2017
The Heart of the Matter:
Relationship and Imagination
in Early Childhood Education
SCHOOL LITERACY CULTURE
O
n behalf of Rice University School Literacy and Culture (SLC), we would like to
welcome you to our 18th annual Early Literacy Summit. We are thrilled to have
you with us for the day as we share practices that have the power to strengthen
every classroom. This year, our conference focuses on the vital role both relationship
and imagination play in a young child’s development. Relationship and imagination, we
believe, are the “heart of the matter” in early childhood education.
Participants will be able to choose from a few featured sessions rather than a single keynote,
as well as attend sessions that run through alternating lunch hours. As you experience
today’s sessions, we hope you are planning how to incorporate new ideas and strategies
into your own classroom. We anticipate that you will leave with new knowledge of how to
enhance learning opportunities for all young children. While preparing children to be
successful 21st century leaders and learners can be a daunting challenge, we know that it
is possible to provide opportunities to master these contemporary skills while continuing
to provide a classroom environment and early childhood experiences that meet a young
child’s developmental needs. Creativity, the manifestation of a great imagination, is one of
the key 21st century skills after all.
Whether this is your first time at Early Literacy Summit or your 18th, we look forward to
continuing our work together to ensure that all children in the greater Houston community
are given a solid early childhood foundation for lifelong learning.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
Brooke Brown, Chair
Karen Capo
Sharon Dworaczyk
Margaret Immel
Jordan Gainey Khadam-Hir
Emily Merriweather, Co-Chair
Debbie Paz
Vanessa Quezada Vierra, Co-Chair
2017 EARLY LITERACY SUMMIT SCHEDULE
8–8:30 a.m.Registration
8:30–10:10 a.m.
Session 1 (8:30–8:40 Conference overview)
10:25–11:25 a.m.
Session 2
11:40 a.m–12:40 p.m.
Session 3 for Group A (Red) and Lunch for Group B (Blue)
12:55–1:55 p.m.
Session 3 for Group B (Blue) and Lunch for Group A (Red)
2:10–3:10 p.m.
Session 4
3:10–3:30 p.m.
Reflections and Evaluations (Will occur at the end of session 4.)
1
Important Information
PARKING
All participants are asked to park in West Lot 4. The gates in the lot will open automatically as you leave the conference. There
will be no need to receive a validation or use a credit card when you depart. Participants parking in any other lot will be
responsible for any charges that are incurred.
SESSIONS
Today as you enter sessions, you will be given handouts. Once inside, you are asked to find a seat. We ask that you not
save seats, as each session is first come, first served. While we hope to be able to accommodate everyone’s first choice in
sessions, there may be some sessions that fill to capacity. Due to fire code, we will not be able to accommodate additional
people standing or sitting on the floor.
SCHEDULE
You will find a schedule for today’s Summit on page 1. Please note the split lunch and session 3. You will notice on your
name tag there is a colored dot. This dot designates when you will attend lunch and when you will attend session 3. It is
essential that you attend the designated session at the designated time. If you have a red dot on your name tag, you are
part of group A; you will attend session 3 from 11:40-12:40 and then lunch from 12:55-1:55. If you have a blue dot on your
nametag, you are part of group B; you will attend lunch from 11:40-12:40 and then session 3 from 12:55-1:55.
Reflections and evaluations will occur from 3:10-3:30. Once completed, you will take your reflection sheet down to the
registration area. There will be several volunteers standing next to baskets on the registration table. Please place your
evaluations in the designated baskets. Once you turn in your reflection, you will be issued a certificate for attending today’s
conference.
LUNCH
Today, you will be treated to lunch at the South Servery. Shuttles will provide rides to and from the servery. You can board
a shuttle directly outside the front doors under the breezeway. The servery is an easy 10-15 minute walk, and you are
welcome to follow the signs or the map in your program to the servery at your designated time. You must be wearing
your nametag with the correct dot color to enter the servery. The name tag will serve as your ticket into the servery. Lunch
is served buffet style. Once finished dining, you are asked to clear your own table. Volunteers will be available to answer
questions, guide you to the trash receptacles, etc.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Coffee and water are available on the second floor. We ask that all food and beverages other than bottled water be left
outside the classrooms.
ASSISTANCE
If you have a question, return to the registration tables and we will be happy to help you.
