Healing from trauma can be scary, messy, and complicated. Fortunately, the power of story can help. Sharing stories of hope and resilience are one of many pathways toward healing. This session will cover some of the basics regarding trauma, including a review of the physiological responses (fight, flight, freeze). The session will also include discussion about how the vicarious experiences of fictional characters help a reader know they are not alone, introduce new coping mechanisms, and provide a safe place to approach traumatic experiences. The presenter knows that all books are not created equal. Not only will she explain how some “bibliotherapy” books sometimes miss the mark, but she will introduce YA novels that are much more effective.
Blog Archives
Understanding the Cycle of Liberation Through Literacy, Writing, and Inquiry
Harro’s (2008) Cycle of Liberation offers a framework for planning interdisciplinary units combining literacy, writing, and social studies for transformational change. Anchored in historical or contemporary social movements, activities presented will guide students in exploring causes relevant to their lives. Participants will learn the relevance of the framework for organizing civic-minded interdisciplinary units to engage students.
Pre-Service Teachers: Nurturing Novel Connections for Democratic Teaching and Learning
How can the literature we select nurture connection and foster democratic practices? For this session, a panel of two professors and three students will discuss literature selection, community connections, and the efforts to build democratic communities.
Improve Vocabulary with Improv and Dialogue
Do you want your students to grow in their speaking abilities? What about writing and vocabulary usage? Then learn how to infuse improvisation strategies and one-act playwriting to improve speaking, meaningful tier 2 vocabulary speaking and writing usage, engagement, and creativity in our classrooms. Session attendees should bring their device to this session.
The CEIT Paradigm for Nonfiction Writing
In non-fiction writing, there are only four basic “moves” a writer can make. An acronym to help student writers remember them is CEIT, for claim, explain, illustrate, and tie-back. Teaching students the CEIT method for writing non-fiction texts gives students the ability to construct coherent and well-supported paragraphs and essays. Once students become adept with the CEIT paradigm, they can choose which features to use and which to leave out. How much explanation is needed? How many examples are necessary? Does each illustration need to be analyzed or is the connection between the evidence and the claim obvious enough? These are questions more adept writers can answer once they become proficient and confident writers by following the CEIT “moves.” This presentation will thoroughly explain the CEIT paradigm and use student examples to show how it applies to paragraph construction and to both simpler and more complex essays.
Nurturing Novel Personal Connections
Is the field of education draining you mentally, emotionally, or even physically? Effective education in the 2020s requires lots of human interaction despite the oftentimes stifling administrative rules, never-ending paperwork, ever-evolving technology, and looming changes being brought by AI. This breakout session is led by two seasoned teachers, Jen Gouin and John Barrett, who will share personal stories of connection and community building they have experienced with their colleagues and who will discuss the ways personal connections made at school always positively impact student learning and teacher survival.
Motivation, Meaning, and Mirrors: Connecting Novels to Action Research
How can we spark students’ motivation and foster deep engagement that supports student agency? This session explores the power of inclusive, student-centered practices that honor student identities and experiences. Participants will explore dynamic strategies that connect novel studies to student-led action research that empowers students as readers, researchers, and change-makers and elevates student agency to promote meaningful connections and creates authentic opportunities for discussion and reflection.
Getting Students INTO Analysis
Teaching the previously dreaded analysis skill becomes an anticipated opportunity for discovery and reasoned defense with a new approach. Get students into analytical reading and writing using a series of engaging warm-up activities that will spark interest, inspire investigation, and boost confidence. No more dry and boring book talks! Guide students through the fields of art and music first. Transition to crime scene analysis to make clue searching fun again. Involve AI if you dare. When students finally land in the world of text, they will know how to argue for their interpretation with conviction and solid evidence. Come learn new ways to approach analysis!
Pages of Joy, Stories of Pride: A Novel Approach to Centering Queer Literature
When representation is lacking, children can be made to feel invisible, unimportant, or even unworthy. Representation that is filled with stereotypes and misconceptions can perpetuate biases, divisiveness, and hate. This presentation intends to do the opposite, celebrating books that center LGBTQ+ characters with joy and love. We will feature books for all ages—board and picture books, middle grade, YA, and books for grown-ups.
Getting Creative with Nonfiction
Nonfiction isn’t just a five-paragraph essay, but when was the last time you’ve flexed your own creative muscles when it comes to writing true stories? This workshop blends the best of both learning about the fantastic world of nonfiction and trying your own hand at writing a short work of nonfiction. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of the different forms of nonfiction, appreciation and inspiration for the ways information can be presented, and recommendations for some of the best young adult nonfiction available today. Sharing in this workshop is welcome, though it will not be required.