2010 Breakout Sessions (subject to change)

Centers That Won't Drive You to the Funny Farm!

Jeannie  Partin
1st Grade Teacher Audience: ECE (EC-4)
Organization: Terrell ISD - Kennedy Elementary

Creating great centers doesn't have to be stressful or elaborate. In fact, the best centers use everyday items that are already found in the classroom! Come learn how to create centers that provide great learning experiences, and motivate students but do not drive the teacher to the funny farm!

Utilizing Brain Gym Exercises in the ESL and Special Education Classroom

Alicia  Morales
Graduate Student
Co-Presenters:Betty Moffatt, Special EducationTeacher, Greenville ISD Audience: ECE (EC-4), Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Bilingual/ESL, Special Education
Organization: Texas A&M University - Commerce

Participants will learn what Brain Gym is, how to use it in the classroom to facilitate learning, and how to become a certified Brain Gym presenter. Participants will receive an informational packet to encourage the use of the Brain Gym exercises in the classroom.

Games that Teach: Making Learning Fun

Linda  Hurst
Assistant Professor
Co-Presenters:Linda Lee, Free Lance Writer, Former Early Childhood Teacher; Reba Powers, Asst. Professor, McNeese State Univ. Audience: ECE (EC-4)
Organization: McNeese State University

Children learn through play. Thus, this session introduces the participant to many games that help young children learn various concepts, including phonics, numbers, following directions, etc. Each participant will leave this workshop with a handout describing how to make these games and how to introduce them effectively into the classroom.

Using Higher-Order Questioning to promote Comprehension of Narrative and Expository Text

Dr. Linda  St.Clair
Adjunct Instructor Audience: ECE (EC-4), Bilingual/ESL, Reading, Librarians
Organization: Texas A & M University-Commerce

This session will use children's literature and the read-aloud process to model the importance of developing questions by the reader before, while, and after reading. During this session, various strategies will be modeled which will get students involved in the reading process.

ERUPT Into Writing: Stirring Up Great Writers'; Getting Kids to Love to Write

Karen  Davis
Kindergarten Teacher
Co-Presenters:Latisha Miles Britton Audience: ECE (EC-4), Reading
Organization: Commerce ISD - Commerce Elementary

During this session, secrets on how to get and keep students motivated to write will be shared. Writer's Workshop, stages of writing, and prompts for writing will be shared. In addition, the importance of becoming a good writer will be discussed.

The 3 A's of Making Library and Classroom Connection

Amy  Eppler
Library Media Specialist
Co-Presenters:Angela Strickland Audience: ECE (EC-4)
Organization: Greenville ISD

Participants will learn about the 3As - Author studies, Activities and Awards - which will help the classroom teachers and librarians work together at their schools to provide students with the opportunity to create a literature rich environment. Here is your chance to learn about award winning books and incentive programs to promote reading.

Teaching Reading without a Book

Maribeth  Nottingham
Teaching Assistant
Co-Presenters:Pre-Service Teachers from Reading 370 Audience: Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Reading
Organization: Texas A & M University - Commerce

Reading is a skill that is used in our everyday lives. This presentation is a hands-on cooperative reading lesson using non-traditional genres such as: menus, recipes, business cards, city maps, food labels, even medicine bottles. This lesson not only encourages using reading skills and strategies, but also helps promote the use of higher level thinking skills.

Teaching Math, Science and Social Studies with Picture Books

Shirley  Duke
Author
Co-Presenters:Rebecca McKee, School Librarian, Allen ISD Audience: ECE (EC-4), Bilingual/ESL, Reading
Organization: Peachtree Publishers

This presentation will show how to use new and classic picture books and ways to incorporate them while teaching math, science, and social studies lessons. The session will provide lessons that promote collaboration with the school librarian. Handouts will be provided, and attendees will actively participate in some sample lessons.

Celebrate Literature through the Arts

Darla  Meek
Lecturer in Music Education Audience: ECE (EC-4)
Organization: TAMU-C

Participants will learn strategies for engaging children with reading and writing children's literature while using music, drama, movement, and art to enhance one's learning. Through various fun, hands-on activities, participants will explore how the arts motivates students and can even stretch, deepen, and speed-up learning.

Teaching Reading Strategies in the Library

Elaine  Sloan
Librarian Audience: ECE (EC-4), Reading
Organization: Garland ISD Beaver Technology Center for Math Science

Get hundreds of book titles selected by grade level and month for PreK-5 students without any duplication along with over 50 lesson plans that focus on reading strategies. See how to engage students' schema and show your students how to think when they read. See how to use the CPS chalkboard wireless tablet to enhance your students' thinking.

