69th MRA Conference: Full Schedule

Add sessions to your personal schedule to register your attendance (Check-In).

10:30am EST

Maximizing Phonics Success: Practical Strategies for Multisensory Engagement and Orthographic Mapping FULL

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST

River Overlook F (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Embracing multisensory approaches while teaching phonics is crucial for enhancing students' ability to orthographically map phonics concepts, supporting reading, spelling, and writing. The session aims to deepen understanding of approaches and impact on student learning. Moreover, we’ll share practical ideas that educators can seamlessly integrate into their classrooms next week

Speakers

Jen Vanderground

Faculty of Literacy Instruction, Grand Valley State University

Ellie Esman

Preservice Teacher, Grand Valley State University

Tyler Peery

Preservice Teacher

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST
River Overlook F (Devos Place - Upper Level)

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

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

10:30am EST

Exploring the Early Literacy Assessment System Guide: A Tool to Drive and Support Early Literacy through the Development of a Balanced Assessment System LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST

Gallery Overlook D (Devos Place - Upper Level)

In this session, participants will be introduced to the Early Literacy Assessment System (ELAS) guide and how it can be used to develop key ideas and principles about the development and assessment of literacy, and how those ideas contribute to assessment system models that can be designed and implemented to support the literacy achievement of all Michigan students.

Speakers

Dr. Melissa Usiak

Assistant Professor, Executive Director, Michigan State University, Michigan ASCD

Truly excited to share resources with you around SEL. We need each and every member in our school communities leading this work. This is a session for ALL!

Ellen Vorenkamp

Professional Learning Director, Michigan Assessment Consortium

Ellen Vorenkamp has worked in the field of education for the past 30+ years. She currently serves as the Professional Learning Director for the Michigan Assessment Consortium (MAC).In addition, she is a lead for the FAME program through MDE, a board member for the MAC and a private... Read More →

Saturday March 8, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Gallery Overlook D (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Literacy Coaching

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

1:00pm EST

Museum Visits as Literacy-Learning Opportunities: A Look at The Henry Ford’s Literacy-Focused Programming LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

River Overlook E (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Museum visits can provide an abundance of learning opportunities, but how can we support early literacy during these visits? Learn how The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, MI is centering literacy in its programming and creating opportunities for young learners to expand and strengthen their reading skills during their time spent within the exhibit halls.

Speakers

Lori Petrelius

Museum Programs Manager, The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Hi there, I'm Lori! I'm a relocated Yooper living in the Metro Detroit area. I am the museum programs manager at The Henry Ford and an advocate for children's literacy programs. I can't wait to connect with you!

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
River Overlook E (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Appropriate for All Levels

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

1:00pm EST

Building Foundational Literacy Through Interactive Writing: A Collaborative Approach LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Grand Gallery A (DeVos Place)

Breath in learning from shared experiences and express it through the collaborative process of Interactive Writing. This process engages students to co-create text, enhancing their phonics, vocabulary, and sentence structure skills in authentic contexts. This session provides practical, hands-on strategies aligned to empower educators with the tools to bolster foundational literacy development. Audience: PreK-2 classroom teachers, literacy coaches, administrators, special education, EL educators.

Speakers

Jill Erfourth

Elementary Literacy Consultant/Coach, Utica Community Schools

Susan Meadows

Elementary Literacy Coach, Utica Community Schools

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Grand Gallery A (DeVos Place)

Elementary (K-5)

Strand(s) Early Language and Literacy, Foundational Reading Skills, Foundational Writing Skills, Writing in the Content Areas, Written Expression

1:00pm EST

We Like Big Words and We Cannot Lie: Supporting Grades K-5 Students through Word Study, Decoding, and the English Language LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Grand Gallery E (DeVos Place)

Find success in word study! This session will highlight practices and strategies for supporting all students with their decoding and morphological awareness across kindergarten through 5th grade. Tips and tricks will be shared from Mesmer’s “Big Words for Young Readers” and Michigan’s Literacy Essentials K-3 & 4-5 documents.

