CSUN Children’s Literature Conference
On April 12, 2008, the Department of Elementary Education at California State University, Northridge is hosting its first annual Children’s Literacy Conference for educators, teacher candidates, parents, and all who are passionate about children's literature. This year’s conference is focused on content area reading and informational literature that explores topics within the subject areas of history/social studies, mathematics, science, and the arts.
Sessions will include presentations by local authors of informational books, including: Keynote Speaker, Stacia Deutsch, author of the acclaimed “Blast to the Past” series; as well as Ann Whitford Paul, author of Mañana Iguana and All By Herself: 14 Girls Who Made a Difference; and Caroline Arnold, author of The Animal Catchersand Giant Sea Reptiles. These authors will inspire participants to explore informational literature with a new lens. Additional sessions will be presented by educators who work in K-12, as well as university and parent educators—all holding an expertise in the effective use of literature within content instruction in Prek- grade 8.
This new conference has been created to ensure that our children and young adults develop effective literacy skills and a passion for learning through reading. This year’s conference motto looks at books as “Minds Alive on the Shelves” based on a quote from Gilbert Highet: “These are not books, lumps of lifeless paper, but minds alive on the shelves.” The conference hopes to inspire the love and practical use of literature.
The conference committee is soliciting proposals for interactive sessions that will engage participants in the wealth of high-quality trade book literature available to teachers and families, as well as effective instructional strategies and models that will open the minds of children and young adults to the diverse, fascinating world beyond the words on the page. Presenters will be asked to submit a list of trade literature recommended and used during their session and a conference bookstore will offer these books for purchase.
We invite you to join us on the CSUN campus on Saturday, April 12, 2008, either as a participant or as a presenter so that we can work together to develop engaged readers with the content reading skills to succeed in our high-tech world. You will have the opportunity to gain vital information about literature you can use to engage children and young adults in learning adventures with content literature. Whether you are a new or veteran teacher, are enrolled in a teacher education program, are a parent, or simply want some great ideas for selecting and using content area literature—we hope to see you at this First Annual Children’s Literature Conference!
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CSUN Children’s Literature Conference
On the campus of California State University, Northridge
College of Education Building
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Conference schedule: (tentative)
8:00 – 9:00 am Registration / continental breakfast
9:00 – 10:15am Keynote Speaker/Session I
10:30 – 11:45am Session II
12:00 – 1:15pm Lunch/Exhibits/Book Shopping
1: 15 – 2:30pm Keynote Speaker/Session III
Registration Fee: $45
The 1st 250 registered participants will receive a FREE Teacher’s
guide for Lincoln’s Legacy, the first book in the “Blast to the
Past” series authored by keynote speaker Stacia Deutsch.
Registration Includes:
- Inspirational Keynote Presentation
- Interactive workshops with educators who work with children and young adults
- Mrs. Nelson’s Bookshop Exhibit of recommended books featured in the presentations
- Continental Breakfast and Lunch
- CSUN Parking Pass
Sponsored by the Department of Elementary Education
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, California 91330-8265
Questions? Call Dr. Nancy Prosenjak: 818.677.2627 or email Dr. Greg Knotts: greg.knotts@csun.edu
Call for Proposals | RFP Word document | RFP pdf document
Information, registration form, campus map and directions, and links to authors’ titles at http://www.csun.edu/coe/eed/childlit