Preconference Institutes are a popular ramp-up to the ILA 2016 Conference. This year, we’ll spotlight each of the 15 all-day presentations designed to take a close look into the hottest topics in literacy (other installments will be linked at the bottom of this post). This week, we look at Discovering & Nurturing Skills of All Learners.
Institute 08: Accelerating and Extending Literacy for Diverse Students: DISCOVER the Strengths of All Learners
Explore the needs and strengths of struggling readers who are culturally and linguistically diverse students in this Preconference Institute. Learn about DISCOVER, a performance assessment based on Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, and participate in hands-on breakout sessions on differentiation, digital literacy, and building strong home–school partnerships.
This Preconference Institute will use a variety of delivery methods: a series of keynote addresses, interactive breakout sessions, and a panel discussion. Participants will explore topics of interest to their work and learn more about the use of culturally responsive teaching to differentiate, accelerate, and extend the literacy of culturally and linguistically diverse students; examine the role of motivation in differentiating literacy instruction and the importance of building a strong home–school interface with meaningful parent involvement with diverse learners; and examine the role of digital technology in building content knowledge and in developing and nurturing talent and potential in diverse learners.
Institute 10: Learning Differences: The What, When, and How of Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and Executive Functioning Disorders
Delve into dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and difficulties with executive functioning through a learning disability simulation and expert-hosted roundtable discussions in this Preconference Institute. Discover research-based interventions for students who struggle with learning disabilities, and get strategies to help students manage their learning differences.
Presenters from the Dyslexia Training Institute will begin with the Dyslexia for a Day simulation. Additional simulations will relate to reading/decoding, writing, and processing speed. Each simulation will last 5–10 minutes, and there will be a debriefing process with participant reactions as well as practical information about dyslexia.
Presenters will share information about the neural signature of dyslexia and signs and symptoms of dyslexia in addition to discussing and investigating dyslexia screening tools. Further, appropriate research-based intervention for students with dyslexia will be presented through multimedia presentations, instructional videos, and opportunities to practice new strategies.
Preconference Institutes are an additional cost to conference registration and run simultaneously Friday, July 8. Find out more about the sessions here before they’re sold out.
The ILA 2016 Conference & Exhibits will be July 9–11 in Boston, MA, with more than 6,000 attendees eager to cultivate new teaching practices. With over 300 sessions, including several new additions to the schedule, and the popular Preconference Institutes, the weekend is sure to be a memorable one. Register today for the conference to take advantage of special Early Bird pricing.