2
SESSION ONE 8:30-10:10 a.m.
Loose Parts: Advancing Interdisciplinary Curiosity Through Play
PRESENTERS:
Maggie Abrego
Kristi Carreon
Pre-K Teacher, Kujawa EC/PK IB World School, Aldine ISD
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Language Arts Instructional Coach, Cypresswood Elementary, Aldine ISD
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Join us as we explore different ways to use collections of everyday items, items from nature, and other “loose parts” to
advance curiosity and learning in young children through play. We will address how to plan and implement open-ended and
engaging activities for all ages. We will also share practical solutions for finding, using, storing, and displaying loose parts.
AUDIENCE: All Participants
LOCATION: Room 107
So What About the Other ABC’s?
Exploring Affect, Behavior and Cognition in Early Education
PRESENTERS:
Karen Capo
Whitney Zisman
Director, School Literacy and Culture
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
This year’s Summit challenges each of us to consider the importance of imagination and relationship in young children’s
development. These topics converge beautifully in the domain of executive functioning—a set of neurologically-based
skills that allow children (and adults) to manage emotions, regulate behavior and engage in complex thinking. Join us as
we explore just what executive functioning is, consider why it is critically important to young children’s socio-emotional
and cognitive development and take a practical, hands-on look at 20 everyday activities that impact children’s development in
this domain.
AUDIENCE: All Participants
LOCATION: Room 108
The Magic of Learning Skills Through Play
in a Pre-Kindergarten Classroom
PRESENTERS:
Griselda Balbuena
Emily Hughes
Carin Malmer
Bilingual Pre-K Teacher, Lion Lane School, Spring Branch ISD
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Pre-K Oral Language Specialist, Kujawa EC/PK IB World School, Aldine ISD
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Pre-K Teacher, Barbara Bush Elementary, Houston ISD
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
This interactive workshop will focus on creating developmentally appropriate pre-k classroom environments that support
learning through play. Experienced pre-k teachers from three different public school districts will share practical
research-based strategies for teaching skills through intentionally designed learning centers.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 109
Pre-K
Dramatic Play in the Classroom:
So Much More Than a Home Center
PRESENTERS:
Karen Gillaspia
Claudia Zubia
Pre-K Teacher, Hayes Elementary, Katy ISD
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Kindergarten Teacher, Hayes Elementary, Katy ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
“For children, play is serious learning.” — Mr. Rogers
Dramatic play can be aligned with pre-k and kindergarten curriculum guidelines across all content areas. Hear how two
public school teachers create thematic dramatic play centers that harness the power of pretending.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 110
Pre-K
3
Loose Parts and Assembly Exploration with Toddlers,
Twos and Threes
PRESENTER:
Susan Meriwether
Toddler Teacher of Twos and Threes, St. Francis Episcopal School
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
“Loose parts” are described as open-ended materials that can be used and manipulated in different ways. As children
develop and explore loose parts over time, they move from object exploration to a complex system of play which includes
assembly exploration. Investigate the thoughtful process of observing the young child’s intent and cognitive development
during four types of assembly exploration. Learn how to integrate safe and appropriate loose parts into children’s play
and the environment.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 112
Toddlers­­–Threes
Super Scientists
PRESENTERS:
Maria Gonzales
Diana Morales
Pre-K Inclusion Teacher, Hinojosa EC/PK Center, Aldine ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Pre-K Teacher, Hinojosa EC/PK Center, Aldine ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Find your science superpower! Workstations will be set up so teachers can explore and conduct science experiments.
Ideas and activities will be presented so you can go back to your classroom and begin right away. So, throw on those lab
coats, put on the goggles and get ready to have fun!
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 113
Threes–Kindergarten
The Heart of the Classroom: Building Community (and Skills)
Through Morning Message, Class Meetings and News of the Day
PRESENTERS:
Flora Henry-Smith
Anne Jackson
Nanette Musters
Ashley Souza
Pre-K Teacher, Fonwood Early Childhood Center, Houston ISD
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Kindergarten Teacher, St. Mark’s Episcopal School
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
First Grade Teacher, Mark Twain Elementary School, Houston ISD
Kindergarten Teacher, Lakewood Elementary School, Tomball ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Our presentation team spans different grade levels and a variety of educational settings, yet we have all energized our
teaching through the use of child-generated, authentic messages that give meaning to literacy skills, build a community of
learners and empower students to take ownership of their own learning. Join us as we share practical classroom strategies
that allow us to build relationships with children while we build literacy skills!
