53rd Annual Convention Program: Institutes   Institutes, which take place on Sunday, May 4, feature detailed exploration of a topic with leaders in the field. Separate, paid registration is required. Please note: The institute line-up below is accurate as of December 3. Consult the e-planner for the latest information. Institute 1 Side by Side by Side: When Literature and Literacy Intersect Children’s literature is present in many classrooms, but it is often treated more as a tool than as a collaborator, mentor, and adviser. This institute will braid together the experiences of authors, illustrators, editors, master teachers, and learners to inform the teaching of reading and writing in the elementary and middle school. Speakers: Ralph Fletcher, Marla Frazee, Cyndi Giorgis, Barry Hoonan, Nancy Johnson, Allyn Johnston, Kate Norem, Megan Sloan, Marianne Richardson, Mark Teague, Deborah Wiles Institute 2 Students Have Rights Too: Creating Literacy Experiences in Grades 5–12 That Place Learners First Participants will learn about ten research-based rights that support all students’ reading, learning, and engagement in grades 5–12 and examine how to make the rights a reality in their classrooms by learning specific suggestions, resources, and strategies to assist them in refocusing instruction on their students, while still working within a standards-based climate. Speakers: Marino Alvarez, Jo Ann Bass, Heidi Davey, Laurie Elish-Piper,Gay Ivey, Peter Johnston, Mona Matthews, Samantha Morley, David O’Brien, Bertha Perez, Victoria Risko, Tyree Simon, Alfred Tatum, Molly Williams

Q&A Directory Registration Program Social Events Exhibits Housing Travel For Presenters Future Conventions 2009 Program Proposals Reading Research Conference Institutes Keynotes Featured speakers/authors Author-Teacher partnerships Session tickets

Institute 3
Adolescent Literacy: Policy Into Practices and Practices Into Policy

Participants will explore policy issues that affect literacy practices and examine best practices in adolescent literacy that can inform policy. School-based presenters demonstrate how to incorporate reading, writing, and learning strategies within secondary content classrooms and how their approaches can and should influence policy.
Speakers: Donna Alvermann, Doug Buehl, Cindy Chiapetta, Peggy Clark, Lynn Dougherty-Underwood, Victoria Ridgeway Gillis, Andrew Huddleston, Jeff Means, Carol Santa, Alfred Tatum, Bonnie Valdes, Jeffrey D. Wilhelm, Bob Wise

Institute 4
Teaching and Learning in Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Classrooms: Bringing Theory and Research to Practice

This institute is a joint presentation of IRA’s Commission on Second Language Literacy and Learning and the Urban Diversity Initiatives Committee.
Speakers: Jennifer Battle, Donald Bear, Paul Boyd-Batstone, Margarita Calderon, Catherine Carrison, Julie Coppola, Michael Graves, Lee Gunderson, Lori Helman, Grete Kelsey, Youb Kim, Trini Lewis, Meredith McLellan, Andrea McPherson, Barbara Merrick, Kathleen Mohr, Julie Nora, Heidi Oliver O’Gilvie, P. David Pearson, Elizabeth Primas, Esmeralda Ramos, Nancy Roser, Robert Rueda, Patricia Ruggiano Schmidt, Fay Shin, Lilly Steiner, Jennifer Turner, MaryEllen Vogt, Russell Wasden, Linda Woessner, Melanie Patterson Zoch

Institute 5
Promoting Vocabulary Development in Grades 4 Through 12: A Comprehensive Approach

This institute will set out to develop understanding of current and past research relevant to vocabulary teaching and learning; demonstrate and describe multiple means for effectively promoting vocabulary growth in grades 4 through 12, including strategies/techniques to increase the vocabulary knowledge of diverse learners (English language learners and other learners with special needs), and offer prompt discussion and understanding of vocabulary instruction and of the perspectives of different stakeholders through a panel discussion.
Speakers: Diane August, Aimee Correa, Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, Kathy Ganske, Michael Graves, Elfrieda Hiebert, Margaret McGregor, Margaret McKeown, Barbara Moss, Donna Ogle, P. David Pearson, Carol Rothenberg, Russ Walsh

Institute 6
Leading Literacy Programs

This Institute offers current views, insights, and information about the role of reading specialists, literacy coaches, administrators, and teacher leaders in leading literacy programs.
Speakers: Rita Bean, Karen Bromley, Jack Cassidy, Barbara Fox, Jane Gangi, James V. Hoffman, Dee Hopkins, Misty Inman, Barbara Kapinus, Julie Kidd, Brian Kissel, Mary Ellen Levin, Michael C. McKenna, Christine McKeon, Maryann Mraz, Joan Pearlman, Diana J. Quatroche, Ruth Quiroa, D. Ray Reutzel, Misty Sailors, Dorothy Strickland, Bill Teale, Richard Vacca, Sharon Walpole, Shelley B. Wepner, Junko Yokota

Institute 7
New Literacies Practices: Learning From Youth in Out-of-School and In-School Contexts

