texts from William Shakespeare, teachers will be introduced to an innovative storytelling unit for staging productions with a twist: Sphero robots will act as thespians. This STEAM unit serves maximum impact for mastering the elements of literature with a particular focus on the exploration of subtext, which is the heart of dramatic literature. Using a combination of makerspace materials and coding to create their Shakespearean robot character’s blocking and characterization, teachers will learn how the robots unearth subtext and interpret meaning as they act out and narrate select scenes from various Shakespearean texts.
Strands: 1, 3, 5, 7, B, C
Presenter: Aspen Mock
Advanced Word Study: Teaching Morphology through Systematic and Explicit Instruction
Designing high-quality lessons supported by research is challenging. The Simple View of Reading explains that students need to be proficient in both word recognition and language comprehension to be defined as skilled readers. Because English is morphophonological, we spell by sound-symbol relationships and by morphemes. This linguistic feature makes learning to read, write, and spell in English difficult for students. This workshop empowers instruction by peeking into the word recognition domain of the Simple View of Reading. Teachers can systematically and explicitly plan for high-quality morpheme instruction using the General Phonics Lesson Plan Template as a guide.
Strands: 5, A, B
Presenter: Jason Stragand
Designing high-quality lessons supported by research is challenging. The Simple View of Reading explains that students need to be proficient in both word recognition and language comprehension to be defined as skilled readers. Because English is morphophonological, we spell by sound-symbol relationships and by morphemes. This linguistic feature makes learning to read, write, and spell in English difficult for students. This workshop empowers instruction by peeking into the word recognition domain of the Simple View of Reading. Teachers can systematically and explicitly plan for high-quality morpheme instruction using the General Phonics Lesson Plan Template as a guide.
Strands: 5, A, B
Presenter: Jason Stragand
Using Stop Motion in the Classroom
Stop motion projects encourage students to think critically and creatively. They need to plan their stories, visualize scenes, and design characters and backgrounds. Through this process, they learn to express their ideas effectively and improve their narrative skills. These projects introduce students to basic concepts of animation, filmography, and technology. They learn to use specific software and hardware tools for stop motion, enhancing their digital literacy. educators can effectively integrate stop motion into the elementary classroom, providing students with valuable skills and a creative outlet for learning. Today's educators can effectively integrate stop motion into the elementary classroom, providing students with valuable skills and a creative outlet for learning.
Strands: 4, A
Presenters: Jared Schultz
Stop motion projects encourage students to think critically and creatively. They need to plan their stories, visualize scenes, and design characters and backgrounds. Through this process, they learn to express their ideas effectively and improve their narrative skills. These projects introduce students to basic concepts of animation, filmography, and technology. They learn to use specific software and hardware tools for stop motion, enhancing their digital literacy. educators can effectively integrate stop motion into the elementary classroom, providing students with valuable skills and a creative outlet for learning. Today's educators can effectively integrate stop motion into the elementary classroom, providing students with valuable skills and a creative outlet for learning.
Strands: 4, A
Presenters: Jared Schultz
Graphic Novels: Reading Pictures, Drawing Words
Graphic novels present stories in words and pictures. Pictures often directly illustrate the action of the story. But sometimes the pictures present more. In this session, we'll explore how illustrations can depict what is written, elaborate on the written word, and provide iconography that enrich verbal metaphors. Participants will read graphic novel pages closely and then draft pages based on a text provided. The session will share resources for classroom presentaitons and assignments for middle and high school students.
Strands: 3, B, C
Presenter: Ben Schachter
Graphic novels present stories in words and pictures. Pictures often directly illustrate the action of the story. But sometimes the pictures present more. In this session, we'll explore how illustrations can depict what is written, elaborate on the written word, and provide iconography that enrich verbal metaphors. Participants will read graphic novel pages closely and then draft pages based on a text provided. The session will share resources for classroom presentaitons and assignments for middle and high school students.
Strands: 3, B, C
Presenter: Ben Schachter
Teen Screen: Learning Through a Different Lens
Teen Screen is a free educational resource that allows students of different backgrounds and learning styles to explore important, often difficult, topics through the engaging and dynamic medium of film. Since 2005, over 100,000 students and teachers in the region have joined together in movie theaters and in classrooms virtually to watch and discuss movies of historical, cultural, and social significance—and they have walked away changed forever. In our presentation, we will share examples of our teacher guides, a film from our library, and feedback from past participants to show how you can use our program in your classroom.