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 115
Pre-K–First Grade
Supporting Parents as Play Partners
PRESENTERS:
Jordan Khadam-Hir
Michelle Staller
Assistant Director, Outreach and Education, School Literacy and Culture
Pre-K Teacher, St. Francis Episcopal School
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
This interactive session will provide ways to bring teachers and parents together as play partners for young children.
Participants will learn about the types and stages of play as well as gather dozens of ideas and resources that encourage
play for parents to use at home. Specific ways to share activities with parents will also be explored. Join us!
AUDIENCE: All Participants
LOCATION: Room 219
4
SESSION ONE 8:30-10:10 a.m.
FEATURED SPEAKER
Understanding Young Children’s Need to “Let it Go”: Meeting Up
with Elsa, Anna and Max in the Early Childhood Classroom
PRESENTER:
Patsy Cooper
Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education, Queens College, CUNY
Founder, School Literacy and Culture (formerly The Teachers Network for Early Literacy)
Certain movies and books have always held extra special appeal for young children. The question is “why?” This featured
presentation examines the ultra-popular Disney movie “Frozen” and beloved, classic picture book “Where the Wild
Things Are” to understand the three- to six-year-old’s struggle to find the necessary balance between conformity and
independence. Implications for the early childhood classroom are discussed.
AUDIENCE: All Participants
LOCATION: Hudspeth Auditorium
SESSION TWO 10:25-11:25 a.m.
The Magic of Read Aloud
PRESENTER:
Karen Lloréns
Bilingual Pre-K Teacher, Gabriela Mistral Early Childhood Center, Houston ISD
Is your storybook reading magical? Do your students beg for you to read to them? Come to this session to discover
ways to motivate your students to love literature while also building their oral language, vocabulary, comprehension and
imagination—crucial components for developing young readers. Bilingual teachers are welcome as many great read
aloud titles and strategies will be available for you as well.
AUDIENCE: All Participants
LOCATION: Room 107
A Tisket A Tasket, What’s in a Story Basket?
PRESENTERS:
Griselda Balbuena
Jackie Barret
Shanedra Burkhalter
Bilingual Pre-K Teacher, Lion Lane School, Spring Branch ISD
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Pre-K Lab Teacher, Neff Early Learning Center, Houston ISD
Pre-K Teacher, Fonwood Early Childhood Center, Houston ISD
Do you want to bring your favorite children’s books to life? Come learn about story baskets and how to use them in a preschool,
pre-k, kindergarten or first grade classroom. Story baskets enhance narrative development and comprehension in your
classroom. You will even make a story basket during the session to use immediately in your classroom.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 108
Twos–First Grade
“Hello, My Name Is …”
Using Name Curriculum Throughout the Year
PRESENTERS:
Kandy Bozeman
Brian Schultz
Lila Situ
Literacy Specialist, Cornerstone Christian Academy
Pre-K Teacher, Ralph Eickenroht Elementary School, Spring ISD
First Grade Teacher, KIPP SHINE Prep Elementary
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
What is the first word you learn as a child? What is the most important word to a child? What is the one word people write
almost every day for the rest of their lives? Names are important! A child’s name is a wonderful, developmentally appropriate
tool for individualizing literacy learning. Come learn how to use “name curriculum” as a springboard to meeting a variety
of objectives including phonological awareness, letter recognition, print awareness and more. We will explore hands-on
name activities that not only teach children to recognize their own names and those of classmates, but serve as the foundation
for learning the alphabetic principle.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 109
Threes–Kindergarten
5
Phonological What?
PRESENTER:
Laura Perez
Reading Skills/Dyslexia Specialist, Reece Academy, Aldine ISD
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
This session will not only show you how to develop the auditory skill of phonological awareness within each child,
but discover the phonological awareness continuum and its role in learning to read. Literacy research concludes that
phonological awareness is a potent predictor of reading success and is a core factor separating normal and disabled readers.