Participants will learn about, examine, and discuss the changing context of literacy learning and instruction, focusing on the impact of new literacies in the lives of contemporary youth and in teaching literacies in in-school and out-of-school contexts.
Speakers: Michael Bitz, Rebecca Black, Chandler Dabit, Jonathan Eakle, Paula Egelson, Lori Gurganious, Barbara Guzzetti, Margaret Hagood, Amy Johnson, Jermaine Joyner, Mary Provost, Jennifer Rowsell, Emily Skinner, Virginia Smith, Jesse White, Ben Yelm

Institute 8
Providing Exemplary Practice in Early Literacy — Dealing With Issues: Children Who Are Advanced, Struggling, ELL, and From Diverse Backgrounds

Sessions about exemplary instruction in Pre-K to grade 3 will address topics such as advanced and struggling readers, English language learners, multicultural backgrounds, and differentiating instruction.
Speakers: Brod Bagart, Sue Bredekamp, Renee Casbergue, James Christie, Mayra Daniel, Andrea DeBruin-Parecki, David Dickinson, Patricia Edwards, Billie Enz, Rona Flippo, Dawn Foley, Diane Givens, Adria Klein, Melanie Kuhn, Diane Lapp, Miriam Martinez, Lea McGee, Noreen Moore, Lesley Mandel Morrow, Jeanne R. Paratore, Jack Pikulski, D. Ray Reutzel, Nancy Roser, Judith Schickedanz, Timothy Shanahan, William Teale, Sandra Twardosz, Carol Vukelich

Institute 9
Engaging Learners With Teachers’ Choices Books: Authors, Illustrators, Teachers, and Media Specialists Present Strategies for Using Recently Published Teachers’ Choices Trade Books in K–8 Classrooms

Do you love books, authors, and illustrators? Help your K–8 students engage in literacy by using Teachers’ Choices books in the classroom.
Speakers: Jeanie Burnett, Cathy Denman, Beth Eller, Tonya Freeman, Joyce Hamon, Jessica Hollon, Suzanne Jensen, Patrice Kraus, Kathleen Krull, Marci Mitchell, Dorothy Hinshaw Patent, Nan Brandenberger Payne, Laura Rankin, Eric Rohmann, N.D. Wilson

Institute 10
Working Together as a School: Building an Articulated Literacy Program

Institute participants will learn about the benefits of a school wide literacy program and ways to build community with cross-grade literacy ideas.
Speakers: Richard Allington, Micki Caskey, Jerry L. Johns, Erexania Lanier, Susan Davis Lenski, Carol Owles, Barb Ruben, Terri Ruge, Donna Shrier, Chris Soenpiet, Linda Wedwick, Sandra Wilde, Jessica Wutz, JoAnn Yatvin

Institute 11
Hands-on Literacy Coaching: Guiding Classroom Teachers Toward Excellence in Explicit Instruction

Participants will experience a tool for reflecting on explicit literacy instruction and learn about classroom-ready interventions to meet teachers’ instructional needs in key areas of reading and writing.
Speakers: Nancy Boyles, Imma Canelli, Patricia D’Amore, Maria Driend, Patty Foley, Glenda Green, Jonda McNair, Barbara Mechler, Naomi Migliacci, Dena Moura, Elaine Parsons, Kathy Rockwell, Beth Taylor Roscow, Jule Tolis, Karen Waters

Institute 12
Leading Literacy Improvement Efforts: Professional Learning Communities, Teacher Ownership, and Student Achievement

Participants will learn about the research base for school change in literacy and the Standards-Based Change Process, a particular approach for improving students’ literacy achievement through standards, through presentations and interactions with educators in Chicago and Hawaii schools. Implications of the ideas presented for bringing about changes that improve students’ literacy achievement in their own districts, schools, and classrooms will be discussed.
Speakers: Kathryn Au, Patrick Baccellieri, Ariel Correa, Shelby Cosner, MariAnne George, Rosa Gonzalez, Yvonne Jones, Barbara Kapinus, Dennis Kato, Charlene Kojiro, Jean Nielsen, Taffy Raphael, Jennifer Schmidt, Marie Sullivan, Lorraine Tamashiro, Catherine Weber, Pat Winger, Catherine Weber, Doris Yamashiro

Institute 13
Vocabulary Instruction: The Challenges and Strategies for Success

New research and research-based instructional practices that significantly increase vocabulary for students in kindergarten through high school will be presented. New methods of teaching vocabulary in which the special needs of ELL, special needs students, and special urban children and youth can best be met will be explored. Materials in which all participants will receive the latest research-based, innovative practices in vocabulary, comprehension and technologically-based instruction designed to reduce the achievement gap will be provided.
Speakers: Diane Barone, William G. Brozo, Karen Burke, Cathy Collins Block, Charlene Cobb, Linda Cornwell, Julie Dwyer, Douglas K. Hartman, Nancy Jennison, Michael Kamil, Donna Knoell, Linda Labbo, John N. Mangieri, J. Gregory McVerry, Susan B. Neuman, Theresa Nierlich, Ian O’Byrne, Kathleen Roskos, Paula Schwanenflugel, Cheryl Taitague, Carol Vukelich, Tanya Wright

Institute 14
Technology Tools to Engage All Learners in Literacy

Participants will learn about research-based best practices in literacy and technology, including practical models and applications of technology to engage all learners.
Speakers: Anne Burke, Jill Castek, Julie Coiro, Mark Condon, Bridget Dalton, Beth Dobler, Larry Ferlazzo, Dana L. Grisham, Colin Harrison, Renee Hobbs, Denise Johnson, Rachel Karchmer-Klein, Kristina Najera, Mike Putman, Jennifer Rowsell

Institute 15
Diverse Families, Welcoming Schools: What Partnerships Really Make a Difference?

