SoMLA 2022 Virtual Conference has ended

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SoMLA 2022 Virtual Conference

Welcome to the 2022 State of Maryland Literacy Association Conference. This is Maryland’s 50th annual conference! The three day event is packed with exciting opportunities for professional development, networking, and examining exemplary materials for classroom use. This conference is intended for a wide-range of audiences including classroom teachers, reading specialists, special educators, curriculum specialists, administrators, and other educators. There is a variety of high caliber speakers, researchers, practitioners, publishers, and authors that are presenting throughout the conference, as well as the pre-conference "Session Saturday" presentations. You may apply for CPD credit through MDSE by filling out this form. To qualify, you must have attended 15 hours total. This includes time you spent engaged in "Session Saturday" presentations. Please fill out all of the information. Incomplete requests will not be filled. Requests will be cross referenced with attendance from "Session Saturday" presentations and on the weekend of March 31-April 2nd 2022. If you participated for the required hours, you will receive a credit. Please be patient, you will receive your form.

If you have not yet registered, do so today by going to Eventbright.

For general questions, contact the Conference Coordinator, Gayle Glick at ggayle56@aol.com.

8:00pm EDT

Engaging Hearts and Minds Through Purposeful Talk

Engagement is foundational to all learning. It’s a wondrous blend of curiosity, attention, optimism, and a compelling need to understand, to do, to create, to become. We all delight in those moments when students are fully engaged – but what makes this possible, and how do we offer students opportunity to fully wade into the potential? Explore the depth of engaged learning that becomes possible when we rethink the role of time, space and compelling ideas in classrooms where learning floats a sea of talk.

Speakers

Maria Nichols

Author, Consultant, Featured Speaker

Maria’s work as an educational leader includes 33 years with the San Diego Unified School District, where she served as a Demonstration Teacher, Literacy Coach, and eventually as the Director of School Innovation. Her passion for transformational approaches to teaching and learning... Read More →

Thursday March 31, 2022 8:00pm - 8:50pm EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

6:00pm EDT

Tribute to Judi Hunter

Spend 30 minutes as we remember, reflect ,and rejoice in the many ways Judi Hunter used her skills and knowledge to promote literacy achievement of Black children. Judi’s primary mission was to inform teachers, students, parents, and caregivers of books that showcase diverse children as the main character. As Judi was known to say, ALL CHILDREN NEED TO SEE THEMSELVES AND SEE OTHERS IN THEIR BOOKS (Mirrors and Windows). You will have the opportunity to participate and listen to literacy colleague share their connection with Judi and her commitment to her vision for improving reading performance of African American boys.

Speakers

Fran Clay

Consultant, Featured Speaker

Sandy Keaton

SoMLA Conference Chair, SoMLA

this is a sample practice

Friday April 1, 2022 6:00pm - 6:25pm EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

6:30pm EDT

Between and Beyond the Lines: Our Lives as Readers and Writers

Author couple Chris Barton (Whoosh!) and Jennifer Ziegler (Worser) share what they've learned as writers of books for young readers, as lifelong readers themselves, and as members of many literary communities.

Speakers

Chris Barton

Author, Featured Speaker

Chris Barton (www.chrisbarton.info) is the author of picture books including bestseller Shark vs. Train, Fire Truck vs. Dragon, Sibert Honor-winning The Day-Glo Brothers, and Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions, which has been included on 21 state reading lists. His new books in 2021 and 2022... Read More →

Jennifer Ziegler

Featured Speaker/Author, Featured Speaker

Jennifer Ziegler (www.jennifer ziegler.com) is the author of several novels for young and young-at-heart readers, including Worser, Revenge of the Flower Girls, and How Not to Be Popular. She also serves as faculty co-chair of Vermont College of Fine Arts’ MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults. A native Texan... Read More →

Friday April 1, 2022 6:30pm - 7:20pm EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

7:30pm EDT

Empowering Kids and Conversations Through Podcasts

Matthew Winner joins us from A Kids Company About (akidsco.com) where, in his role as Head of Audio, he leads the company in creating a podcast network dedicated to helping kids and their grownups have honest conversations around challenging, empowering, and important topics. Today, Matthew shares with us how podcasts can be a safe place to explore difficult topics and a place where all children can find themselves and their interests. Too often these topics are not discussed in the classroom or in depth, but rather relegated to the guidance counselor or the home because teachers (and grownups) don't feel equipped with the right tools to begin these conversations. But kids are ready and kids are listening. There's no better time to start than now.

Speakers

Matthew Winner

Head of Audio, Featured Speaker

Matthew Winner is the Head of Podcasts at A Kids Book About where he leads the company in creating a podcast network dedicated to helping kids and their grownups have honest conversations by making podcasts about challenging, empowering, and important topics hosted by individuals... Read More →

Friday April 1, 2022 7:30pm - 8:20pm EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

8:30pm EDT

Play Brain Yoga! created by Jason Reynolds

Join emcee Matthew Winner this evening by playing a game of Brain Yoga, created by Jason Reynolds. What a fun way to end Friday night at the conference! Prizes will be given for each round played. (books by Jason Reynolds!)

