Free professional development? The chance to network with colleagues and book lovers across Vermont and New Hampshire? Yes please! It’s all there in the upcoming CLiF Community Literacy Conference.
Dates: March 15, 22, and 29 (3-4:30PM ET)
We are excited to offer these workshops to our friends and grantees because we know how important it is to keep learning and honing our skills in order to best serve children and youth. All CLiF partners are invited – librarians, teachers, school staff, administrators, out-of-school time providers, early educators, writers, mentors, and more.
Cost: Free
You can choose from these incredible options and register for the series or an individual session. Each session will feature CLiF announcements, a workshop, and time for questions and sharing.
You must register to receive the workshop Zoom links and attend workshops to receive certificates of attendance.
March 15th (3-4:30PM) – Using Picture Books to Ignite Project Based Learning
Katy Farber, Ed.D., assistant professor of education and author
This workshop will guide participants in how to use picture books to launch project-based learning with students, using their interest and excitement to drive inquiry and spark learning. Participants will leave with a usable template and ideas of several books that can be used to begin this work at various levels and content areas.
Katy Farber is an Assistant Professor of Education at Saint Michael’s College with over 25 years of education experience, including 19 years as a teacher, and four as a professional development coordinator at the University of Vermont’s Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education. She is also the author of a picture book called Salamander Sky in addition to other nonfiction and fiction books.
March 22nd (3-4:30PM) – Drawing Connections with Comics
Daryl Seitchik and Dan Nott, Center for Cartoon Studies
Daryl and Dan are back by popular demand! In this workshop, Vermont-based cartoonists Daryl Seitchik and Dan Nott will discuss their work and lead an exercise in using comics storytelling to explore a current topic or experience that’s important to you. Participants of all skill levels, including reluctant drawers, are encouraged to join in.
Daryl and Dan teach and work at the Center for Cartoon Studies, as well as published a number of graphic guides and cartoons.
March 29th (3-4:30PM) – When Books Become Best Friends: One Book/Many Visits
Lester L. Laminack, children’s book author and literacy specialist
Explore the potential of revisiting a small collection of carefully selected books through focused read aloud experiences across time. Imagine slowing down to explore a small set of books in layers, one layer at a time with a clear focus for each read aloud experience. Lester will take you through the potential of a few picture books to demonstrate what can be done with well-loved “Best Friend Books” because he understands that to be a good writer you must first be able to read deeply and understand author’s intent. Lester will show you that the key to successful writing is harnessing the power of close reading. You will learn how your students can transfer what they know about reading structures and strategies into practices that will hone their writing skills and help them become more focused writers.
Lester Laminack, Professor Emeritus, Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina is now a full-time writer and consultant working with schools throughout the United States and abroad. He is the author of over 25 books for teachers and children.
Last but not least, there will be book giveaways! You must register and attend to receive books, and books will be mailed out to participants in April.
