Friday Morning Workshops

Please note: this schedule is subject to change. Check back often for updated information.

Friday, October 19, 10:30 a.m. to Noon

Preschool Learning Begins with Books - Part I
Sally Anderson, Executive Director, Vermont Center for the Book, Chester, VT

In this session, participants will learn how to choose wonderful books that can become the central elements for a variety of learning experiences affecting a child�s emotional and intellectual growth. (Part II will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday.)
Target Audience: LS, PM, PS, TR

Organizing Student Conferences
Sherries Oakman, Student Coordinator, Sonoma County Library Literacy, Santa Rosa, CA

Adult learners have organized successful conferences in California. Learn how to facilitate the process of empowering students to become involved. Students are welcome, too. You�ll get helpful ideas from a former literacy student.
Target Audience: PM, PS, STU, Student-friendly

Building Public Support for Volunteer Literacy Programs
Kevin Smith, Executive Director, LVA-New York State, Inc., Buffalo, NY

Despite the very good work you are doing, public money to support your program is still hard to come by. We will discuss ways to "sell" your program to elected officials.
Target Audience: BM, GA, PM

Marketing as if Your Organization Depended on It!
Pat Wagner, Co-owner, Pattern Research, Inc., Denver, CO

Marketing is much more than press releases and brochures. Marketing is awareness and response: awareness of what your customers need and want, and responding to them. Learn how to do a marketing audit, write a simple marketing plan, and answer the hardest questions of your most valuable literacy customers.
Target Audience: BM, PM, PS

No More Mr. Nice Guy: Learning Disabilities and the Law
June J. Crawford, Learning Disabilities Program Director, National Institute for Literacy, Washington, DC

In the past ten years, learning disabilities has developed into a legal issue that is gaining much attention from public and private agencies. In this session, the presenter will trace a brief history of learning disabilities in the United States, discuss the current legislation and government policies that govern how we work with adults with learning disabilities, and then open the session to discussion and questions to determine how these policies and changes affect volunteer literacy programs.
Target Audience: PM, STU, TR, TU

Integrating EFF and ESOL
Chris Koehler, Program Director, St. James ESL Program, Seattle, WA

Explore the uses of Equipped for the Future (EFF) through role-plays and small group activities for goal-setting. Learn how to do lesson planning with EFF standards.
Target Audience: BM, PM, PS, TU, TR

National Issues Forums: Tools to Help Learners Become EFFective Members of Their Community
Taylor Willingham, Consultant, Austin-Pacific Consulting Co., Salado, TX

Every year thousands of community members join together in town hall meetings to deliberate difficult issues. Learners� voices are missing from these conversations, and yet the National Issues Forums model is not only an excellent way to engage learners in solving the problems of their communities, it is a tool that is consistent with the philosophy and standards of Equipped for the Future (EFF).
Target Audience: GA, LS, STU

Communicating Across Cultures: American Culture and Values
Liang Ho, Diversity and Cross-Cultural Consultant and Trainer, Chicago, IL

This session will identify key American cultural values and practices and contrast them with those of other origins, including Asian, Pacific, Latin American, African, and European. Students are invited to discuss learning style and communication differences and cultural adaptations.
Target Audience: STU (ESOL)

Poverty, Racism, and Literacy: Making Connections, Making Change - Part I
Mary Ann Corley, Director, National Center for Literacy and Social Justice, River Ridge, LA

Cultural dissonance between instructor and learners, particularly those living in poverty and with the effects of racism, may play a role in learner attrition. Participants will examine how instructor beliefs and values are communicated to learners. They will learn about the hidden rules of behavior among persons living in poverty, the effects of internalized oppression on learner performance, and the implications for practice. The workshop will include discussion and brainstorming of strategies that support learner retention and begin the change process to make literacy services culturally relevant and responsive to the needs of all learners. (Part II will be offered at 3:30 p.m. Friday.)
Target Audience: BM, PM, PS

More Original, But Mostly Borrowed and Stolen, Creative ESOL Ideas
Nancy Williams, ESOL Program Director, LV of the Lowcountry, Hilton Head Island, SC

Ninety percent of students remember what they say and do. Learn how to enliven your ESOL lessons with games, songs, humor, and other activities. Participate in a variety of hands-on activities in this interactive workshop and share some of your most creative ideas.
Target Audience: STU, TR, TU, Student-friendly

Listening to Learners
Carol Morris, Director, LV of Lake County, Waukegan, IL
Panel of Adult Learners from around the United States

Adult learners know literacy programs and libraries from the inside out! A panel of adult learners will share their educational experiences, offer suggestions to guide program development and inform curriculum and instruction, and respond to questions from participants.
Target Audience: BM, GA, LS, PM, PS, STU, Student-friendly