Get the big picture about the relationship between phonological and phonemic awareness. Gain knowledge in how to
plan phonological awareness lessons, group time activities and songs that can be incorporated throughout the day in any
classroom. Walk away with great ideas for making shelf-ready materials for your classroom.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 110
Threes–First Grade
Rhymers Become Readers: The Importance of Nursery Rhymes
in the First Three Years
PRESENTER:
Susan Meriwether
Teacher of Twos and Threes, St. Francis Episcopal School
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Children love nursery rhymes. Research shows that children who listen and enjoy rhymes at a young age become strong
readers. Gain an understanding of the educational value of nursery rhymes and their significant influence on child
development. Explore how to use nursery rhymes as a teaching tool and how to make nursery rhymes a routine part of
a child’s day.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 112
Infants–Threes
Introducción a las historias
PRESENTERS:
Ana Hernandez Carter
Yaritza Reyes
Bilingual Pre-K Teacher, Ninfa Laurenzo Early Childhood Center, Houston ISD
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Bilingual Kindergarten Teacher, Smith Elementary School, Alief ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Todo niño tiene una historia que contar. Mentores de School Literacy and Culture mostrarán a los participantes el poder
que tienen las historias que los niños dictan en el desarrollo oral y las habilidades literarias ya sea en una clase bilingüe o
de lenguaje dual. Historias contadas por niños de PK y K serán mostradas durante la sesión.
AUDIENCE: Bilingual Teachers
LOCATION: Room 113
of Pre-K–First Grade
Introduction to Story
PRESENTERS:
Rosana Andrade
Vanessa Vierra
Bilingual Pre-K Teacher, Bang Elementary, Cypress Fairbanks ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Bilingual Literacy Specialist, School Literacy and Culture
Did you know that you could build community, support your children’s oral language development, honor their voices,
and give them the foundation they need to become lifelong readers and writers through the stories they tell? Are you
looking for a way to strengthen your children’s comprehension when using high-quality children’s literature? Join us for
this interactive session where we will not only bring stories to life through dramatization and share what makes School Literacy
and Culture a family of storytellers, but share how these can be powerful components in your literacy curriculum.
Child-authored stories (dictated by children from pre-k through first grade) as well as a dramatization will be shared.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 115
Pre-K–First Grade
6
SESSION TWO 10:25-11:25 a.m.
I Want the Book with the Boy Who Looks Like Me
PRESENTER:
Connie Floyd
Teacher/Owner/Director, The Littlest Ones
Children need to see themselves in the classroom—books can provide this opportunity. Families, race, economics and
an understanding of how we are alike and different makes connections for children that help them know they belong.
Join us to explore favorite texts and learn how to use them in your classroom.
AUDIENCE: All Participants
LOCATION: Room 219
Springboards Into Writing
PRESENTERS:
Laurie Dreyfuss
Pansy Gee
Fourth and Fifth Grade ELA Instructional Coach, Beth Yeshurun Day School
Co-Leader of Writing and the Arts, School Literacy and Culture
Mentor and Co-Leader of Writing and the Arts, School Literacy and Culture
Need a moment or two to nurture the writer or the thinker in you? Come get a few ideas that will work as springboards for
getting your writing started. We will discuss using poetry, visual art, personal and community cultures, and a few surprises
as inspirations to start the creative juices flowing for your own compositions.
AUDIENCE: All Participants
LOCATION: Room 300
FEATURED SPEAKER
Put on Your Math Goggles®: Seeing Math in Art
PRESENTER:
Robin Ward
Professor of Mathematics and the Director for Curriculum Integration for the
Rice University School Mathematics Project
Familiarize yourself with the lives and works of the great masters and learn how to easily create math-terpieces in the
spirt of the artists. Learn how to use the lens of the visual arts to dynamically explore geometry, number sense and data
collection. Discover the best math-art connections to children’s literature.
AUDIENCE: All Participants
LOCATION: Hudspeth Auditorium
SESSION THREE (Red) LUNCH (Blue) 11:40 a.m-12:40 p.m.
Group A (Red)
Session Three: 11:40-12:40
Group B (Blue)
Lunch: 11:40-12:40
LUNCH LOCATION:
South Servery (see map)
Note: You have a colored dot located on your nametag. It is essential that you attend the appropriate session at the designated time.
Dots will be checked upon entering the doors of the servery and auditorium. Nametags are required to enter both locations.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
7
Book Extensions: I Read the Book. Now What?