Speakers

Meghan Block

Chad Waldron

Marie Berrell Endowed Professor of Literacy, Central Michigan University

Andy J. Schoenborn

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Grand Gallery E (DeVos Place)

Elementary (K-5) Literacy Coaching

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

2:30pm EST

Lit Everywhere: Dynamic Research-Supported Literacy Tools for Learning In and Out of School LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

Grand Gallery C (DeVos Place)

Seeking a literacy resource to enhance instruction & engage families? There's an app, a show, and a Michigan platform for that! Explore the PreK-Grade 5 literacy program, Read, Write, ROAR!, aligned with Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy. Discover ways to support literacy development in and out of school (e.g., summer learning & family engagement efforts) with this free resource!

Speakers

Erin Pell

Project Director, Instructional Applications, MAISA

Erin is a dynamic and versatile educator with a passion for early literacy. She earned her bachelor's degree in Education from Michigan State, a master's in Reading Instruction from Concordia, and has spent over a decade honing her skills as a classroom teacher and literacy coach... Read More →

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 →

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Grand Gallery C (DeVos Place)

Appropriate for All Levels

Strand(s) Community and Family Literacy, Digital Literacy, Early Language and Literacy

2:30pm EST

Word Wizard: Casting Spells with Elementary Vocabulary FILLING

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

Grand Gallery B (DeVos Place)

Do your students have foundational reading skills but struggle with comprehension? Are you a preschool teacher and want to set up your students for success? This session will explain the significant role that vocabulary plays in reading comprehension, offer protocols to follow for explicitly teaching vocabulary, and how you can improve your day to day word choice in your classroom.

Speakers

Karen Roys

Literacy Coach / Early Math Specialist, Dryden Community Schools

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Grand Gallery B (DeVos Place)

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

Strand(s) Early Language and Literacy, Language Comprehension

2:30pm EST

40 Ways to Spark a Love of Reading FULL

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Inspire your students to enjoy reading with these 40 creative ideas you can use for years to come in your classroom, library, or school! Reading for pleasure leads to improved reading comprehension, writing skills, vocabulary, spelling, and grammatical development. Most importantly, reading for pleasure is crucial for developing life-long, avid readers.

Speakers

Shannon Anderson

Author, Brain Coach, Professor, Motivational Speaker, www.shannonisteaching.com

Shannon Anderson has taught for 25 years, from first grade through college level. She also served as the gifted coordinator for her school district and on the board of directors for the Indiana State Literacy Association. A highlight of her teaching career was being named one of the... Read More →

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Elementary (K-5) Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Community and Family Literacy, Early Language and Literacy, Literacy Educator Preparation

2:30pm EST

From the Author Toolbox - Using Mentor Texts for Reading It In and Writing It Out LIMITED

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

Gallery Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Help students enjoy ‘reading it in and writing it out’ by embracing their author mojo. Hear how a former classroom teacher and published picture book author uses mentor texts to mine ideas, format stories, and hone craft. Explore lessons, games, and activities that provide the space and opportunity for students to have their voices heard and to represent their own communities.

Speakers

Cindy Williams Schrauben

Author, Cindy Williams Schrauben Books

Cindy Williams Schrauben lives in west Michigan where she writes books for children that range from the truly serious to the seriously silly. When not writing or sharing her books, this award-winning author might be found dissecting her grandsons’ shenanigans for story ideas, reading... Read More →

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Gallery Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

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

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Early Language and Literacy, Foundational Writing Skills

2:30pm EST

High-Impact Literacy Tutoring: Interventions and Strategies to Move Under-Performing Students Forward FULL

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

River Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

This session will report on a university partnership that entails tutors working in schools with under performing students. There will be audience participation that highlights specifically promoting love, joy and passion for reading. Further, high-impact tutoring strategies and interventions will be featured that include: Getting to know our students as the heart of differentiating tutoring.

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 →

Saturday March 8, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
River Overlook A (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

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

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

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

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

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