Sessions
Dr. Fredeisha Darrington, Educator and Educational Consultant
"Literacy, Learning & Equity: Incorporating Culturally Sustaining Practices Across Content Areas" is an interactive session for all education professionals (e.g., administrators, teachers, instructional/reading coaches, etc.) that presents a case for the importance of using culturally sustaining practices in literacy instruction. The presenter will share strategies, resources, research, and tools for teaching and learning that can promote and support literacy, student equity, and cultural inclusivity.
keywords: culturally sustaining pedagogy, literacy strategies, implicit bias, cultural competence, reflexive practice
Thomas Spencer, Public Affairs Research Counsel Of Alabama"
"Reality Check": Through law, policy and investment, Alabama is placing an unprecedented emphasis on raising the state’s level of educational attainment. The state has recognized that the cornerstone of economic competitiveness is providing a quality education for all Alabamians, which starts with literacy. PARCA’s research consistently finds a close correlation between educational achievement and measures of employment, income, health, and personal safety. The research also shows stubborn gaps in academic achievement between communities, gaps that must be acknowledged and addressed if progress is to be made.
Alabama Reading Initiative
"What’s the Scoop with the Alabama Literacy Act?"
In this session, participants will develop an initial understanding of the Alabama Literacy Act and its impact on classroom instruction, students’ growth and achievement, and teachers’ professional development. Participants will also increase their understanding of instructional strategies aligned to the Science of Reading, and how they relate to the Alabama Literacy Act.
Presented by:
Becky Edwards and Derya Twyman
Alabama Reading Initiative Regional Literacy Leadership Specialist
Yvette Manns, Author and Educational Consultant
"More than just the ABC's: Simple Tips to Prepare Your Child for Reading Success", provides participants with evidence-based methods to prepare their child for reading success. We will explore learning that is fun and engaging to help to build children’s brains for literacy. We will look at the skills that children really need to be successful in reading, activities that can be done in the home environment and ways that caretakers can engage their child with books.
Participants will leave with tangible methods to help children develop oral language, advanced vocabulary, listening comprehension, print knowledge and phonological awareness. We will also practice activities to help children acquire skills that are the foundation of reading success. Using engaging stories, regular everyday items, and word play, participants will walk away with the tools to teach their child the very same day.
Session Topics: Phonological Awareness, Print Knowledge, Oral Language, Vocabulary, Level 1 Phonics.
Dr. Jameka Thomas, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Bessemer City Schools
"Exploring Identity Through a Literacy Framework" will explore the process of creating a literary framework in which students from grades 4th - 12th grade analyze texts using self-identifying essential questions. Attendees will also hear and see project-based learning pieces from students and explore next steps of creating a similar framework in their own learning environment.