4/31 My finale post of the CCIRA Conference

It's Day Four of the Slice of Life Challenge at Two Writing Teachers!  

        Need a little extra charge. Here's a quote I like about writing during this month: The truth of the matter is there is plenty of time to accomplish the things that need done. H. Jackson Brown, Jr. said, “Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.”

          I posted about the Colorado Chapter of The International Reading Association (The CCIRA) here and here, and this wraps it up, more goodness even on the final day and a half! These special sessions are filled with reading, which of course you know, writers read!

How could anyone turn down a luncheon with the Fonz from Happy Days? I've seen Henry Winkler's name appear more than once in the education feeds and wondered why, but I admit I never pursued finding out. Now I know. Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver (the co-founder of the SCBWI, with her life-long friend Steve Mooser, and the organization's Executive Director) have co-written two book series which are written with struggling readers in mind. You'll need to look the names up to discover more about these series. 








Henry spoke of his constant struggles in school, never succeeding, reading poorly, and his mission today is to help those children who have reading disabilities. The books are the Ghost Buddy series and the Hank Zipzer series, the World's Greatest Underachiever. Both Lin and Henry entertained, spoke about teachers who inspire, and pushed hard for all of us to find books for every kid!

        I've had the pleasure of meeting Donalyn Miller three times now, but this is the first time I had the chance to be in one of her presentations. Wow, it was terrific. I filled more than a few pages with notes. Here are a few tasty takeaways I hope you like. And then you should read one of her books, or both if you're lucky: The Book Whisperer, and Reading In The Wild.  
      *One bulletin board shares a book list where every book that is shared in class is listed. She, or a student, does quickie book commercials, never missing a day doing at least one.
      *Always, always her students are making book resolutions, at the beginning of the year, after breaks, any time there has been a lull, and it's time to get back to it! 
      *A main goal is to build capacity, and that means both teachers and kids knowing authors and titles. Self-selecting successfully must be taught. 
           What do Wild Readers do?
Always have a book, in the car, at the dentist, etc.
Have the capacity for choice and favorite authors.
#1 reason they choose is a friend's recommendation.
Spend time reading.
Plan for breaks, are never without a book on vacation either.
Teachers give time to talk about books. 

          After all the 'other' books, Sharon Draper told  that things took off when she wrote Out of My Mind. She also said often to please consider that her books are not books just for African-Americans, but books for kids! I noticed such energy and enthusiasm for her writing, her books. She would love to visit via Skype with classrooms, mentioned Kate Messner's author Skype list.
    Former teacher, she shared that a student said to her one time, "Why don't you write like you make us do?" He actually gave her a contest entry blank; she wrote a book and won! Her first book, Tears of A Tiger, is nearing its twentieth anniversary. She spoke so avidly about her books, and I've only read a couple, that I feel the need to read more. She too, like those above, was inspiring.  And she's written for several ages, fourth grade and up.

       I had a fabulous time at this conference, so good that it took me three posts to share, and each time, it made me excited all over again. I hope you are able to go to at least a day of sessions with wonderful presenters this year. It is renewing, motivating, and of course, educational!