69th MRA Conference: Full Schedule

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

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

Good Grammar: Creating Joyful and Affirming Language Lessons That Work for More Students FULL

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

Gallery Overlook D (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Grammar is often taught with a focus on error correction, rather than an invitation to craft, joy, and play—and so often the results are less than desired. This session will offer an alternative: practical, novel, joyful, and human solutions for teaching grammar in effective, equitable, enjoyable ways. Participants will walk away with research-based lessons that can be implemented tomorrow.

Speakers

Matthew Johnson

ELA Teacher, Ann Arbor Public Schools

Saturday March 8, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Gallery Overlook D (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Middle School to Post Secondary (6-12+)

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Language Comprehension, Multilingual and Multidialectal Literacy

2:30pm EST

Using Visuals and Poetry Writing to Illuminate Student Learning FILLING

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

Gallery Overlook D (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Come explore visual resources of an historical time, like photos from the Library of Congress. Next, participate in a poetry writing activity, starting with a group pantoum poem. Then create a pantoum, acrostic, or elegy, about a person, event, or place about that period. Leave knowing ways poetic forms help students express creatively their learning about the Five Ws and H of an historical era.

Speakers

Anna Roseboro

Mentor/Coach

Anna J. Small Roseboro is widely known for her work with groups like the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), the Conference on English Leadership, the California Association of Teachers of English, the Michigan Council of Teachers of English, and the California Association of Independent Schools . With 40 years experience in public and private schools, she is a National Board Certified Teac... Read More →

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

Middle School to Post Secondary (6-12+)

Strand(s) Assessment and Evaluation, Culturally Responsive Instruction, Writing in the Content Areas

10:30am EDT

Empowering Literacy with Scaffolded Writing and AI Tools Across Disciplines FULL

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

Gallery Overlook D (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Join us for an engaging and transformative session that delves into the profound impact of scaffolded writing and AI tools on literacy across all content areas. This session is designed to equip educators with practical strategies to enhance literacy instruction, support all learners, and integrate innovative AI tools into their teaching practices.

Speakers

Jenelle Williams

Literacy Consultant, Oakland Schools

Jenelle Williams joined the Leadership and School Improvement unit at Oakland Schools in 2017 following 18 years of experience in public schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She has served as a classroom teacher, IB Middle Years Programme Coordinator, teacher... Read More →

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

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

Strand(s) Digital Literacy, Disciplinary Literacy, Writing in the Content Areas

12:30pm EDT

Moving Past Book Trauma for Neurodivergent Readers! Learn How to Reduce the Struggle so Students Can Strive in Reading and Writing. FULL

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

Gallery Overlook D (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Neurodivergent readers struggle with executive functions and self-regulation which form barriers when connecting to texts. In this session, we explore how some readers gasp while breathing in the words or freeze while breathing out the appropriate marks on paper. You will learn about co-regulation and how to use our Take Back to Class accommodation guide to build their reading and writing muscles!

Speakers

Nancy Roop

Publisher, Developmental Texts, LLC

I publish early chapter books in a developmental format to support reading comprehension with sensory-friendly, early chapter books. Using dialog, nonfiction, and storytelling, the reader's path is wrapped around the topic which is real, relatable, and relevant!I promote neurodiversity... Read More →

Megan Cavanaugh

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
Gallery Overlook D (Devos Place - Upper Level)

Elementary (K-5)

Strand(s) Foundational Writing Skills, Language Comprehension, Social-Emotional Learning and Wellness