Strands: 3, 4, B, C
Presenters: Tina Kakadelis and Kipp Dawson
Teen Screen is a free educational resource that allows students of different backgrounds and learning styles to explore important, often difficult, topics through the engaging and dynamic medium of film. Since 2005, over 100,000 students and teachers in the region have joined together in movie theaters and in classrooms virtually to watch and discuss movies of historical, cultural, and social significance—and they have walked away changed forever. In our presentation, we will share examples of our teacher guides, a film from our library, and feedback from past participants to show how you can use our program in your classroom.
Strands: 3, 4, B, C
Presenters: Tina Kakadelis and Kipp Dawson
Acceleration Techniques in ELA: Let's Get the Students Learning and Growing!
Remediation versus Acceleration, two terms bandied about in education circles, but which one has the edge to get out of age, out of grade middle schoolers back on track and learning. Come learn about the techniques that can fast-start those students and get them learning, growing and succeeding in the world of English Language Arts.
Strands: 5, B
Presenter: Darla Posney
Remediation versus Acceleration, two terms bandied about in education circles, but which one has the edge to get out of age, out of grade middle schoolers back on track and learning. Come learn about the techniques that can fast-start those students and get them learning, growing and succeeding in the world of English Language Arts.
Strands: 5, B
Presenter: Darla Posney
Robotic Writing?: Using AI Writing Tools in the ELA Classroom
The panic surrounding large language models such as ChatGPT and Google Bard has taken a particular toll on secondary writing instructors. This session will discuss the role of educators in teaching students to use AI writing tools ethically and creatively, without losing their personal voice to a robotic writing style. Using the third concept from Linda Adler-Kassner and Elizabeth Wardle’s Naming What We Know, “Writing Enacts and Creates identities and Ideologies,” attendees will develop writing exercises or assignments that inspire students to thwart the pull of AI writing and win back their individual voices.
Strands: 4, C
Presenters: Mallory Saylor and Sara Lindey
The panic surrounding large language models such as ChatGPT and Google Bard has taken a particular toll on secondary writing instructors. This session will discuss the role of educators in teaching students to use AI writing tools ethically and creatively, without losing their personal voice to a robotic writing style. Using the third concept from Linda Adler-Kassner and Elizabeth Wardle’s Naming What We Know, “Writing Enacts and Creates identities and Ideologies,” attendees will develop writing exercises or assignments that inspire students to thwart the pull of AI writing and win back their individual voices.
Strands: 4, C
Presenters: Mallory Saylor and Sara Lindey
Session 2 Time Slot: 11:00 to 11:50 a.m.
Finding Purpose and Pathway through Heartwork: Writing Toward a Future
In this workshop session, participants will try out and explore writing activities and career/education pathway resources on behalf of their secondary students, drawing from a National Writing Project initiative recently piloted in Wisconsin. They will leave the session with practical, actionable ideas for their classrooms. The session facilitator is the former director of the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project and project leader of Writing Future Me.
Strands: 1, 3, 5, 7, B, C
Presenter: Laura Roop
In this workshop session, participants will try out and explore writing activities and career/education pathway resources on behalf of their secondary students, drawing from a National Writing Project initiative recently piloted in Wisconsin. They will leave the session with practical, actionable ideas for their classrooms. The session facilitator is the former director of the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project and project leader of Writing Future Me.
Strands: 1, 3, 5, 7, B, C
Presenter: Laura Roop
Teachers are Magic! - Using AI for Instruction
AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is used for a wide range of applications and has become an integral part of many aspects of modern life. Fortunately, educators can use AI to assist them in daily tasks such as email construction, personalizing learning, generating rubrics, and developing questions. Unfortunately, AI is looked at as a risk to education instead of an opportunity. This session will help define AI in education and demonstrate how it can be utilized as a teaching assistant and to personalize learning for students.
Strands: 4, A, B, C
Presenters: Laura Swick & Sharlene Ballas
AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is used for a wide range of applications and has become an integral part of many aspects of modern life. Fortunately, educators can use AI to assist them in daily tasks such as email construction, personalizing learning, generating rubrics, and developing questions. Unfortunately, AI is looked at as a risk to education instead of an opportunity. This session will help define AI in education and demonstrate how it can be utilized as a teaching assistant and to personalize learning for students.
