Conference Sessions to Inform, Revitalize

You asked for them.  Based on responses from participants at last year's spring conference, this year's sessions deal with today's hot topics in education.

The following titles and descriptions cover a wide variety of interest areas.  Fill out the registration form on page 4 today so you do not miss out on any of these invigorating sessions.

March 22 1:40-2:40 p.m.

Implementing 6+1 Traits Across the K-12 Curriculum

The focus of the session will be on sharing strategies we are using to involve all K-12 teachers in learning to use the 6+1 writing traits.  Samples of student work for all levels will be shared, along with an analysis of the 6+ 1 writing traits' impact on required state testing.  Come prepared to share your experiences in the use of the traits in your school or classroom.  Presenter: Melanie Niehus, Todd County

Instructional Strategies That Work

The essence of teaching literacy is helping students to make connections.  By making these connections the reader and writer construct meaning.  Research has identified Instructional Strategies that help this process.  The presenter will share these brain compatible instructional strategies that help students make meaningful connections.  Presenter: Dorothy LeBeau, Todd County.

March 22 2:50-3:50 p.m.

How Teaching AP Helped Us Win Friends and Influence Enemies

A fledgling AP Vertical Team from Rapid City will present their experiences (have left the dog and pony somewhere along 1-90).  AP 10, 11,12 and college English teachers will share AP techniques and strategies that transfer to non-AP.  Presenters: Kathy Antonen, Connie Krueger, Karen Strain, Rapid City.

Introduction to Traits of an Effective Reader

Building on the 6+1 traits for writing the presentation will provide an overview of the traits of an effective reader.  In addition, strategies for classroom instruction will be presented.  The traits of an effective reader were developed at the Northwest Regional Education Lab and focus on teaching and assessing reading across the curriculum as well as in the language arts classroom.  Presenter: Jan Martin, Todd County.

March 22 4-5 p.m.

Lewis & Clark

Mary Edelen, Director of the SD State Historical Society, will speak about the Lewis and Clark Expedition with an emphasis on their time spent in South Dakota.  A video will be included.  Presenter: Mary Edelen.

March 23 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Taking Stories to Heart: The Power & Magic of Fiction

For the teacher, the crucial distinction between "telling" and "showing."  Participants will receive a copy of the author's novel from which he will demonstrate the power and magic of stories . . . "showing."  Presenter: Stanley Gordon West, Lesington-Marshall Publishing.

Teaching Research With or Without a Library

Step-by-step practical techniques for guiding freshmen (or seniors) through the research process and the writing even without a library.  Suggestions for evaluating and grading.  Presenter: MarIan V. Reed, St.Thomas More.

March 23 9:40-10:40 a.m.

Writing Across the Curriculum: Implications for Teachers of English

The presenter will briefly summarize the writing program at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, provide general implications for teaching "Writing Across the Curriculum,” and involve the audience in developing an action plan for individual teaching situations.  Presenter: Dr. Alfred Boysen, SDSM& T.

Making Literature and Writing Meaningful: Connecting Students Through Music and Art

The presenter will share two projects.  The first has students find song lyrics, put them on an overhead, and do an oral presentation relating it to the functions of mythology.  In the second, fifth graders make cutouts in the style of Matisse, write a story, and then a high school writing class will respond.  Presenter: Scott J. Howard, Spearfish.

March 2310:50-11:50 a.m.

Retiring Gracefully

A newly retired English teacher presents a philosophy for withdrawing from the profession gracefully.  Presenter: Josephme Richey, retired (Rapid City).

Practical Application of Brain Research in the Classroom

This presentation will address the latest brain research and the changes and applications teachers can make in their classroom.  Demonstration and modeling will be given.  Presenters: Linda Bordeaux, Shirley Gunhammer, Todd County.