Speakers

Matthew Winner

Head of Audio, Featured Speaker

Matthew Winner is the Head of Podcasts at A Kids Book About where he leads the company in creating a podcast network dedicated to helping kids and their grownups have honest conversations by making podcasts about challenging, empowering, and important topics hosted by individuals... Read More →

Friday April 1, 2022 8:30pm - 9:00pm EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

8:00am EDT

Beyond the Mask: An Exploration of Identity in Schools and Our World

In this session, participants will explore how to use literature as a tool for the cultivation of a democratic society. Together, we will explore the way identity acts as a lens for reading and living. Participants will leave with a clear process for examining how our personal identity shapes the ways we engage students and their families.

Speakers

Chad Everett

Featured Speaker

Chad was born in Memphis, Tennessee, moved to Mississippi at age five, and has lived in The Magnolia State ever since. He likes to spend as much time as possible on a lake with a fishing pole in his hand or speeding around a golf course. He is a nonfiction fan and true crime junkie.He... Read More →

Saturday April 2, 2022 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

8:00am EDT

Marie Kondo Your Classroom Library

For the past decade, much attention has been given to the acquistion of relevant and culturally responsive classroom library materials. These materials can't shine, however, if they are buried under outdated covers and torn magazines. Kristin, a former school librarian who has purged dozens of classroom libraries, will walk you through her methods for deciding what to keep, what to store, what to donate, and what to TRASH!

Session slides
Guide
Hard to Discard Jamboard

Speakers

Kristin Patrick

Blended Learning Coach, Noblesville Schools

I build outcomes-based, culturally-responsive, beautiful interactive training modules that inspire and teach learners.

Saturday April 2, 2022 8:00am - 8:50am EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

Area Lit

10:00am EDT

Leveraging literacy to help students explore their social and emotional selves

Today, every student needs social and emotional support to comprehend the world around them. As educators, we can help students build social emotional competencies and identify their role as citizens of that world through core literacy skills including speaking, listening, collaboration and comprehension. Building upon strategies shared in the keynote, you’ll learn to leverage simple tools that can be used in class and virtually to amplify the human experience. This jam-packed session will send you off with ready-to-implement lessons and show you how to build a community rooted in compassion and care for the hearts and minds of all learners.

Speakers

Kirk Ziemke

Big Shoulders Foundation, Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

Kristin Ziemke

International Expert in Literacy, Inquiry and Technology, Ziemke Consulting, LLC

Saturday April 2, 2022 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

10:00am EDT

Thank You for Your Concern: Handling Materials Challenges

This session is about what to do when a student's family member questions the presence of an item in your classroom or school library collection. The big goal is for you to leave feeling more confident having these hard conversations. We will focus on specific action steps.

Session slides
Guide
Wakelet

Speakers

Kristin Patrick

Blended Learning Coach, Noblesville Schools

I build outcomes-based, culturally-responsive, beautiful interactive training modules that inspire and teach learners.

Saturday April 2, 2022 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

11:00am EDT

Every Kid a Writer: Strategies That Get Everyone Writing

In this session, based on Kelly’s latest book, we’ll explore simple and streamlined strategies that can be used to get everyone in the classroom writing with energy and enthusiasm. You’ll learn practical tips and teaching moves to help students find their voice, establish a clear purpose for writing, read with the eyes of a writer and harness the power of the pen!

Speakers

Kelly Boswell

Author/Educational Consulant/Instructor, MSU

Kelly Boswell has many years of experience as a classroom teacher, staff developer, literacy coach, and district literacy specialist. She is the author of Every Kid a Writer (Heinemann, 2020), Write This Way From the Start (Maupin House, 2018) and Write This Way (Maupin House, 2016... Read More →

Saturday April 2, 2022 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

11:00am EDT

When the World Hands you a Curriculum

How do we teach students to comprehend the news, while holding what they know about their own identities and their classmates in mind? In what ways does the news affect us? In this session, we will engage in conversations about what to do when current events affect our classroom and co-create an understanding of how to be proactive with norms for discussions that can arise at any time. We will discuss how being candid with students about our own biases and multiple identities will help them to consider the ways their own experiences and biases affect our social comprehension of people, texts and the world. And together, we will practice listening with love.
Come prepared to engage in a thoughtful examination of identity and what’s in your news (a phrase coined by one of Sara’s former students) through writing, reading, and discussion.

Speakers

Sara Ahmed

Heinemann, Catherine Cook School, Keynote and Featured Speaker

Sara K. Ahmed currently serves as the Director of Curriculum Integration and 5th-grade advisor at Catherine Cook School in Chicago. She has taught and coached in city, suburban, public, independent, and international schools, where her classrooms were designed to help students consider... Read More →

Saturday April 2, 2022 11:00am - 11:50am EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

12:00pm EDT

A More Inclusive Classroom: diverse voices visible and valued on your bookshelves

As educators and as citizens of the world, we are called to challenge systemic inequities and structures upholding racist practices. Join veteran teacher Matthew C. Winner in an exploration of how to make diverse voices visible and valued on your bookshelves, your instructional practices, and within your school culture through anti-bias anti-racist practices. No experience or prior knowledge needed. Just a willingness to acknowledge what you don't know, what you need to unlearn, and that you're ready to take the first step (and the one after that).