Strands: 4, A, B, C
Presenters: Laura Swick & Sharlene Ballas
Personalized Learning for All: Escape the Ordinary in the Heart of the School
Throughout this gamified session, learn how to effectively incorporate online library resources like Gale in Context, Britannica School Elementary, and genealogy databases into your teaching. Discuss how to foster greater student success through librarian collaboration, and find out how your librarian can support your goals. Discover how free POWER Library databases offer differentiated reading material and provide student choice in PK-12+ language arts projects. All Pennsylvanians have access to POWER Library databases through a partnership between the PA Department of Education and the Office of Commonwealth Libraries. Research doesn’t have to be boring - escape the ordinary at your school library!
Strands: 2, 4, A, B, C
Presenter: Katherine Kauffman Roth
Throughout this gamified session, learn how to effectively incorporate online library resources like Gale in Context, Britannica School Elementary, and genealogy databases into your teaching. Discuss how to foster greater student success through librarian collaboration, and find out how your librarian can support your goals. Discover how free POWER Library databases offer differentiated reading material and provide student choice in PK-12+ language arts projects. All Pennsylvanians have access to POWER Library databases through a partnership between the PA Department of Education and the Office of Commonwealth Libraries. Research doesn’t have to be boring - escape the ordinary at your school library!
Strands: 2, 4, A, B, C
Presenter: Katherine Kauffman Roth
Fred Rogers and Social Emotional Learning: Building SEL through Relationships
Fred Rogers reminds us that it is “through relationships, that we grow best and learn best.” These relationships, and the everyday interactions we have with young people, are the foundation to supporting social and emotional skill development. In this session, we will draw from the work of Fred Rogers and developmental science to explore strategies for integrating SEL into the classroom. We will watch video from real practice, and participants will engage in a reflection activity to apply these ideas to their own practice.
Strands: 1, A, B, C
Presenter: Dr. Annie White
Fred Rogers reminds us that it is “through relationships, that we grow best and learn best.” These relationships, and the everyday interactions we have with young people, are the foundation to supporting social and emotional skill development. In this session, we will draw from the work of Fred Rogers and developmental science to explore strategies for integrating SEL into the classroom. We will watch video from real practice, and participants will engage in a reflection activity to apply these ideas to their own practice.
Strands: 1, A, B, C
Presenter: Dr. Annie White
The Write Way: Cohesion Through Interdisciplinary Writing
While the idea of “Writing Across the Curriculum” is nothing new to most districts, this session will provide ideas for teachers looking to gain writing support from other disciplines, specifically a Unified Arts curriculum at the Elementary level, along with Social Studies, Math, Science and Foreign Language writing support at the middle and high school levels. Materials will include brainstorming templates for teachers, samples/examples of writing prompts within various disciplines, and materials supporting basic writing initiatives for all levels (K-12).
Strands: 2, A, B, C
Presenters: Gina Ligouri, Amy Jarosinski, and Jen Robinson
While the idea of “Writing Across the Curriculum” is nothing new to most districts, this session will provide ideas for teachers looking to gain writing support from other disciplines, specifically a Unified Arts curriculum at the Elementary level, along with Social Studies, Math, Science and Foreign Language writing support at the middle and high school levels. Materials will include brainstorming templates for teachers, samples/examples of writing prompts within various disciplines, and materials supporting basic writing initiatives for all levels (K-12).
Strands: 2, A, B, C
Presenters: Gina Ligouri, Amy Jarosinski, and Jen Robinson
Continuity and Beyond: An Overview of Film/Video Editing
The session will define and demonstrate the art and practice of continuity editing via an in-session presentation of the software application, Adobe Premiere.
Strands: 4, C
Presenter: David Safin
The session will define and demonstrate the art and practice of continuity editing via an in-session presentation of the software application, Adobe Premiere.
Strands: 4, C
Presenter: David Safin
The HeART of Symbolism in the Classroom
In the literary world, symbolism and theme are crucial pieces to understanding a text. When presented with these terms, students have trouble looking beyond the words on the page. Visuals, such as illustrations, drawings, and paintings can be used in a variety of ways to bridge the gap students face. For young readers, seeing and drawing images helps them to break down the literal and the figurative.
Strands: 3, 5, B, C
Presenter: Nicole Fratrich
In the literary world, symbolism and theme are crucial pieces to understanding a text. When presented with these terms, students have trouble looking beyond the words on the page. Visuals, such as illustrations, drawings, and paintings can be used in a variety of ways to bridge the gap students face. For young readers, seeing and drawing images helps them to break down the literal and the figurative.
