April 25–28, 2010 • McCormick Place / Lakeside Center • 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive • Chicago, Illinois, 60616

Browse the Convention program and when you are ready, build your personalized itinerary. Click here to go to the planner.

Two exciting speakers announced! Check back frequently for the latest convention news.

Reading Research Conference will be part of the convention program and open to all attendees at no extra cost on Monday, April 26, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

• Reading Research Conference schedule (subject to change)

Plan to join us at the Research Address and Reception

Sheila Valencia
University of Washington
Standards and Assessments: Staying on Track; Avoiding Derailment
Monday, April 26, 4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Ballroom, Second Level

Join us for a wine and cheese reception immediately following the address.

Kevin Henkes — Henkes received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon. He has created several picture books featuring his mouse characters, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers Lilly's Big Day and Wemberly Worried, the Caldecott Honor Book Owen, and the beloved Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. In a New York Times Book Review piece, Bruce Handy wrote, "It should be said: Kevin Henkes is a genius." Also a writer for older children, Henkes' novels include Bird Lake Moon, the Newbery Honor Book Olive's Ocean, The Birthday Room, and Sun & Spoon. Please visit him online at www.kevinhenkes.com.


Primary Literature Luncheon
Noon–1:30 p.m., Monday, April 26, 2010
Graciously supported by HarperCollins Children's Books

T.A. Barron — Barron is the creator of the beloved Lost Years of Merlin and Great Tree of   Avalon books, as well as the Merlin's Dragon trilogy. Always a believer in the heroism of every child and the magnificence of nature, Barron and his characters explore the courage and possibilities of human character as well as the depth and breadth of their dreams. The hero's journey underlies all of his novels and this idea inspired him to write The Hero's Trail, featuring real-life young heroes, and to create the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, celebrating children who have helped change the world. For more information, explore www.tabarron.com.
Photo credit: Currie Barron
Young Adult Literature Luncheon
Noon–1:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Graciously Supported by Penguin Young Readers Group

Janet Wong — Wong and her books have received numerous awards and honors, such as the International Reading Association's "Celebrate Literacy Award" for exemplary service in the promotion of literacy, and the prestigious Stone Center Recognition of Merit, given by the Claremont Graduate School. Wong also has been appointed to two terms on the Commission on Literature of the National Council of Teachers of English. After practicing corporate and labor law for several years, she made a dramatic career change—choosing to write for young people. Her successful switch from law to children's literature has been the subject of several articles and television programs, most notably an O Magazine article, a "Remembering Your Spirit" segment on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and the Fine Living Channel's "Radical Sabbatical." For more information, explore www.janetwong.com.

Book and Author Luncheon
Noon–1:30 p.m., Wednesday April 28, 2010
Graciously Supported by Charlesbridge

• Download the latest information about Institutes and ticketed sessions 

Peter Afflerbach, leading voice on assessment and author of Understanding and Using Reading Assessment, K-12, co-presents "Social, Economic and Political Factors That Shape Assessment."

Harvey Daniels, pioneer of literature circles, content area reading, and inquiry circles, presents "Smart is Something You Get: Combining Comprehension, Collaboration, and Inquiry."

Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey, prolific authors in a number of areas such as adolescent literacy, brain research, and integrating literacy instruction into content learning, present "Word Wise and Content Rich: Vocabulary Instruction in Middle and High School."

Michael P. Ford and Michael F. Opitz, dynamic team whose popular works include Reaching Readers, and Do-Able Differentiation, present on "Moving From Many and Most to Every and All: Research-Based Practices for Moving All Readers Forward."

Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell, innovators in leveled reading, present "Expert Teaching in Literacy Lessons: Teaching, Prompting, and Reinforcing Problem-Solving Behaviors."

Michael Graves, renowned for his work in vocabulary instruction, presents "Teaching Content Area Vocabulary" for grades 3-12.

Michelle Kelley, teacher and co-author of Comprehension Shouldn't Be Silent and R5 in the Classrooms, presents "Do They Use it When it Counts? Helping Students Transfer Metacognitive Reading Strategy Lessons to Independent Use."

Diane Lapp, prolific author, distinguished professor, and classroom teacher, co-presents two institutes and a workshop this year on "Strategies for Teaching Early Literacy and Beginning Readers" and "Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners."

Lori Oczkus, literacy coach, motivating force in professional development, and author of Reciprocal Teaching at Work and Interactive Think-Aloud Lessons, will co-present "The Interaction Between Content, Vocabulary, and Comprehension Instruction."

Sharon Taberski, a nationally recognized educator, author, and presenter, co-presents "It's All About Comprehension."

Peg Tyre and Bill Brozo, who have brought national attention to the unique learning needs of boys, present "Raising Boys' Reading Achievement by Viewing Them as a Resource."

• Adult Literacy Strategies
• Assessments for Reading
• International Perspectives
• Preparing to Teach Reading
• Promoting Reading Engagement
• Reading Research
• Strategies for Teaching Adolescent Learners
• Strategies for Teaching Early Literacy and Beginning Readers
• Strategies for Teaching Elementary Learners
• Strategies for Teaching English Language Learners
• Struggling Readers
• Teaching the Relationship Between Writing and Reading
• Using Literature and Providing Access to Books

Looking to expand your horizons even further at the IRA's annual convention? Want to focus on a specific literacy topic and go deep into new territory? Then we're pleased to offer intensive mini-courses to all 2010 attendees; thirteen brand new courses packed with valuable knowledge and insight you can take with you right into the classroom. That's up to 10 hours of focused in-depth professional development.

Mini-courses consist of an institute offered on Sunday, April 25, and two to four sessions, workshops or symposia offered throughout the week of the convention. Don't miss this opportunity to dive into any one of thirteen topics critical to literacy professionals like you. Participants receive a certificate of completion.

Mini-Courses are offered at no extra cost and are part of your regular registration fee and institute fee. Enrollment is limited so register early to ensure a seat in your topic of interest.

• Download the latest information about Institutes and ticketed sessions

Mini-Courses offered: