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Presentations
Sharron L. McElmeel

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  Current schedule

NEW for 2009 -- 3-5 hour seminar for library media specialists / literacy leaders

What Does a Sixteen-Foot Gazoo Have to Do with Literacy and Library Programs? Everything!

Mice that paint in the fashion of Matisse, Picasso, and Grant Wood; a lion that juggles 16 cans of root beer, and a giant playing two pianos at once; the 40,000 word gap, and the reading fairy all impact the success of library programs. This session will share some great books to read and provide some inspiring new ideas for building a successful literacy environment in your school and community. This session will provide a potpourri of ideas that will motivate proactive literacy initiatives to improve reading scores, parent involvement, collaborative literacy activities, and ideas to build a community of readers (and writers). Audience Level: Kindergarten-sixth grade.

Sessions for community/parent groups

Building a Community (or school or family) of Readers --Twenty steps to surrounding your family and community with literacy.

Keynote Sessions for Professional Groups

NEW for 2009 -- Keynote or Featured Speaker presentation

Meet Alexander Calder, Elizabeth Stanton, and the Steel Pan Man—Best Books for 2009

Best new books and myriad of strategies to build curiosity and reading motivation for all types of readers. Thematically connected collaborative programs to connect libraries and classrooms. Public Relation tips and plans for involving your community in developing a literacy-rich environment.

Walking the Path to Reading Success Throughout Your School

Transform your school into a community enveloped in literacy and reading success and convince young learners to view reading and writing as a participation sport.

Closing the 40,000 Word Gap -- the Importance of Language Experience to the Success of Readers.

Oral language. read alouds, book ownership and a number of other factors that impact the success of young learners -- what are these factors? What is the impact? and What do we do about the gap?

Read It - Bag It -- An exciting initiative to give primary children (and their families) an opportunity to close the gap on reading experiences. A classroom initiative that will bring unbelievable results.  Materials needed: books (from your library), bags, a little organization, and enthusiasm.

 Some Suggested Titles/Topics for other 60-75 minute seminars/workshops

Picture That! From Mendel to Normandy: Picture Books and Ideas, Curriculum and Connections—for T'weens and Teens
Fire up interest in science, history and other areas of the curriculum with older students.  Make connections with Gregor Mendel's work with genetics, the journey of 100 orphans from the Normandy battlefields, diverse cultures, and much more.  Emphasis on research, writing, and building schema and interest.  (Older Intermediate and up)

Research Fuels the Author's Fire: Fun Facts to Inspire.
Stoke the flames with ideas for inquiry and real research using primary sources, investigation, and creative showcasing.  Sharing where authors and illustrators really do find their facts and tales of research from Newbery & Caldecott writers/illustrators.  (All ages)

Poems, Prose, and People -- Building connections for young readers. Innovative ideas for sharing and involving the emerging reader in books and literacy activities. Activities suggested for drama, art, and other collaborative activities to enhance the experience with favorite folk stories and poems. (Primary; Intermediate)

3 R's: Rhyme, Rhythm, and Repetition--Ensure reading success with language-based activities. Use nursery rhymes and developmentally appropriate books to inspire real writing experiences. And, focus on the strongest and earliest predictors of reading success with activities that promote alphabet recognition, phonemic awareness, oral language, and more.   (Primary)

25 Best Books  --”Designed with the elementary reader in mind.  Participants will be introduced to 25 (and more) books and myriad of strategies to bring books and reading into every corner of the curriculum. (Specific presentations for primary, intermediate, secondary)

Picture Books and the 6 Writing Traits Plus 1 -- Use picture books with tried and true classroom/library strategies to focus on the "Six-traits Plus One" traits present in successful student writing: Idea, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Fluency, Conventions, and Presentation.  (Primary and intermediate)

Novels and the 6 Writing Traits Plus 1 -- “ Use titles by Neil Shusterman, Avi, and others with tried and true classroom/library strategies to focus on the "Six-traits Plus One"� 
Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Fluency, Conventions, and Presentation.  (Internediate and older)

Library Media Specialists and classroom teachers collaborate to explore a variety of literature-based mini-lessons to teach and reinforce the traits.

Make Your Point --“ Build Partners with Effective Presentations to Parents, Your Students, and Your Colleagues.
Presentations to build partnerships with parents and colleagues; and instruct young readers.  (Professional, all grade levels)

Author Central-- Prepare to draw readers into a plenthora of books with ideas that bring favorite authors/illustrators into the library/classroom. Reading, writing, and plenty of motivation. (Specific presentations for primary, intermediate, secondary)

Authors in the Kitchen: Connecting Books from Little Red Hen to Gator Stew--Great book connections for interactive learning.  Fascinating facts about authors, anecdotes and stories.  A delicious way to learn about authors and their books!  (Elementary and older)

The Best Teen Reads -- A session filled with great new books, innovative and creative ideas, enthusiasm, exciting literacy connections and news about wonderful authors too good to miss.  Fiction, information books, connections to classic titles, ties to literacy standards, and many suggestions for opportunities for collaborative activities in many curricular areas. (Upper Elementary/Secondary)

Any related topic can be addressed to meet the needs of your intended audience.

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