by Jen Donovan
The 2012 IRA Annual Convention has an exciting line-up for this year’s speaker sessions. From authors to educators, these guest speakers include some of the most inspiring voices in the field of literacy today. Sessions will feature innovative new teaching strategies and address critical literacy issues in the classroom. Join these speakers in the 2012 celebration of literacy as they explore some of the most current and important issues in literacy education.
Monday, April 30
Literacy education expert Ellin Keene kicks off the speaker sessions with “Talk About Understanding: Enhancing Students’ Understanding through Discourse.” The dynamic Mary Bigler will also be speaking on Monday, encouraging enthusiasm in the classroom with “Teaching Reading with Pizzazz!”
Tuesday, May 1
The series continues with award-winning professor of reading Peter Afflerbach and his session about “How and Why Formative Assessment Fosters Students’ Reading Development.” Valerie Ellery, international reading consultant and award-winning author, will follow with her ideas on “Creating Strategic, Motivated, and Engaged Readers.” Distinguished literacy educator Dick Allington will also be featured on Tuesday with his session on “Why Summers Matter: Closing the Achievement Gap.” Beverly Tyner, best-selling author and literacy consultant, will wrap up this day of speakers with “The Literacy Jigsaw: Addressing the Common Core Standards.”
Wednesday, May 2
The final day of the IRA speaker sessions includes Debbie Diller, a literacy education expert, with “Use What You've Got: Creating Literacy Work Stations That Meet the Needs of All Readers with Rigor and Relevance.” Author and International reading consultant Janet Allen will conclude the sessions with her thoughts on “What Should Be Common in the Common Core State Standards?”
Educators, literacy consultants, and convention-goers alike should not miss this chance to be inspired by some of the best in the business. Each speaker offers something different and valuable to take away from their session, ensuring that every listener will leave the convention with new insight on facing the challenges of teaching literacy today.
To register for the IRA 57th Annual Convention in Chicago, visit www.iraconvention.org.
Jen Donovan is the strategic communications intern at the International Reading Association.