Strands: 3, 5, B, C
Presenter: Nicole Fratrich
Writing as a Tool for Healing Broken Hearts
We've all been through a lot in the last several years, and kids are the least-equipped to deal with social isolation, upheaval, and stress. In the face of the challenges of everyday life, the aftermath of a pandemic, school shootings, political division, and attacks on marginalized students, kids are in dire need of caring adults. In a world where AI bots can write perfectly average literary analyses, our instruction in the ELA classroom must transcend formulaic writing instruction; we must leverage writing as a tool not only for more authentic skill building but also for processing and healing for students.
Strands: 1, 5, 7, B, C
Presenter: Hannah L. Lewis
We've all been through a lot in the last several years, and kids are the least-equipped to deal with social isolation, upheaval, and stress. In the face of the challenges of everyday life, the aftermath of a pandemic, school shootings, political division, and attacks on marginalized students, kids are in dire need of caring adults. In a world where AI bots can write perfectly average literary analyses, our instruction in the ELA classroom must transcend formulaic writing instruction; we must leverage writing as a tool not only for more authentic skill building but also for processing and healing for students.
Strands: 1, 5, 7, B, C
Presenter: Hannah L. Lewis
Session 3 Time Slot: 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.
ReEducating Educators: Using Trauma-Informed Writing Pedagogy (TIWP) to Support SEL
Given the overwhelming case load and shortage of social services departments in schools, educators are expected to find alternatives to cultivate student relationships as well as provide content instruction. With the preface, “I do not care.” I do not understand. I get it,” in this session, educators will participate in a brief series of writing prompts relevant to student traumatic experiences and respond in student/ youth voice.
Strands: 1, 5, 6, 7, A, B, C
Presenter: Olave O. Sebastien
Given the overwhelming case load and shortage of social services departments in schools, educators are expected to find alternatives to cultivate student relationships as well as provide content instruction. With the preface, “I do not care.” I do not understand. I get it,” in this session, educators will participate in a brief series of writing prompts relevant to student traumatic experiences and respond in student/ youth voice.
Strands: 1, 5, 6, 7, A, B, C
Presenter: Olave O. Sebastien
Engaging Students in Holocaust Education Through Narrative
Over several decades of teaching about the Holocaust and other acts of genocide, I have learned that the enormity of what took place, with more than six million people killed, can present challenges for students. How are they to comprehend the scale of the mass murder that was perpetrated by Nazi Germany from the 1930s to 1945? I have learned that the best place to begin is with the stories of those involved -- the victims, the survivors, the rescuers, and the perpetrators. These stories place the historical events on a human scale, and make it possible to empathize with those involved. In working with teachers in grades 6-12, I have also found that a narrative approach is effective. At our Center, we have developed resources that place narrative at the center of educational units. Over the past two years, our Center has produced a series of films highlighting the experiences of Holocaust survivors from the Pittsburgh area. These films, which are designed to be used in classrooms, open a world of questions for students to pursue through projects. In my session, I would like to focus on one particular film, which tells the story of survivor Judah Samet, and to illustrate how, through a process of inductive inquiry, the film can be the basis of profound and meaningful learning experiences for students.
Strands: 2, 3, 5, B, C
Presenter: James G. Paharik
Over several decades of teaching about the Holocaust and other acts of genocide, I have learned that the enormity of what took place, with more than six million people killed, can present challenges for students. How are they to comprehend the scale of the mass murder that was perpetrated by Nazi Germany from the 1930s to 1945? I have learned that the best place to begin is with the stories of those involved -- the victims, the survivors, the rescuers, and the perpetrators. These stories place the historical events on a human scale, and make it possible to empathize with those involved. In working with teachers in grades 6-12, I have also found that a narrative approach is effective. At our Center, we have developed resources that place narrative at the center of educational units. Over the past two years, our Center has produced a series of films highlighting the experiences of Holocaust survivors from the Pittsburgh area. These films, which are designed to be used in classrooms, open a world of questions for students to pursue through projects. In my session, I would like to focus on one particular film, which tells the story of survivor Judah Samet, and to illustrate how, through a process of inductive inquiry, the film can be the basis of profound and meaningful learning experiences for students.
