Fantasy novels and other forms of genre fiction can be a great source of inspiration for young readers and writers. An author of middle grade fantasy novels will discuss how to spark students’ imaginations, strategies to make fantasy more accessible for first-time readers, and ways to encourage young students to find inspiration and develop their own writing.
Alexandra Ott is the author of two fantasy novels for young readers: Rules for Thieves and its sequel The Shadow Thieves, both published by Aladdin/Simon and Schuster. Her next book, Seekers of the Wild Realm, is forthcoming in 2020. She is also a freelance editor and holds a B.A... Read More →
Rachel will discuss curriculum connections to her Triple S Farm Adventure series of children’s books for K-5th grades plus entertain you with some interesting facts about how she got started writing the series, the content and how to schedule her author presentation for your school library.
Rachel Shankles served as President of AAIM twice and her high school library won the Outstanding Media Program Award twice while she was LMS at Lakeside High in Hot Springs. She is currently Immediate Past President of Arkansas Library Association. Rachel worked as the Practicum... Read More →
We like to say find your resources in 3 clicks instead of spending 3 hours searching the internet. ZUNI Learning Tree, an Arkansas based EdTech Company has been curating resources for years. But we do more than just curate. We collaborate with our teachers and provide tools for educators to collaborate, inform, and inspire each other, students, and families. You will find resources for R.I.S.E, math, NGSS, STEM, Social Studies, Coding, Professional Learning Communities, PBIS, Holidays and more. This year we launched the new student interface. In one click students can access free games, videos, and interactive tools for all areas. ZUNI for Kids is a HUGE hit! Join us and leave with your free trial login and learn about cool tools without spending hours trying to find them.
Tina McCord is the founder and CEO of ZUNI. She had 15 years of experience in business prior to entering the field of education. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of education. Tina holds certifications in K-8 general education and K-12 special education. Her... Read More →
Sunday April 28, 2019 2:40pm - 3:30pm CDT
Ambassador B
Like teachers, parents are busy. They want to help at home but can feel overwhelmed with emails, remind101, Class Dojo, suggested links, e-school and more. ZUNI Learning Tree's kids and family platform makes it easy for families to keep up with all of the notices from teachers and schools. Even more importantly it is packed with free and open educational resources that can be used at home to inspire fun and engaging learning moments at home. Parent's say ZUNI is the tool that lets them learn alongside of their kids. It empowers them to feel like they can be part of the process. Join us to learn more and hear from kids and parents using ZUNI.
Tina McCord is the founder and CEO of ZUNI. She had 15 years of experience in business prior to entering the field of education. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of education. Tina holds certifications in K-8 general education and K-12 special education. Her... Read More →
Monday April 29, 2019 9:55am - 10:45am CDT
Salon E
Attendees will learn how one library engages 3-8 grade students in STEAM as they are introduced to several activities with Sphero robots and introductory block coding.
Associate Professor of Instructional Design and Technology, The University of Memphis
Craig E. Shepherd is an associate professor of instructional design and technology at The University of Memphis. His research interests include technology use to facilitate collaboration and community formation in formal and informal learning environments. My website URL directs... Read More →
Monday April 29, 2019 9:55am - 10:45am CDT
Salon F
Adults are often eager to fix all the problems in children's lives, but children are drawn to the stories where they are their own hero. They want to solve their own problems but often feel they lack the ability to do so. Real-life stories that they can relate to, fiction and nonfiction, can help them foster confidence and enable them to be independent thinkers. They're already reading the books; help them apply the principles of problem-solving to their lives. This also addresses the first R.I.S.E. goal, to sharpen the focus and strengthen instruction.
Primarily a children's author with some ventures into romance, Tamara Hart Heiner's goal is to write light into the darkness by highlighting tough social issues in an encouraging, hopeful way. She has over ten novels published and still finds time to be swim-team and soccer mom. When... Read More →
Monday April 29, 2019 10:55am - 11:45am CDT
Salon E
Would you like all of your students to learn about coding but aren't quite sure how. I will show you how easy it is to have your students involved in coding in less than 10 minutes with ZUNI Learning Tree. One student said, "I missed participating in the hour of code at my school but with ZUNI I can still learn to code."
Tina McCord is the founder and CEO of ZUNI. She had 15 years of experience in business prior to entering the field of education. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of education. Tina holds certifications in K-8 general education and K-12 special education. Her... Read More →
Monday April 29, 2019 10:55am - 11:45am CDT
Salon F
Learn how your classroom or library can partner with authors from across the country to get kids excited about reading and writing. Connecting directly with authors has many benefits. Students see the face behind the story. Asking questions and hearing responses from authors demystifies the writing process and opens up a world of possibilities for students. Once students visit with an author, whether virtually or in-person, they will feel a deeper connection to that author’s work and will be more likely to expand that interest in reading to other titles. The benefits are endless, and connecting with authors is easier than many educators think. The truth is that authors are just as excited as educators to connect with students. In this presentation, Scholastic author Kim Ventrella will share ideas on how to get started. (Addresses R.I.S.E. Goal 3: Build a culture of reading.)
KIM VENTRELLA is the author of the middle grade novels Skeleton Tree (2017) and Bone Hollow (2019, Scholastic Press), and she is a contributor to the upcoming New Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark anthology (2020, HarperCollins). Her works explore difficult topics with big doses of... Read More →
Adults are often eager to fix all the problems in children's lives, but children are drawn to the stories where they are their own hero. They want to solve their own problems but often feel they lack the ability to do so. Real-life stories that they can relate to, fiction and nonfiction, can help them foster confidence and enable them to be independent thinkers. They're already reading the books; help them apply the principles of problem-solving to their lives. This also addresses the first R.I.S.E. goal, to sharpen the focus and strengthen instruction.
Primarily a children's author with some ventures into romance, Tamara Hart Heiner's goal is to write light into the darkness by highlighting tough social issues in an encouraging, hopeful way. She has over ten novels published and still finds time to be swim-team and soccer mom. When... Read More →
Come make LED-based paper airplanes, cubes, and pictures and learn about an initiative to put inexpensive STEM kits into the hands of parents and students to help them explore basic circuits.
Associate Professor of Instructional Design and Technology, The University of Memphis
Craig E. Shepherd is an associate professor of instructional design and technology at The University of Memphis. His research interests include technology use to facilitate collaboration and community formation in formal and informal learning environments. My website URL directs... Read More →
Is there a way to establish a culture of reading -- and raise BIG library funds -- in a way that leaves you feeling energized rather than all worn out? YES! Come get the details about planning and promoting a read-a-thon at your school.
Hello! I'm Julie Olson, a former elementary teacher-librarian in Conway and in DePere, Wisconsin (intermediate and middle school). I’m also the owner of a Teachers Pay Teachers store called "That Library Girl.”
Tuesday April 30, 2019 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Salon F
The 2019/2020 Arkansas Diamond and Charlie May Simon Book Award titles have been chosen, and we are excited to share them with you! Let us introduce these outstanding books to you through book talks and curated lists of resources that are sure to help you build a culture of reading in your building.
Library Media Specialist, Pine Bluff School District
Margie Nanak – Margie Nanak has been a Library Media Specialist in the Pine Bluff School District for 21 years, and is currently at 34th Avenue Elementary School. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, and represents the Arkansas Literacy Association on the Charlie May Simon... Read More →
Shelly Porter grew up in Western Kansas and became a Northwest Arkansas transplant in 2001. She received her BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arkansas Fort Smith in 2006 and her MLIS from San Jose State University in 2016. Shelly has participated in summer institutes... Read More →
Tuesday April 30, 2019 8:30am - 9:20am CDT
Salon G