Participants will explore family–school partnerships that support student learning. We will engage in processes for creating welcoming schools with diverse families, including writing cultural memoirs, learning from family funds of knowledge, responding to family–school literacy journals, writing from student photographs, and sustaining authentic dialogue.
Speakers: Lois Alexander, JoBeth Allen, Karen Hankins, Esperanza Mejia-Quijano, Shane Rayburn, Carmen Urdanivia-English

Institute 16
Building and Sustaining a Schoolwide Reading Improvement Effort in the Elementary Grades: A Collaborative Minnesota Model at Work

Intended to teach elementary teachers and administrators, district personnel, and professional development providers about effective techniques used in a successful schoolwide reading improvement project.
Speakers: Julie Barkley, Karen Bihrle, Amy Bjurlin, Cindy Blagg, Roberta Burnham, Tracee Cahalan, Kathy Cahill, Michelle Chein, Pat Cunningham, Ella Evans, Diane Henning, Nancy Hof, Leah Lewis-Frazier, Angela Mansfield, Jenny Mortimore, Debra S. Peterson, Rynell Schock, Melissa Shaw, Barbara Taylor

Institute 17
Bridging the Gap Between Primary and Middle Grades: Improving Literacy Achievement in Grades 3–6

Despite clear evidence that well-articulated literacy instruction is needed in grades 3 to 6, little focus has been given to this level. This institute explores critical areas for these grades: teaching and organizing for success, developing knowledge and vocabulary, teaching comprehension and building independence, establishing and extending word identification and fluency, and using assessment to differentiate instruction.
Speakers: Camille Blachowicz, Pam Chomsky-Higgins, Kathleen Harrington, Marjorie Y. Lipson, MaryBeth Monahan, Timothy Rasinski, Kerry Sewell, Ellen Thompson, Sheila Valencia, Nancy Woods, Theresa Young

Institute 18
Engaging, Productive Classrooms: Process to Product, We’ll Show You How

Australian and USA teachers will introduce participants to a wide range of pedagogical, teaching-learning principles from which a “new comprehensive” theoretical model for “literacy learning through making meaning” for all learners will emerge.
Speakers: Brian Cambourne, Lynda Gunter, Sharon Hughes, Lisa Kervin, Denise Trainor, Jan Turbill, Barbara Untch, Sandra Whiteis

Institute 19
Supporting, Mentoring, and Advancing Teacher Research

Through interaction with expert teacher researchers, this institute supports all attendees, especially graduate students, university instructors, and K–12 classroom researchers, in how to plan, conduct, and share teacher research.
Speakers: Janice F. Almasi, James F. Baumann, William Bintz, Betty Shockley Bisplinghoff, Amy D. Broemmel, Courtney Clayton, Catherine Compton-Lilly, Peggy D. Cuevas, Barbara H. Davis, Elizabeth DeMulder, Cheryl Dozier, Deborah Eldridge, Elizabeth Carr Edwards, Francine C. Falk-Ross, Moira A. Fallon, Bob Fecho, Susan Florio-Ruane, Rebecca Fox, Carol Gilles, Kathy Highfield, Nithya Narayanaswamy Iyer, Kerri Jackson, Wendy Kasten, Cindy Lassonde, Christine A. Mallozzi, Nancy L. Michelson, Elavie Ndura, Anthony J. Onwuegbuzie, Nancy D. Padak, Linda Pratt, Janet C. Richards, Ilene Rutten, Trace Schillinger, Kathy G. Short, Tracy L. Smiles, Suzanne Wegener Soled, Michelle Stein, Stacia Stribling, Elizabeth A. Swaggerty, Amanda L. Ware, Donna Ware, Alyson Wasko, Kenneth J. Weiss

Institute 20
IRA/NCATE: A Partnership for Teacher Quality and Performance

Intended for college professors preparing to write an IRA/NCATE program report and those who review program reports for IRA. Attendees are encouraged to preview materials and information on the IRA website and to bring assessments to share at the session.
Speakers: Deidre Alves, Deborah Bordelon, Barbara Chesler Buckner, Joyce Fine, Jeri Gillin, Gail Keating, Diane Kern, Sherry Kragler, Debra A. Miller, Lynn Romeo, Suzanne Rose, Michael L. Shaw, William E. Smith