Strands: 2, 3, 5, B, C
Presenter: James G. Paharik
Creating TikToks to Write Thesis Statements
All across the country, students are watching TikToks. They are watching short, digestible videos that, when done well, deliver information to the viewer in a clear and concise manner. I do not use TikTok, but as a high school English teacher, I want my students to strengthen their abilities to write thesis statements, which as it turns out, also deliver information clearly and concisely to an audience. This session encourages teachers to give creative power to students to generate motivation and watch their students bring their previously tired essay prompts to life.
Strands: 4, B, C
Presenters: Emily D'Amico and Jen Schmidt
All across the country, students are watching TikToks. They are watching short, digestible videos that, when done well, deliver information to the viewer in a clear and concise manner. I do not use TikTok, but as a high school English teacher, I want my students to strengthen their abilities to write thesis statements, which as it turns out, also deliver information clearly and concisely to an audience. This session encourages teachers to give creative power to students to generate motivation and watch their students bring their previously tired essay prompts to life.
Strands: 4, B, C
Presenters: Emily D'Amico and Jen Schmidt
Connecting Culture: How Teachers Can Connect Pop Culture to Students Lives, Classroom Content, and Build a SEL Environment.
Over the past 3 plus years our students have faced a lot of challenges in their educational journeys leading to depression, stress, anxiety, and other mental health diagnosis. This session looks to engage participants in an active discussion about building a pop culture classroom that incorporates the social-emotional needs and culture of students. Examples of instructional pop culture teaching practices and social teaching practices that support student well-being will be provided and discussed.
Strands: 1, B, C
Presenter: William Visco
Over the past 3 plus years our students have faced a lot of challenges in their educational journeys leading to depression, stress, anxiety, and other mental health diagnosis. This session looks to engage participants in an active discussion about building a pop culture classroom that incorporates the social-emotional needs and culture of students. Examples of instructional pop culture teaching practices and social teaching practices that support student well-being will be provided and discussed.
Strands: 1, B, C
Presenter: William Visco
The Heart of Engagement
Join our teacher session to gain valuable insights, fresh ideas, and actionable takeaways. Elevate student engagement and motivation, showcasing your unwavering dedication to teaching.
Strands: 1, 3, 5, B, C
Presenters: Jo Ellen Harr and Mark Curcio
Join our teacher session to gain valuable insights, fresh ideas, and actionable takeaways. Elevate student engagement and motivation, showcasing your unwavering dedication to teaching.
Strands: 1, 3, 5, B, C
Presenters: Jo Ellen Harr and Mark Curcio
“I like what we did in class today”: Process Drama as Pedagogy
According to Wilhelm & Edmiston (1998), process drama is a pedagogy that requires students and their teachers to ask “what if” in the learning process. Inspired by inquiry-based learning, and theater, process drama is not about learning lines and putting on a skit. It is a way for students to engage in learning through play and imagination. In this session, a professor and his students will present some research and theory on process drama as well as engage in process drama activities with all!
Strands: 3, 5, B, C
Presenters: Tim Oldakowski; Mason Cotelesse; Samantha Lybrook; and Tristin Viale
According to Wilhelm & Edmiston (1998), process drama is a pedagogy that requires students and their teachers to ask “what if” in the learning process. Inspired by inquiry-based learning, and theater, process drama is not about learning lines and putting on a skit. It is a way for students to engage in learning through play and imagination. In this session, a professor and his students will present some research and theory on process drama as well as engage in process drama activities with all!
Strands: 3, 5, B, C
Presenters: Tim Oldakowski; Mason Cotelesse; Samantha Lybrook; and Tristin Viale
Becoming Critics: An Authentic Publication Opportunity in the School Library
School librarians are typically known for supporting students in the reading process. However, librarians can also be instrumental in fostering a community of writers. In this presentation we discuss how our library program supported students’ writing. In collaboration with the English department, the library became a space for authentic publication. Drawing from their independent reading, students engaged in the full writing process by writing and publishing a critical book review. We will share resources and takeaways regarding authentic publication in the school library. We also hope to discuss pathways for more writing collaborations between ELA and the library.
Strands: 5, C
Presenters: Elsa Buehler, Emily Mohn-Slate, and Christopher Olshefski
School librarians are typically known for supporting students in the reading process. However, librarians can also be instrumental in fostering a community of writers. In this presentation we discuss how our library program supported students’ writing. In collaboration with the English department, the library became a space for authentic publication. Drawing from their independent reading, students engaged in the full writing process by writing and publishing a critical book review. We will share resources and takeaways regarding authentic publication in the school library. We also hope to discuss pathways for more writing collaborations between ELA and the library.