PRESENTERS:
Lauren Burgess
Aime Gallardo
Phuong Nguyen
Linda Valentino
Pre-K Teacher, Presbyterian School
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Kindergarten Teacher, Briargate Elementary, Fort Bend ISD
First Grade Teacher, Jeanette Hayes Elementary, Katy ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Join us for an exciting session dedicated to using children’s literature as a tool for creative and critical thinking. We will
introduce art and writing activities to extend thinking beyond the pages in the book.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 107
Pre-K–First Grade
Poetry Matters: Using Poetry to Teach
and Reinforce Literacy Skills
PRESENTERS:
Margaret Immel
Lucy Realyvasquez
Associate Director, Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Pre-K Teacher, Kujawa EC/PK IB World School, Aldine ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
In his book “The Poetry Reader’s Toolkit,” writer Marc Polonsky says, “Poetry is an imagination machine. Good poetry,
given patience, lights up your imagination in some way. It surprises you, tickles you, gives you a nudge, or even awes you.
It might reveal a new perspective, dazzle your mind’s eye, broaden your inner vision.” As we continue our march into 21st
century early education, this highly effective literacy “tool” seems to be falling by the wayside. Join us to explore ways to
“turn on” your students’ imaginations and to teach and reinforce literacy skills—listening, speaking, reading, writing
and reasoning—as well as the research that validates the need for poetry in education.
AUDIENCE: All Participants
LOCATION: Room 108
On the Write Path
PRESENTERS:
Sherry Dubin
Debbie Lingrey
Literacy Coordinator and Dyslexia Specialist, The Shlenker School
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Consultant, School Literacy and Culture
Come experience ways to inspire young writers in pre-k through first grade. During this interactive session, you will explore
some favorite writing activities from SLC’s “Writing Across the Curriculum” presenters. These practical, fun, concrete
approaches are ready to implement when you return to your classroom.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 115
Pre-K–First Grade
Children, Literature and All That Jazz!
PRESENTER:
Barbara Brandt
Music Teacher, St. Luke’s Day School
You don’t have to be a music teacher to use children’s literature and jazz to make magic in your classroom. Research
shows the importance of a child’s ability to feel and express a steady beat, and jazz allows children to experience beats
unlike any other music genre. Jazz is about collaboration, improvisation, individuality and emotion. Consequently, jazz
allows children to cooperate, be flexible and express themselves. Join us as we learn how to make jazz come to life in your
literacy curriculum. It’s show time!
AUDIENCE: All Participants
LOCATION: Hudspeth Auditorium
8
SESSION THREE 12:30 p.m-1:30 p.m.
SESSION THREE (Blue) LUNCH (Red) 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Group A (Red)
Lunch: 12:55-1:55
LUNCH LOCATION:
South Servery (see map)
Note: You have a colored dot located on your nametag. It is essential that you attend the appropriate session at the designated time.
Dots will be checked upon entering the doors of the servery and auditorium. Nametags are required to enter both locations.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Group B (Blue)
Session Three: 12:55-1:55
Book Extensions: I Read the Book. Now What?
PRESENTERS:
Lauren Burgess
Aime Gallardo
Phuong Nguyen
Linda Valentino
Pre-K Teacher, Presbyterian School
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Kindergarten Teacher, Briargate Elementary, Houston ISD
First Grade Teacher, Jeanette Hayes Elementary, Katy ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Join us for an exciting session dedicated to using quality children’s literature as a tool for creative and critical thinking.
We will introduce art and writing activities to extend children’s understanding and thinking beyond the pages in the
book. Come discover specific ways to enhance children’s literature, making the reading process a fun and engaging one!
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 107
Pre-K–First Grade
Poetry Matters: Using Poetry to Teach
and Reinforce Literacy Skills
PRESENTERS:
Margaret Immel
Lucy Realyvasquez
Associate Director, Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Pre-K Teacher, Kujawa EC/PK IB World School, Aldine ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
In his book “The Poetry Reader’s Toolkit,” writer Marc Polonsky says, “Poetry is an imagination machine. Good poetry,
given patience, lights up your imagination in some way. It surprises you, tickles you, gives you a nudge, or even awes you.
