Session 1

Out of the Box and Into the Heart

Presenter:  Tammie Lamphere

Grades: 3-8

Organizing a piece of writing is important for students to know. Yet, how do we move past the “boxed” curriculum that’s mandated to us by state standards and administration, to matters of the heart? Finding one’s voice within a canned curriculum will be explored within this workshop, as well as investigating the ways we can balance what we’re required to teach and what we decide to teach as thoughtful educators. Tammie Lamphere is a 4th grade maintenance bilingual teacher at Zia Elementary in APS.

The Art of Translation

Presenter:  Lexie Graham

Grades: 9-12

What do our students relate to? In this presentation, we will explore some of the many variations of literature. Participants can expect to translate and create poetry of different genres. Together we will bridge the gap between poetry and a new generation. Modern meets Classic. Lexie Graham is a English and Photography teacher at Valencia High School in Los Lunas.

Writing About Students, Revealing the Teacher

Presenter: Sharon Head

Grades: K-12

How do teachers assess and write about students?  How do our words and actions in formal and informal settings reveal who has power and who does not?  How are the ways that we write about students more descriptive of the teacher than the student?  In this demonstration, the performance of a scripted Individualized Educational Program (IEP) meeting will (hopefully) incite valuable critique and self-reflection. Sharon Head is a special education teacher in APS.

Writing Across the Curriculum

Presenter: Rubi Maldonado

Grades: K-8

Participants will learn different ways to implement writing in their science and social studies lesson plans through the use of fun and creative activities in their classroom. They will participate in science and social studies activities that will engage them to create thoughtful writing. Rubi Maldonado is a 2nd grade teacher at La Mesa Elementary School in APS.

Session 2

Whose History Matters? Going Beyond the Textbook

Presenters: Christine Laffler and Niki McKay

Grades: 5-12

This interactive workshop will offer techniques that examine history from multiple perspectives. Join us as we explore our places in history and work towards developing research topics in American and World History. Christine Laffler is a 5th grade teacher at Hodgin Elementary School and Niki McKay is a Humanities teacher at Amy Biehl Charter High School.

Motivating Students to Write Individually and Collaboratively as they Reflect on Their Identity

Presenter: Ana Escobar

Grades: K-8

How can we motivate students to write? What can interest students to write?  Reflecting on who they are, what they like, and what is relevant to them can motivate students to write. Explore and learn fun and easy activities that can help students to better understand their self identity and improve their writing individually and collaboratively. Ana Escobar is a 3rd grade teacher at La Mesa Elementary School in APS.

Writing With Comics

Presenter: Tabitha Kline

Grades: 3-12

Wow!         Ring!         ZOOM!

Comics are a motivating form of writing for students.  Learn the basics of Comic form, practice it by creating one, and find out what standards they teach.  Discover how fun writing Comics can be! Tabitha Kline is a third grade teacher at Daniel Fernandez Elementary in Los Lunas.

Student Poets: Questioning, Critiquing, and Personalizing History

Presenter: Kelly Pearce

Grades: 2-6

Have you ever wondered how poetry could spice up your lessons and help your students think critically about history – both ours and theirs? Join me on a journey to analyze – and experiment – with different forms of poetic prose and their impacts on student learning. Let’s give voice to the power and passion of poetry, so that students can question the past in a more meaningful way that goes beyond the textbook.

Kelly Pearce teaches fifth grade at Vista Grande Elementary School in Rio Rancho.