The Conference on Writing and Literature

March 1-2, 2006
University of Kansas Memorial Union Lawrence, Kansas

with
Featured Speakers

 

Jill Adams


Jill Adams will be the keynote speaker Thursday morning.  She completed her BA Degree in 1996 from the University of Northern Iowa, her Master's Degree from KU in 1999, and her PhD in English Education (T&L) in July of 2005.  She is now a lecture for a one-year appointment in English Education at KU.  Jill has always been interested in teaching writing in middle and senior high schools:  thus, her dissertation topic was "Student Perceptions of the Impact of Instant Messaging on Academic Writing."  Jill has presented at  the KATE conference,  The Writing Conference, the Arizona English Conference and others.  In addition, Jill has written Reading and Writing Multigenre Texts which was published by The Writing Conference.  In addition, Jill has attained numerous teaching awards.  Jill will present her thoughts about the teaching of writing.

 Chris Crowe


Chris Crowe attended Brigham Young University.  He then taught English and coached at his high school alma mater for 10 years before accepting a teaching position at a university in Japan, from there he moved to BYU-Hawaii for four years, and then to BYU.  He is professor and associate chairman in the English department at BYU.  Mississippi Trial, 1955 was his first young adult novel and it was named to the 2003 Best Books for Young Adults list in addition to winning several awards including the 2003 Children's Book Award from the IRA.  Getting Away with Murder:  The True Story of the Emmett Till Case, a nonficiton companion to that novel, was a unanimous selection to the 2004 Best Books for Young Adults list.  He is also the author of Presenting Mildred D. Taylor a biography of the famous Newberry Medal writing author, and an academic book, More than a Game:  Sports Literature for Young Adults.  Chris will offer a few remarks at the Wednesday evening program and will address the group at the Thursday luncheon, March 2.

BOOK SALE, AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS AND MORE

Attend the Conference on Writing and Literature. Share your ideas with the ideas of the presenters in small groups and workshop sessions. Celebrate with the young writers who have won the Writing Conference Writing Contests.  Enjoy the performance of the winning entries performed by the Forensics class at Ottawa High School  under the direction of Angie Flax.  Our keynote speaker on Thursday morning is Jill Adams, Lecturer at the University of Kansas.  Our luncheon speaker is  Chris Crowe, young adult author and professor at Brigham Young University.

Schedule of Events:

Wednesday, March 1:  6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Reception honoring Writing Contest Winners and 
Outstanding Writing Teacher Award
        
A presentation - oral interpretation of the winning entries by the members of the Forensics class at Ottawa High School under the direction of Angie Flax.

Thursday, March 2:  8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
        
Keynote Speaker:  Jill Adams, Lecturer, University of Kansas in English Education

                    "The Magic Behind Words:  Letting Students in on Writing Secrets"

 Luncheon Speaker:  Chris Crowe author of Mississippi Trial, 1955, Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case, and More than a Game:  Sports Literature for Young Adults.

Small Group Sessions

  Lori Hughes                                                      Shawnee Heights High School

                “The Magic of Portfolio Parties”

Standard: The students write effectively for a variety of audiences, purposes, and contexts

Benchmark: The students use a variety of modes of writing for different purposes and audiences

 

William Sewell                                      Central Heights High School

                        “Teach Me Elmo”

Standard: The student applies reading and writing skills to demonstrate learning.

Benchmark: The student uses effective research practice.

 

Susan Alexander                                             Perry LeCompton High School

                        “How Not to Let AYP Kill Your Creativity”  

Standard: The students write effectively for a variety of audiences, purposes, and contexts

Benchmark: The students use clear and fluent sentences.

 

James Blasingame                                           Arizona State University

            “The Mouse that Roared: A Vocabulary Lesson

                                    From Bodybuilders”

Standard: The student applies reading and writing skills to demonstrate learning.

Benchmark: The student expands vocabulary.

 

Chris Goering                                                   Kansas State University
Matt Copeland                                                 Washburn Rural High School

            “Reading to a New Tune: Connecting Contemporary Music

                        And Canonical Literature”

Standard: The student responds to a variety of texts.

Benchmark: The student uses literary concepts to interpret and respond to text.

 

Annie Heidersbach                                         Shawnee Mission West High School

            “From Tokyo to Lawrence: International Trends in Teaching”

Standard: The student applies reading and writing skills to demonstrate learning.

Benchmark: The student uses effective research practice.

 

Holly Wetmore                                               Shawnee Heights High School
Kirk Duckers                                                   Shawnee Heights High School

            “Film: A Writing and Literature Companion”

Standard: The student reads and comprehends text across the curriculum

Benchmark: The student comprehends a variety of texts.

 

Hailey Schoendaller                                         Humbolt High School

                        “ Using the Writing Workshop” 

Standard: The students write effectively for a variety of audiences, purposes, and contexts

Benchmark: The students use a variety of modes of writing for different purposes and audiences

 

Matt Copeland                                                 Washburn Rural High School

                        “Using Socratic Circles”

Standard: The student reads and comprehends text across the curriculum

Benchmark: The student comprehends a variety of texts (narrative, expository, technical

                and persuasive.)


Amanda Torbett                                           University of Kansas
Jill Adams                                                      University of Kansas
 And others

                    "Thematic Units: Making Content and Skills Connect"

Standard: The student reads and comprehends text across the curriculum

Benchmark: The student comprehends a variety of texts


 A Regional Conference for
Elementary, Junior High/Middle, and 
Senior High School Teachers of English


Up to 3 hours of graduate credit may be earned from the University of Kansas, Department of Teaching & Leadership.
E-mail for details:Jill Adams
Conference Registration

 

 

 

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