Speakers

Matthew Winner

Head of Audio, Featured Speaker

Matthew Winner is the Head of Podcasts at A Kids Book About where he leads the company in creating a podcast network dedicated to helping kids and their grownups have honest conversations by making podcasts about challenging, empowering, and important topics hosted by individuals... Read More →

Saturday April 2, 2022 12:00pm - 12:50pm EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

12:00pm EDT

Q and A With Kristin Ziemke, Chad Everett, and Sara Ahmed

Join Kristin, Sara and Chad in conversation as they discuss their latest thoughts on literacy as the confluence of civics, social justice, agency and empowerment. Panelists will share their take on contemporary issues in education and will answer questions from attendees.

Speakers

Kristin Ziemke

International Expert in Literacy, Inquiry and Technology, Ziemke Consulting, LLC

Sara Ahmed

Heinemann, Catherine Cook School, Keynote and Featured Speaker

Sara K. Ahmed currently serves as the Director of Curriculum Integration and 5th-grade advisor at Catherine Cook School in Chicago. She has taught and coached in city, suburban, public, independent, and international schools, where her classrooms were designed to help students consider... Read More →

Chad Everett

Featured Speaker

Chad was born in Memphis, Tennessee, moved to Mississippi at age five, and has lived in The Magnolia State ever since. He likes to spend as much time as possible on a lake with a fishing pole in his hand or speeding around a golf course. He is a nonfiction fan and true crime junkie.He... Read More →

Saturday April 2, 2022 12:00pm - 12:50pm EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

2:00pm EDT

Maintain a Healthy Perspective on Conventions

Correct use of conventions is important to a piece of writing, but conventions are not the only component that’s needed to create quality writing. In this session we’ll explore how to strike a healthy balance between teaching conventions and overemphasizing conventions.

Speakers

Kelly Boswell

Author/Educational Consulant/Instructor, MSU

Kelly Boswell has many years of experience as a classroom teacher, staff developer, literacy coach, and district literacy specialist. She is the author of Every Kid a Writer (Heinemann, 2020), Write This Way From the Start (Maupin House, 2018) and Write This Way (Maupin House, 2016... Read More →

Saturday April 2, 2022 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

2:00pm EDT

To Know and Be Known: Examining Representation and Pushing Beyond “Diverse” Booklists

It is in the transaction (Rosenblatt, 1986) between the reader and the text that a text’s diversity is realized. In this workshop, participants will learn how to step beyond thinking of texts in the binary of diverse or non-diverse to instead critically examine texts we place in our schools. Participants will leave equipped to begin or continue the journey of ensuring all students’ lives are authentically represented on our shelves and in our curriculum.

Speakers

Chad Everett

Featured Speaker

Chad was born in Memphis, Tennessee, moved to Mississippi at age five, and has lived in The Magnolia State ever since. He likes to spend as much time as possible on a lake with a fishing pole in his hand or speeding around a golf course. He is a nonfiction fan and true crime junkie.He... Read More →

Saturday April 2, 2022 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

3:00pm EDT

Building a Culture of Talk

A culture of talk creates space where students’ own curiosity and questions lead their meaning making process. As they push and pull with ideas, thoughtful teaching and facilitation of talk honors student’s intellect, capacity for meaning making, and supports the development of literate habits of mind. This session explores the nature of purposeful talk, and processes for teaching into reading, thinking, and talking that transform communities and the unique learners within!

Speakers

Maria Nichols

Author, Consultant, Featured Speaker

Maria’s work as an educational leader includes 33 years with the San Diego Unified School District, where she served as a Demonstration Teacher, Literacy Coach, and eventually as the Director of School Innovation. Her passion for transformational approaches to teaching and learning... Read More →

Saturday April 2, 2022 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker

3:00pm EDT

Mentors and Modeling

Research has consistently found that teachers who engage in writing experiences themselves can connect more authentically with students during the writing process. There is immense power in giving students a peek into the mind and processes of another writer. In this session, you’ll learn how to choose mentor texts (both published and authored by students) and how to harness the power of teacher demonstration and modeling.

Speakers

Kelly Boswell

Author/Educational Consulant/Instructor, MSU

Kelly Boswell has many years of experience as a classroom teacher, staff developer, literacy coach, and district literacy specialist. She is the author of Every Kid a Writer (Heinemann, 2020), Write This Way From the Start (Maupin House, 2018) and Write This Way (Maupin House, 2016... Read More →

Saturday April 2, 2022 3:00pm - 3:50pm EDT
Featured Speaker

Featured Speaker