How the Reading Brain Works

Shelly  Robinson
Adjunct Professor/6th Grade Teacher
Co-Presenters:Diana Firley Bilingual/1st Grade, Amy Perez Bilingual/Kindergarten, Kimberly Yarbrough, Resource, Rockwall ISD Audience: ECE (EC-4), Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Reading, Administrators
Organization: Rockwall ISD

The brain has four processors that are engaged during the process of reading. The participants will become neurons and explore the brain during reading. Breakdowns in the process will be identified and interventions for these breakdowns will be addressed.

Claymation: Technology and Books

Shelly  Bivens
Teacher/Technology Coordinator
Co-Presenters:Jennifer Haynie, 2nd Grade Teacher, North Lamar ISD Audience: ECE (EC-4), Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Reading

Want to motivate your students? Come learn how to develop creative lessons while incorporating great literature and technology. We will share Claymation, student products, and many other ideas that you will LOVE! You will leave with tons of fascinating lessons and templates that are ready to use! Door prizes!

Telling Tales in School: A Project for Studying and Writing State and Local History with Elementary Students

Barbara  McClanahan
Assistant Professor of Elementary Education Audience: Mid-Level Grades (4-8)
Organization: Southeastern Oklahoma State University - MCC

Students tell tales from their families' experiences in and with local or state history. A personal family memoir becomes the launching pad for developing a curriculum for teaching state/local history using family interviews and writing memoirs in connection with a timeline.

Move it! Move it! Music, Movement and Make-Believe

Christine  Benson
Education Specialist Audience: ECE (EC-4)
Organization: Rosie M. Harris Head Start of Greater Dallas

During this session, attendees will not only participant in movement and music activities but will also learn about the important areas that are targeted by incorporating movement, music, and make-believe while teaching young children. These activities build a child's self-esteem, creative thinking, self-confidence, and coordination.

Meeting Your Expectations: Best Practices in Classroom Management

Dana  Harader
Assistant Professor
Co-Presenters:Harry Fullwood, Professor, Dept. of Psychology and Special Education Audience: All Level
Organization: Dept. of Psychology and Special Education, Texas A&M University-Commerce

This interactive session will allow participants to learn about classroom management strategies and techniques. Best practices in positive reinforcement and behavior modification will also be discussed.

This Is My Story: ESL students in their own voices

Amberly  Walker
ESL Instructional Support Teacher
Co-Presenters:Michael Alves, ESL Instructional Support Teacher, Garland ISD Audience: Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Bilingual/ESL
Organization: Garland ISD

"This is My Story" is an original podcast of ESL students at Sachse High School discussing educational experiences and how high school in the United States affects them. This podcasting experience has been used as a professional development tool for teachers and an avenue for ESL students to move toward self-advocacy.

Great Beginnings: A Successful First Day

Emma  McDonald
Author/ Educational Consultant Audience: Mid-Level Grades (4-8)
Organization: Inspiring Teachers

Was your first day of school a nightmare? Are you worried about how to start out the school year right? Come join us and learn strategies to make your first day a GREAT day! This workshop is highly participatory where attendees will learn icebreaker activities, teambuilding activities, and much more.

BAM! It;'s Time to Kick it Up a Notch!!!

Sara  McCoy
Assistant Principal
Co-Presenters:Kenda Willingham, Principal, Davis Elementary Audience: ECE (EC-4), Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Bilingual/ESL, Reading
Organization: Davis Elementary, Garland ISD

BAM stands for BEGINNING lessons that grab the students ATTENTION and keep them MOTIVATED to learn more about a concept/skill. This workshop will show teachers how to plan initial concept lessons that will keep students engaged and create an experience that puts learning into long-term memory.

Effective Assessment, Intervention, and Sheltered Instruction

Laura  Hume
Parent Volunteer, North Lamar ISD, former Life Skills/Homebound Teacher, Pittsburg ISD, Master's Student, C & I, Psychology, English
Co-Presenters:Betty Moffit, Life Skills Teacher, Greenville High School, Greenville ISD Audience: ECE (EC-4), Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Bilingual/ESL, Reading, Assitive Technology
Organization: Mount Olive Babtist Church, Hagnasport (Talco), Texas

This session will give attendees tips for use with sheltered content instruction. Many strategies including Universal Design for Instruction and Understanding by Design can be used with learning centers, while providing an instructional method to assess students with diverse learning skills and needs.

Children's Literature that Encourages Civic Engagement

J. Cynthia  McDermott
Chair of the Education Programs
Co-Presenters:Dr. June Harris, Texas Commerce Audience: ECE (EC-4), Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Reading
Organization: Antioch University Los Angeles

Fiction and non-fiction books about civic engagement will be shared to encourage young readers to take the challenge from President Obama to step up and become civically engaged. Lesson plans and a bibliography will be shared.

