USF conference to help teachers "grow" great readers
Teachers
are invited to "Navigating the Literacy Highway",
the University of St. Francis annual reading conference
on June 17. The conference is designed to provide
teachers with strategies, activities and ideas
necessary to "guide students along the literacy
highway."
 |
|
Dr.
Maria Walther
|
The daylong conference begins at 8:30 a.m. in the university’s Moser Performing Arts Center. Continuing education credits are available. Registration fee is $50. Lunch is provided. For information, call (815) 740-1441.
"A Teacher’s Travel Bag of Reading and Writing Strategies" will be discussed by keynote speaker Dr. Maria Walther. Walther is the co-author of Teaching Reading: A Balanced Approach for Today’s Classrooms. Walther will offer powerful and practical strategies necessary to guide students along the literacy highway. Walther will share her "travel bag bursting with ideas" for teachers to take into the new school year.
Walther has taught first grade for 18 years, and holds a doctorate from Northern Illinois University. She recently achieved National Board Certification.
Conference breakout sessions include the following:
- "Before You Start Your Engines – You Need a Content Area Literacy Fill-Up (5-8)" by Cathy Askeland of Plainfield School District 202
- "Cruisin’ Into Character Education Literacy (K-8) Picture Books: Maps to Content Area Reading" by Dr. Joyce Klenaitis of Frankfort District 157-C
- Navigate Your Way Through Reading: Reading From Picture Books to Novels (6-8)" by Jean Ksziak of Plainfield District 202
- The Questioning and Inferring Connection (K-5)" by Dr. Donna Metlica of the University of St. Francis
- "Take a Guided Tour on the Highway of Reading (K-3)" by Cheri Packard of Joliet District 86.
- "’Fun’damentals of Phonemic Awareness (K-3)" by Doreen Pomykala and Marianne Cucci of New Lenox District 122.
- "Literacy, Learning and Your School’s Library Audience (K-5)" by Laura Talone of Frankfort District 157-C.
- "Improving Writing in the Intermediate Grades: Motivating and Encouraging Young Writers (4-5)" by Robin Tkach and Connie Hermes of Wilmington District 209U.
- "Fueling Young Writers: Using Picture Books to Teach Good Writing Traits (K-2)" by Dr. Maria Walther of Indian Prairie District 204.
Anderson’s Bookstore, known for its wide selection of children’s literature, will be at the conference.
The "Navigating the Literacy Highway" conference is offered by the university’s Regional Education Academy for Leadership (REAL). Committed to developing dynamic partnerships within the educational community, REAL offers conferences and seminars in the areas of character education, reading, math and science. REAL services include master’s degree cohorts, new teacher induction programs, professional development in-service, special approval/certification programs, and educational conferences.
The University of St. Francis, at 500 Wilcox St., serves 4,300 students nationwide. The university’s College of Education offers the undergraduate programs in elementary and special education as well as secondary education certification in the areas of biology, English, history and mathematics. The university also offers the master of science in Education. The master of Education with Certification is offered for those who already have a bachelor’s degree and are interested in earning a teaching certificate and master’s degree at the same time.