Strands: 5, C
Presenters: Elsa Buehler, Emily Mohn-Slate, and Christopher Olshefski
Speed Learning Sessions: 1:40 to 2:15 p.m.
Engaging our Imaginations with Analogue Writing Implements
Tom Hanks still writes letters on a typewriter. I sent my partner letters written in fountain pen ink with wax seals when I studied abroad. You can buy a copy of facsimiles of Emily Dickinson's poems handwritten on envelopes and addressed to friends. Why do we find implements of writing to be so romantic or compelling? The only way to find out is to explore. Come to this speed session to play with typewriters, fountain pens, and even see the letters used to typeset printing presses. What will these implements inspire in you, or in your students?
Strands: 4, A, B, C
Presenter: Hannah Lewis
Tom Hanks still writes letters on a typewriter. I sent my partner letters written in fountain pen ink with wax seals when I studied abroad. You can buy a copy of facsimiles of Emily Dickinson's poems handwritten on envelopes and addressed to friends. Why do we find implements of writing to be so romantic or compelling? The only way to find out is to explore. Come to this speed session to play with typewriters, fountain pens, and even see the letters used to typeset printing presses. What will these implements inspire in you, or in your students?
Strands: 4, A, B, C
Presenter: Hannah Lewis
Sigma: The story of a student-run, peer-reviewed academic journal
Publication outlets can provide students with powerful authentic experiences with the writing process. While school newspapers and literary magazines are common in schools, students rarely have on-site outlets for their analytical writing, even though such writing makes up a large portion of their work. Sigma Academic Journal provides students with such an outlet, inviting them into the full process of academic research, from developing research questions to submitting articles, to peer reviewing and revising. In this session, we share lessons learned in the process of facilitating such an experience.
Strands: 5, C
Presenters: Christopher Olshefski, David Nassar, Vivian Loh, and Delia Brown
Publication outlets can provide students with powerful authentic experiences with the writing process. While school newspapers and literary magazines are common in schools, students rarely have on-site outlets for their analytical writing, even though such writing makes up a large portion of their work. Sigma Academic Journal provides students with such an outlet, inviting them into the full process of academic research, from developing research questions to submitting articles, to peer reviewing and revising. In this session, we share lessons learned in the process of facilitating such an experience.
Strands: 5, C
Presenters: Christopher Olshefski, David Nassar, Vivian Loh, and Delia Brown
Balloons over Broadway
This activity will focus on the picture book "Balloons over Broadway" by Melissa Sweet. After reading about the history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, students will design their own balloon float. During the design, students will need to problem solve any issues they encounter, just like the original creator of floats. Students also have the opportunity to showcase their creative skills.
Strands: 2, 3, 5, A
Presenter: Chrissy Mumford
This activity will focus on the picture book "Balloons over Broadway" by Melissa Sweet. After reading about the history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, students will design their own balloon float. During the design, students will need to problem solve any issues they encounter, just like the original creator of floats. Students also have the opportunity to showcase their creative skills.
Strands: 2, 3, 5, A
Presenter: Chrissy Mumford
Ama-ZINE: Ignite Self-Expression in Any Subject
Zines provide a fast, simple way to encourage and enliven writing. In this session, we will look at the history of zines in both counterculture and cultural change – considering links to modern self-publishing trends and ways that self-publication can increase engagement and ownership in writing. We will then create two or more sample zines using different methods that can easily be used in the classroom, with ideas provided for scaffolding and variation. Finally, we will review a list of ideas for using zines in different contexts and collaboratively generate even more possibilities.
Strands: 2, A, B, C
Presenter: Debbie Coppula
Zines provide a fast, simple way to encourage and enliven writing. In this session, we will look at the history of zines in both counterculture and cultural change – considering links to modern self-publishing trends and ways that self-publication can increase engagement and ownership in writing. We will then create two or more sample zines using different methods that can easily be used in the classroom, with ideas provided for scaffolding and variation. Finally, we will review a list of ideas for using zines in different contexts and collaboratively generate even more possibilities.
Strands: 2, A, B, C
Presenter: Debbie Coppula
Writing for Submission: The Scholastic Writing Awards
In this session, participants will be asked to think about the importance of having students write for audiences outside the classroom. Writing for submission and publication will be discussed. An overview of the Scholastic Writing Awards (who can enter, how to enter, regional and national recognition) will be presented and participants will be able to view examples of award-winning student writing.
