A Message from CCIRA President,
Jessica Rickert
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HOPE
Seven is a significant number for some people for many reasons. It’s often found in the Bible, is a favorite among sports icons (hello, John Elway), and remember the Magnificent Seven (the 1996 women's gymnastics team--Kerri Strug, anyone?).
This is week seven of the quarantine, and during this time I have focused on the theme of hope. Oprah and meditation guru Deepak Chopra have a 21 day guided meditation app focusing on hope in uncertain times with a new topic every day. This has helped me to look at this pandemic from a different lens and to seek hope each day.
It is in times like these one must focus on hope rather than despair and fear. My wish for you is to end the school year on a positive note, connect with friends, and take time to find hope in each day.
If you are interested in trying meditation, there is a free daily meditation guide offer available at chopracentermedication.com.
Take care,
Jessica
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A Message From Pam Minard,
#CCIRA21 Conference Chairperson
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“This, too, shall pass,” is the mantra that keeps going through my mind as I navigate my way through distance teaching along with many of you.
I feel fortunate that I was previously part of a staff that was encouraged to become Google educators. Although I only completed level one, it has given me the confidence and insights into how to create engaging literacy lessons for fourth graders, use technology creatively to teach my Reading Recovery students, and record shared reading and word work lessons for our precious kindergartners.
”This, too, shall pass."
Before we know it we will be back in the physical presence of the students we teach, which is the reason why many of us teach!
I know the CCIRA Literacy Conference seems a long way away now, but the “journey” has begun! The conference planning team, with feedback from attendees, has been getting this conference ready for you for the past 16 months! We look forward to putting the finishing touches on this conference before registration opens on November 1.
Over each of the next few months I will share a personal message, highlight a keynote speaker, an invited speaker, and an author. These speakers have been specially chosen to share their experience with the journey of becoming literate! Read the Communicator and join us in this journey!!
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Keynote Speaker: Lucy Calkins
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I am so excited to announce that Lucy Calkins will be our opening keynote speaker. I have personally used her Units of Study as a guide to teach writing to first graders and found them very useful. In addition, every time I have heard Lucy speak at educational conferences I have walked away more knowledgeable than when I arrived! I hope you walk away with this feeling, too!
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Featured Speaker: Pernille Ripp:
Teacher. Author. Speaker. Creator of the Global Read Aloud.
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Here's a sneak peek of what drives Pernille Ripp, in her own words:
“As educators who try to stoke the love of reading every day with all students it is easy to lose sight of the journey that a child may be on. We are merely a blip in what will hopefully become a part of a lifelong exploration of what it means to be a reader, to embrace texts as a valuable part of their life, to find themselves within the pages of a book and one day pass it on to the next generation. And so while our time with our students may be just one step, we can do everything in our power to not do more damage, to embrace these children wherever they are on their journey and help them discover or strengthen their interrelationship with reading. It starts with a question; who are you as a reader and continues with one of the greatest tools we have; listening.”
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Featured Author: Gordon Korman
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Gordon Korman has been an invited speaker at several CCIRA Literacy Conferences. He consistently shows up on our list of who educators would like to see again! As the former chairperson of Author Hospitality I have experienced his genuine passion for writing books to engage young readers.
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Do you have ideas you are willing to share with other educators?
If so, please consider presenting at CCIRA 2021.
Proposals
are being accepted through June 15, 2020.
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What's New on the CCIRA Blog?
CCIRA.blog features a wide variety of nationally renowned literacy experts, as well as talented practitioners from across Colorado. Check out our most recent posts:
- Ask First, Teach Later: Julie Wright, teacher, instructional coach, educational consultant, and co-author of What Are You Grouping For? How to Guide Small Groups Based on Readers–Not the Book (Wright & Hoonan, 2019).
- All for the Love of Books: Jennifer Allen, literacy specialist and author of Becoming a Literacy Leader and A Sense of Belonging, both published by Stenhouse.
- Entering Stories Through Mood: Trevor Bryan, #CCIRA21 Featured Speaker and author of The Art of Comprehension.
- New Learning--Forever Ours to Keep: Jennifer Allen, literacy specialist and author of Becoming a Literacy Leader and A Sense of Belonging, both published by Stenhouse.
Reading CCIRA.blog every week
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perhaps over lunch or a cup of coffee
—
builds a quick dose of professional learning into your routine. Who knows what ideas or inspiration this might spark!
If you might be interested in submitting a guest post to CCIRA.blog, please contact Hollyanna Bates (hollyannabates@gmail.com).
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Remote Teaching and Learning Tips from #CCIRA21 Featured Speaker, Lori Oczkus
- Link to article, including links to Lori's YouTube videos
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CCIRA Executive Committee
Jessica Rickert, President
:
jessrccira@gmail.com
Pam Minard,
Vice President:
pam.minard@gmail.com
Christi Walker,
Vice President Elect: christimwaker@gmail.com
Amy Ellerman
, Immediate Past President: ellermanamy
@gmail.com
Michele Warner
, State Coordinator:
bmwarner1227@comcast.net
Corina Kaskey
, Secretary:
Corina.Kaskey@summitk12.org
Sue Goodenow
, State Membership Coordinator:
smg970@gmail.com
Emily Bradley, Marketing Coordinator:
emily.bradley@weldre4.org
Stevi Quate, Partnership Chair
: steviq@gmail.com
Cathy Lynskey
, Treasurer:
clynskey2000@gmail.com
Lisa Kahn,
Administrative Assistant:
lisakahnccira@gmail.com
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Is your local council, state committee, school, or community doing something extraordinary for literacy in Colorado? Do you have a great idea to share with other educators on how to enhance literacy in the classroom? Do you know of a conference or event that CCIRA members might be interested in attending? If so, please contact Amy Ellerman (ellermanamy@gmail.com) to submit information for publication.
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