Criminal Justice System: What You Need to Know Dealing with Parents and Community

Millie  Nylan
GED teacher Audience: ECE (EC-4), Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Bilingual/ESL
Organization: Hutchins State Jail-Dallas

One in every 100 adults is incarcerated, but among black men ages 20-34, the rate is 1 in every 9. These facts affect teachers at every level, as their children are in your classroom and they often follow their father's example and go to prison. Come and find out what teachers can do to help prevent the next generation of inmates.

Let's Play Cards! Promoting Mathematical Thinking through Games

Lin  Moore
Associate Professor/Early Childhood Development & Education
Co-Presenters:Dr. Anne Jang, Teaching Assistant, TWU; Yi Man Lin, Doctoral Candidate, TWU Audience: ECE (EC-4)
Organization: Texas Woman's University

Teachers can incorporate card games into mathematics instruction. Rather than memorizing facts, children are encouraged to solve problems and think mathematically in a play-based setting where mistakes are expected. Participants will play cards with partners or in small groups, and then analyze methods to promote mathematical thinking and assess children's learning through card games.

The ART of Teaching Reading to Second Language Learners

Kristal  Hillis
Graduate Student Audience: Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Bilingual/ESL, Reading, SPED
Organization: Texas A&M University-Commerce

Learn how to build comprehension and vocabulary through art. Come learn how to motivate struggling readers, provide students with success, and reach those readers that have limited English proficiency through illustrations.

Walk It! Teachnology in Mathematics for Discovery Learning

Amy  Anderson
Doctoral Student / Math Specialist Audience: Grades (4-8), Secondary

Participants will have fun using motion detectors to explore the concept of distance vs. time by analyzing graphs. This activity is fun while engaging the participants in the lesson so teachers can build on reading and working with rates and y-intercept.

The Interview and Beyond

Ursula  Rakow
Science Teacher
Co-Presenters:Jennifer Givens Audience: Mid-Level Grades (4-8)
Organization: Rockwall ISD

Are you concerned about your job interview? Would you like to have some helpful hints and samples questions? What about after the interview? Come join us for some suggestions. When you get the position,we have some pointers to get you started.

Liven up Literacy with a School-Wide Writing and Book Publishing Project

Dr. Kathy E.  Stephens
Assistant Professor of Reading and Teacher Education
Co-Presenters:Dr. Julie K. Teel, Associate Professor, LeTourneau University Audience: ECE (EC-4), Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Reading, Writing and Classroom Publishing
Organization: LeTourneau University

This session will cover a successful school-wide writing initiative (preschool through eighth grade) and exhibit students written and illustrated books bound by Student Treasures. Additionally, this project involved strategies for connecting reading, writing, and integration of curriculum, along with interaction between university faculty, preservice students, and school-children.

Differentiated Reading Curriculum

Cris  Hughes
Teacher
Co-Presenters:Misty Teer, Teacher, Sulphur Springs ISD Audience: ECE (EC-4), Mid-Level Grades (4-8)
Organization: Sulphur Springs ISD

Come find out about successful ways to differentiate your reading curriculum through guided reading and leveled books. Attendees will also learn about several strategies, including the Daily 5 and the CAFÉ strategies to help make a difference in each student's learning and how they are used to differentiate instruction for various students.

Middle School Literacy Strategies for ESL Learners

Jeanne  Sutton
6th Grade Reading Teacher Audience: Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Reading
Organization: Kaufman Independent School District

Using discussions and examples, this session will address strategies to enhance the literacy acquisition of English language learners in the Middle School grades. These strategies will focus on specific literacy elements including reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing and visual representation that enhance life long reading.

Animal Assisted Reading

Karen  Linstrum
Assistant Professor Audience: ECE (EC-4), Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Reading
Organization: Texas A&M University-Texarkana

Introduction to the use of animals in addressing educational and reading goals for students in public schools. The history of animal assisted activities,and various non-profit organizations will be discussed. Empirical research results confirming the postive benefits of using animals with educational goals will also be discussed.

Guided Reading Boot Camp!

Michelle  Anthony
3rd Grade Teacher
Co-Presenters:Merrily McInnis Audience: ECE (EC-4), Reading
Organization: Borchardt Elementary

Come exercise your minds and strengthen your guided reading groups! Bulk up those wimpy literacy centers with activities that strengthen phonemic awareness, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. As your "drill sergeants," we offer a boot camp of books beyond the basics. Trim the fat from that every day routine. Shape new and better guided reading practices that will impact the lives of your students for a lifetime.

