Monday, October 8, 2007

Reno Bound!

Anyone else headed to Reno? Want to meet up?

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

UCTE Celebrating Differences Conference Oct. 26

Guest Speakers:

Pat Mora: “Pat Mora’s latest collection, Adobe
Odes, …turns its back on hopelessness and finds a
way to delight in our everyday world of food,
literature, nature, religion and, yes, people,” writes
Tucson Weekly. An award-winning author of poetry,
nonfiction, and children's books, Pat Mora is
completing Dear Teacher: Seven Practices for Creative
Educators. She is the founder of the family literacy initiative El día
de los niños/El día de los libros, Children’s Day/Book Day now housed
at the American Library Association.

Stefinee Pinnegar: Stefinee is currently a
teacher educator in the McKay School of Education
at Brigham Young University. Her vast experience as
an educator has led her to conduct her own studies
of child development and learning. Dr. Pinnegar
enjoys working with other educators to help serve
linguistically, culturally, and learning diverse students.

Workshop Sessions:

• Teaching styles
• Learning styles
• Differentiated instruction
• Types of literature
• Types of writing
• Strategies, and much more!

Register at: http://community.weber.edu/uctela/conference.htm#registration

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Saturday, September 29, 2007

Book Challenge

I hope you all appreciate the irony; I had my first "book challenge" on Friday during the sponsored banned book week by ALA. I set up a display with books from our library that are on the ALA top 100 challenged book list. I also discussed it with some of the students.

On Friday a parent brought in the 2008 Guinness Book of World Records with bookmarks of "inappropriate pictures". I didn't speak with them. They just spoke with the secretaries in the front office. I never thought I'd peg myself as a "liberal ALA librarian" but it made me a little mad.

I guess I'll talk with the principal on Monday and see what happens.

-Stephanie

Join the Nebo Reading Council and Come See James Dashner

Author James Dashner will be the featured speaker at the opening meeting for the Nebo Reading Council, Thursday, October 4, 2007, at the Grant Building (400 East 105 South, Springville, UT) at 4:00 p.m.

Dashner will be speaking about his transition from publishing in the local market (Jimmy Fincher Saga) to releasing his first national market book (The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters).

Atticus Higginbottom—better known as Tick—wishes his life were more interesting. But, as the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for. On a snowy day in November, the first letter arrives and everything in Tick’s life changes---and only time will tell if the change is for better or worse.

Given the challenge, Tick wants the chance to unravel the mystery all the way to its end by discovering the special meeting place, but Tick will only be there if he solves the clues. And, of course, if he survives. . .

Because the last line of the letter makes him a promise: Very frightening things are coming your way.

I’ve already had the chance to read this novel and it’s great. Come meet the author along with the NRC and get a sneak preview of your own. By the way, James will be a featured presenter at the Nebo Young Writer’s Conference in February as well.

The Nebo Reading Council is dedicated to promoting literacy to the communities served by the Nebo School District and beyond. Membership dues are $20, which includes membership in the Utah Council of the International Reading Association. First year teachers, interns, and students may join for $10. You do not need to be a teacher to join the organization. We invite anyone who is interested in the promotion of reading and literacy to become a member.

T. A. Barron to Speak

T.A. Barron cordially invites you to a presentation and book signing hosted by Davis Reads, Wednesday, October 3, 2007, 7:00 p.m. at Northridge High SChool, 2430 North 400 West, Layton, UT 84041.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Cleaning House the Clean Sweep Way

Just letting all of you know about my latest national publication.

Visit Desert Saints Magazine at the following link:

http://desertsaintsmagazine.com/2007/09/01/cleaning-house-the-clean-sweep-way/