69th MRA Conference: Full Schedule

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

10:30am EST

B is for Belonging LIMITED

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

River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Creating a sense of belonging starts with building strong, meaningful foundations through connection. When kids feel accepted as they form their identities, there are positive mental health effects. In this session, many ideas and literacy connections will be shared to create a classroom atmosphere where kids see themselves reflected and respected.

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 10:30am - 11:30am EST
River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Elementary (K-5) Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Culturally Responsive Instruction, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ), Literacy Educator Preparation, Social-Emotional Learning and Wellness

1:00pm EST

Writing from Scratch: Whip Up Delicious Writing Lessons Your Students Will Eat Up! LIMITED

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

River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Motivating our young writers to take creative "whisks" can be tricky at the elementary level. In this practical, you-can-do-it session, you will learn strategies for young writers to add some flavor to their writing. Through demonstrations, video clips, and oodles of ideas, you’ll be excited to go back to the classroom and try some of these writing recipes with just the right dash of fun.

Speakers

Shannon Anderson

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

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

Elementary (K-5) Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Foundational Writing Skills, Writing in the Content Areas, Written Expression

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

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

10:30am EDT

Making Mischievous Writers LIMITED

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

River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

In this session, we will explore a very unique writing kit that includes unorthodox writing prompts and artifacts that will inspire students to write in a way that is joyful, meaningful, and a little mischievous. The presenter will share the method behind the madness for what is a truly fun and unique writing experience.

Speakers

Jonah Lane-Moore

7th Grade English Teacher, Michigan Virtual Charter Academy

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

Middle School to Post Secondary (6-12+)

Strand(s) Foundational Writing Skills, Social-Emotional Learning and Wellness, Written Expression

12:30pm EDT

Unbound: Books Not Boundaries LIMITED

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

River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Our session is for teachers, school administrators, school librarians, and public librarians. This presentation will detail a plan for how to establish a program where school students access their community library catalog in class, order books online, and the public library processes the requests and delivers the books to the schools.

Speakers

Patti Skinner

Director of Library Services, West Shore Community College

Ingrid Fournier

Branch Manager - Scottville, Mason County District Library

After a 30 year career as public school teacher (grades 3-8), I stepped into the role of Branch Manager at the Scottville Library which is part of the Mason County District Library (Ludington and Scottville). Collaborating with our local schools, Westshore Community College, the Scottville... Read More →

Sunday March 9, 2025 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

Literacy Coaching

Strand(s) Community and Family Literacy, Diverse Literature for Children and Young Adults, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ)

1:45pm EDT

Helping Students Connect to Text-Based Assessments and Facilitating Creative Essay Writing LIMITED

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

River Overlook C (DeVos Place - Upper Level)

In this session, teachers will learn ways to help middle and high school students connect to informational texts. Teachers will then learn how to use those student connections to inspire students to write creative text-based assessment essays.

Speakers

Liz Ropp

Literacy Coach, KEYS Grace Academy

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

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

Strand(s) Assessment and Evaluation, Writing in the Content Areas, Written Expression