Metacognitive Strategies for Reading to Learn: Developing Independent Readers of Non-Fiction Text

Barbara  Khirallah
Instructor, Department of Education
Co-Presenters:Dr. Melissa Caraway, Assistant Professor, Department of Education, University of Dallas Audience: ECE (EC-4), Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Bilingual/ESL, Reading
Organization: University of Dallas

Research tells us that good readers think as they read. Join us in thinking about how to help students use effective thinking strategies to better understand what they read. Participate in a metacognitive strategy lesson and create one of your own.

Instructing At-Risk Students in Content Area Learning

Katharine  Ashby
Social Studies and Science Educator, Graduate Student
Co-Presenters:Wendy Bozarth, M.S., Special Education Instructor, North Lamar I.S.D. Audience: ECE (EC-4), Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Bilingual/ESL
Organization: Bailey Intermediate School in North Lamar Independent School District and Texas A&M University at Commerce

This presentation will provide aspiring and practicing educators with a "toolbox" of strategies for instructing content-area learning to at-risk students. These strategies will not only be helpful to students who are at higher risk, but to any student in the classroom.

Talk and Sing, Laugh and Play: Hands-on Activities that Foster Literacy and Honor Diversity in Preschool Classrooms

Carol  Hagen
Director, Child Development Laboratory, UNT Faculty
Co-Presenters:Travis J. Davis, In Hong Kim, Teachers, Child Development Laboratory, University of NorthTexas Audience: ECE (EC-4), Bilingual/ESL
Organization: University of North Texas

Preschool children learn best when they participate in literacy experiences that engage all of their senses, use hands-on materials, and foster social interactions. A variety of games, songs, rhymes, and written language experiences that honor children's differing abilities will be demonstrated, and participant's will be invited to share their ideas.

Windows and Mirrors: Using Children's Literature to Portray Persons with Disabilities

Jauquita  Hargus
Professor of Education
Co-Presenters:Judy Sander, Professor of Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education; Texas A&M University-Texarkana Audience: ECE (EC-4), Mid-Level Grades (4-8), Reading, Disabilities/Bibliotherapy
Organization: Texas A&M University-Texarkana

The session will focus on children's literature to serve as mirrors and windows to view character disabilities. Vicariously students can view characters with disabilities to gain awareness, understanding, and acceptance of individuals with various disabilities. Children with disabilities can reflect on appropriate characterizations to learn skills, about themselves, and others.

Teachin' Cheap

Tanya  Mattingly
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Co-Presenters:Denice Meredith, Librarian Aide, Martins Mill Elementary Audience: ECE (EC-4)
Organization: Martins Mill Elementary

Coordinating paper bags and plates with all subjects. We will show how to teach for cheap and without worksheets. We want everyone to think "outside the box". We will have examples, treats, and giveaways.

Engaging Students in the Math class.

Hortencia  Espinoza
Student & Paraprofessional Audience: Mid-Level Grades (4-8)

Math is a difficult subject and engaging and keeping students focused on math is hard. Come and learn some fun ideas that include hands-on activities and other ideas that will keep your students wanting more.

Differentiation and Student Choice

Heather  Garcia
3rd Grade Teacher
Co-Presenters:Sheri Cody, Teacher, Barton Elementary Audience: ECE (EC-4), Bilingual/ESL, Reading, Math
Organization: Garner Elementary

How can one teacher meet the needs of students with learning disabilities, gifted and talented students and English Language Learners in the same class? Differentiating curriculum to meet each child's needs can be easy if you allow students to make choices about their learning.

Bon Voyage: Investigations through Virtual Field Trips

Luisa  Frias
Doctoral Student Audience: ECE (EC-4), Mid-Level Grades (4-8), on, Bilingual/ESL
Organization: TAMU-Commerce

This interactive seminar is a constructivist research-based approach that hones in on today's technology (namely the internet) to increase student achievement through the creation of virtual field trips. Seminar participants will learn actual applications they can take back to their classrooms immediately with minimal training and maximum impact.

Integration of Personal History and Literacy Through Story Quilts

Kim  Barnes
Head of Early Childhood Audience: ECE (EC-4)
Organization: Greenhill School

Oral language is the first step toward literacy for young children. When a child can recognize and understand his/her personal story, then he/she may begin to understand the stories of others. Our journey of personal stories through the use of a grade-level paper quilt allows both children and adults to celebrate one another's stories.

Take a Look at the Jottie Book

Reba  Powers
Assistant Professor of Education Audience: ECE (EC-4), Bilingual/ESL, Reading
Organization: McNeese State University

This presentation describes the multi-level and cross-curricular uses of the Jottie Book. Each participant will make a Jottie Book and take from this session an understanding of how teachers, mentors, and families can augment the curriculum with this many-faceted tool. Philosophical basis and state standards will be emphasized.