LVA Update
Marsha Tait, President, LVA, Inc., Syracuse, NY
Vikki Jo Stewart, Chair, LVA, Inc. Board of Directors, Kingman, KS

Students are cordially invited to hear about LVA�s plans for the future. You can provide input. Come and ask questions!
Target Audience: STU

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: You Know More Than You Think! - Part I
Judy Cheatham, LVA, Inc. Board of Directors, Professor of English and Director of Adult Education, Greensboro College, Greensboro, NC

This two-session interactive workshop will draw parallels to participants' real-life experiences with learning their own first language, then expand the discussion to include the following: methods, materials, assessment, best practices, current research, and very practical applications to use next week! (Part II will be offered at 3:30 p.m. Friday.)
Target Audience: PS, TR, TU

Defining Board-Staff Roles and Other Knotty Dilemmas - Part I
Brenda Gray, LVA Liaison, Literacy Consultant, Seattle, WA

Using case studies and group discussion, participants will explore some of the management problems facing literacy program personnel and boards. Who should do what? How do you get board members involved in appropriate tasks? Learn how to provide ongoing board development training and how to maintain continuity of membership. Please submit questions and scenarios related to board-staff issues to the presenter at [email protected]. To ensure confidentiality, all names of programs will be changed in case studies used for discussion during the workshop. (Part II will be offered at 3:30 p.m. Friday.)
Target Audience: BM, PM, PS

It Isn't TRUTH Just Because It's in Print: Creating Critical Readers - Part I
Lester Laminack, LVA Reading Consultant, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC

Many of us grew up in a time when truth was anything presented at school, in a book, or on the evening news. Today, with advances in technology, we might add the Internet as a source of truth. Too few of us were taught to question the "texts" we read in our daily lives and as a result TRUTH is often very narrowly defined. Let's take a closer look and learn to ask such questions as: Who wrote this? What do they believe? What would they have me believe? Are there other points of view to consider? As tutors we must learn to question what we read and help our students to critically examine texts as they develop strategies for making sense of print. (Part II will be offered at 3:30 p.m. Friday.)
Target Audience: GA, LS, TU

Improving Literacy for the Family: Strategies that Work
Karlene Ball, Program Director, LV Greater New Haven, LVA Liaison, New Haven, CT

Learn some practical reading strategies that are not only successful in improving parents� reading skills but will also help parents read with their children at home. This interactive session will include sharing of ideas on educational games, suggestions for ethnic titles, and reading strategies and activities.
Target Audience: PS, STU, TR, TU, Student friendly

Student Fundraising Ideas
Tom Miller, Student Coordinator, Indy Reads, Indianapolis, IN

At Indy Reads, involving students in fundraising has led to a more active and vocal student population. Find out how you can get students more involved in your affiliate. You'll help build a stronger financial base for the program and encourage students' growth at the same time. There will be time for questions in this lecture-based presentation.
Target Audience: BM, PM, PS, STU, TU, Student-friendly

LINCS Special Collection: Technology Training Materials
Linda Perry, Coordinator, LINCS Technology Training Special Collection, Sacramento County Office of Education, Sacramento, CA
William Hawk, LINCS Associate Director, National Institute for Literacy, Washington, DC

The LINCS Technology Training Special Collection is a one-stop electronic gateway to information on high-quality technology use practices and resources materials for use in adult and family literacy programs. The current focus of the collection is on the use of technology for professional development and the improvement of instruction. Session participants will gain an understanding of the wealth of information available through the collection and assistance in/instruction on finding and using the most relevant resources. Participants will also be given an opportunity to give feedback on the collection and recommend additions. This collection is maintained by the Adult Literacy and Technology Network (ALTN) and the Sacramento County Office on Education (SCOE).
Target Audience: BM, GA, LS, PM, PS, TR, TU

Cyberstep: Multimedia Materials for Adult Learners
Andrea Key, Coordinator, Technology Projects, Technology Services Division, Sacramento County Office of Education, Sacramento, CA
George Phillips, Instructional Designer, Technology Services Division, Sacramento County Office of Education, Sacramento, CA

Leap across the digital divide with a boost from Cyberstep multimedia adult learning and teaching tools. Participate in live demonstrations of interactive websites, videos, and CD-ROMS all created to meet the special needs of adult learners, their teachers, and tutors. Built on research-based frameworks, Cyberstep products are as easy to use as they are effective in achieving successful measured outcomes. Developed under a multi-million dollar federal grant, these materials are available free or at minimal cost.
Target Audience: GA, PM, PS, STU, TR, TU   Location: Computer Lab

For general information call Peggy May at 843/671-2008 or E-mail to [email protected]