Strands: 2, B, C
Presenter: Leslie Wessner
In this session, participants will be asked to think about the importance of having students write for audiences outside the classroom. Writing for submission and publication will be discussed. An overview of the Scholastic Writing Awards (who can enter, how to enter, regional and national recognition) will be presented and participants will be able to view examples of award-winning student writing.
Strands: 2, B, C
Presenter: Leslie Wessner
Teaching Idealism
On your most exhausting days as a teacher, you may have taken care of all your teaching responsibilities and felt like you have nothing left to give. You were standards-aligned in your lesson plan, good with your lesson plan pacing, attentive to questions, managing combative personalities, and ready for re-teaching. What if that still feels hollow? Find truth, beauty, and goodness in your day through this session.
Strands: 1, 5, 6, C
Presenter: Scott Tuffiash
On your most exhausting days as a teacher, you may have taken care of all your teaching responsibilities and felt like you have nothing left to give. You were standards-aligned in your lesson plan, good with your lesson plan pacing, attentive to questions, managing combative personalities, and ready for re-teaching. What if that still feels hollow? Find truth, beauty, and goodness in your day through this session.
Strands: 1, 5, 6, C
Presenter: Scott Tuffiash
Scaffolding Critical Literacy in the Secondary Classroom
In the current climate of book banning, teaching critical literacies are nearly impossible. This session will provide important tools to help educators teach critical literacies and scaffold these skills to ensure their accessibility to early high school learners.
Strands: 5, B, C
Presenter: Stefanie Guffey
In the current climate of book banning, teaching critical literacies are nearly impossible. This session will provide important tools to help educators teach critical literacies and scaffold these skills to ensure their accessibility to early high school learners.
Strands: 5, B, C
Presenter: Stefanie Guffey
Let's Play ELA
Let's Play ELA will allow attendees to explore games that they can potentially include and/or adapt in their classrooms. Everyone will have the chance to see a variety of physical games and even play a few! The games shown include some specifically made for educational use, such as SAT-prep flashcards and SAYWORD!. Other games are designed to contribute to writing, like Story Cubes. Beyond that, some games fit into the ELA classroom because they encourage students to think about words, such as Hink Pink and Hues and Cues. Let's play!
Strands: 1, 3, A, B, C
Presenter: Alayna Pesce
Let's Play ELA will allow attendees to explore games that they can potentially include and/or adapt in their classrooms. Everyone will have the chance to see a variety of physical games and even play a few! The games shown include some specifically made for educational use, such as SAT-prep flashcards and SAYWORD!. Other games are designed to contribute to writing, like Story Cubes. Beyond that, some games fit into the ELA classroom because they encourage students to think about words, such as Hink Pink and Hues and Cues. Let's play!
Strands: 1, 3, A, B, C
Presenter: Alayna Pesce
Flip! An Engaging Online Format That Enhances ELA Instruction and Promotes Classroom Discussions
Flip in a free online tool that promotes student engagement by presenting instruction in a format already familiar and engaging to most students: social media. Using Flip, students have the opportunity to record brief videos in response to a provided prompt, post their work on a shared platform, and comment/like classmates’ posts about the topic, all while engaging in the learning process. This session will highlight students using Flip to showcase their knowledge of point-of-view, enhance the essay revision process, and engage in discussion-based learning.
Strands: 3, 4, 5, A, B, C
Presenter: Caitlyn Chirdon
Flip in a free online tool that promotes student engagement by presenting instruction in a format already familiar and engaging to most students: social media. Using Flip, students have the opportunity to record brief videos in response to a provided prompt, post their work on a shared platform, and comment/like classmates’ posts about the topic, all while engaging in the learning process. This session will highlight students using Flip to showcase their knowledge of point-of-view, enhance the essay revision process, and engage in discussion-based learning.
Strands: 3, 4, 5, A, B, C
Presenter: Caitlyn Chirdon
AI: The Educator's Trojan Horse
AI is taking over the classroom. This session will provide educators with the "Trojan Horse" of tools for detecting AI in writing assignments, and AI tools that will assist students in learning.
Strands: 4, B, C
Presenter: Dana Metzgar
AI is taking over the classroom. This session will provide educators with the "Trojan Horse" of tools for detecting AI in writing assignments, and AI tools that will assist students in learning.
Strands: 4, B, C
Presenter: Dana Metzgar