69th MRA Conference: Full Schedule

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10:30am EDT

Science of Reading + Birth to Age 5 Educator, Family, and Community Engagement = Building a Reading Brain FILLING

Sunday March 9, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Gallery Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Interested in a public media resource to promote family engagement in literacy development? Join us to view the WKAR documentary, Building the Reading Brain. We'll explore how we learn to read, backed by brain science and linguistics. Participate in guided discussions, see connections to Literacy Essentials, and receive resources for immediate use in your context. Don't miss it!

Speakers

Robin Pizzo

Annie Spear

Project Director Michigan Learning Channel, MAISA

I am a passionate literacy educator, consultant, and author committed to supporting fellow educators, leaders, and community partners in service of children and families. My work is centered on literacy research for ages birth to age 10. Through my work with MAISA’s Literacy Essentials... Read More →

Laura Tortorelli

Sunday March 9, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Gallery Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Appropriate for All Levels

Strand(s) Community and Family Literacy, Early Language and Literacy, Literacy Coaching and Leadership

12:30pm EDT

Going Deeper with GELN’s Essential Practices in Early Literacy LIMITED

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT

Grand Gallery A (DeVos Place)

In this session, we will explore resources and tools that support the implementation of the GELN’s Essential Instructional Practices for Early Literacy and help the practices to thrive in your school. Come engage with resources designed to take implementation to a new level.

Speakers

Heather Phelps

Early Literacy Professional Learning Coordinator, MAISA

Heather Phelps is an Early Literacy Professional Learning Coordinator at MAISA. Heather’s background includes teaching in elementary and middle school classrooms, coaching teachers in K-12 settings, and serving in multiple leadership roles at the LEA and ISD levels. A highlight... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Grand Gallery A (DeVos Place)

Elementary (K-5)

Strand(s) Early Language and Literacy, Literacy Coaching and Leadership

1:45pm EDT

What Does Handwriting Have to Do with Reading? FULL

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

Grand Gallery C (DeVos Place)

This handwriting session dives into mirror invariance (MI) and its impact on early literacy. MI allows us to recognize objects regardless of its orientation. But, this can pose challenges for distinguishing between letters that look similar, such as b, d, or p. This can make learning to read and write difficult for children. Handwriting is crucial to address MI and reading success.

Speakers

Meagan Beam

Founder, OTTER Reading

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Grand Gallery C (DeVos Place)

Early Childhood (Birth-K) Elementary (K-5)

Strand(s) Early Language and Literacy, Foundational Reading Skills, Foundational Writing Skills

1:45pm EDT

25 Culturally Relevant Read-Alouds that Motivate Students into Independent Reading and Writing FILLING

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

River Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

This session will highlight the most recent culturally relevant children's and adolescent literature. Participants will be engaged in interactive read-aloud, how to do them and featuring books that prepare students to write and become activists for change in their community. This will be an interactive session with audience participation and resources to bring back to the classroom and use.

Speakers

Margaret Policastro

Department Chair, Professor and Director of Language and Literacy, Roosevelt University

Dr. Policastro is a professor of language and literacy at Roosevelt University where she is the director of the Literacy leadership MA program and the founding director of the Summer Reading Clinic. She teachers graduate and undergraduate courses in Language and Literacy. Dr. Policastro... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
River Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Early Childhood (Birth-K) Elementary (K-5) Literacy Coaching Middle School to Post Secondary (6-12+)

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ), Early Language and Literacy, Literacy Educator Preparation, Literacy Policy for Equity and Justice, Writing for Equity a

1:45pm EDT

Curating Dynamic & Diverse Classroom Libraries that Engage Students and Encourage Reading LIMITED

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

Grand Gallery B (DeVos Place)

This session provides elementary school teachers with the tools and resources needed to build a classroom library that packs a powerful punch and gets kids to spend more time reading. The presenter will share evidence-based practices, tips & tricks for library management, book acquisition suggestions, and titles that interest and inspire young readers. Attendees will have the chance to win a Birdie's Book Box filled with 35 books to take home and add to their K-5 elementary classroom libraries.

Speakers

Alyce Hartman

Founder & Executive Director, Birdie's Bookmobile

Alyce Hartman is a dedicated urban educator and curriculum developer with over ten years of experience in teaching and the non-profit sector. She specializes in early language, literacy, and diverse and culturally relevant literature for children and young adults. She teaches STEAM... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Grand Gallery B (DeVos Place)

Elementary (K-5) Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults, Early Language and Literacy