It might reveal a new perspective, dazzle your mind’s eye, broaden your inner vision.” As we continue our march into 21st
century early education, this highly effective literacy tool seems to be falling by the wayside. Join us to explore ways to
“turn on” your students’ imaginations and to teach and reinforce literacy skills—listening, speaking, reading, writing
and reasoning—as well as the research that validates the need for poetry in education.
AUDIENCE: All Participants
LOCATION: Room 108
On the Write Path
PRESENTERS:
Sherry Dubin
Debbie Lingrey
Literacy Coordinator and Dyslexia Specialist, The Shlenker School
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Consultant, School Literacy and Culture
Come experience ways to inspire young writers in pre-k through first grade. During this interactive session, you will
explore some favorite writing activities from SLC’s “Writing Across the Curriculum” presenters. These practical, fun,
concrete approaches are ready to implement when you return to your classroom.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 115
Pre-K–First Grade
9
Children, Literature and All That Jazz!
PRESENTER:
Barbara Brandt
Music Teacher, St. Luke’s Day School
You don’t have to be a music teacher to use children’s literature and jazz to make magic in your classroom. Research
shows the importance of a child’s ability to feel and express a steady beat, and jazz allows children to experience beats
unlike any other music genre. Jazz is about collaboration, improvisation, individuality and emotion. Consequently, jazz
allows children to cooperate, be flexible and express themselves. Join us as we learn how to make jazz come to life in your
literacy curriculum. It’s show time!
AUDIENCE:
LOCATION:
All Participants
Hudspeth Auditorium
SESSION FOUR 2:10-3:10 p.m.
Sensory and Light Tables: A Unique Opportunity to Foster Creativity,
Imagination and Literacy Development
PRESENTERS:
Devin Barhanovich
Michelle Staller
Oral Language Lab Teacher, Fonwood Early Childhood Center, Houston ISD
Seminar Facilitator, School Literacy and Culture
Pre-K Teacher, St. Francis Episcopal School
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
This session will dive into the importance of both sensory and light/shadow exploration in an early childhood classroom.
There will be several examples of ways to tie literacy into these areas as well as talk about why story retelling is vital to
developing early literacy skills, social skills and creativity. You will learn how to make your own light table at home and
leave with fun and exciting ideas to try out as soon as you are back in your classroom!
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 107
Threes–Kindergarten
Phonological Fun
PRESENTERS:
Jill Charrier
Maria Gonzales
Diana Morales
Pre-K Teacher, Hinojosa EC/PK Center, Aldine ISD
Pre-K Inclusion Teacher, Hinojosa EC/PK Center, Aldine ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Pre-K Teacher, Hinojosa EC/PK Center, Aldine ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
If you want to fly, you need wings! If you want to read, you need these things! This session will show you how to build the
critical foundation children need to become future readers. Join us as we play and sing away with games, transitions and
songs you can use every day! Attendees will walk out the door with research-based strategy cards to promote phonological
awareness in the classroom.
AUDIENCE:
LOCATION:
All Participants
Room 108
10
SESSION FOUR 2:10-3:10 p.m.
Welcoming Parents Into the Rice OWL Lab:
Practical Ways to Engage Families in the Classroom
PRESENTERS:
Lori Espinoza
Debbie Paz
Rice Oral and Written Language Lab (the Rice OWL Lab) Teacher,
Gabriela Mistral Early Childhood Center, Houston ISD
Seminar Facilitator, School Literacy and Culture
Associate Director, Early Literacy and Bilingual Programs, School Literacy and Culture
Parents are regularly invited into the OWL Lab to celebrate their children’s learning and share their own family stories
and traditions, capitalizing on families’ “funds of knowledge”—those everyday practices and ways of knowing that can be
brought into the classroom. Our parent sessions have been very successful in welcoming families into the school setting
with more than 1,100 parents attending last year. We will discuss ways we have found to honor parents’ voices as they tell
their stories, express their hopes and dreams for the future, and learn new ways to support their children’s learning at
home. Attendees will be able to experience first-hand activities we have designed for families as they respond to questions
about their own family history and life experiences. This interactive experience will allow session participants to see how
a sense of community is created over time as parents are encouraged to find their voice and share their stories with us
and their children.
AUDIENCE: All Participants
LOCATION: Room 109
The Project Approach in Early Childhood
PRESENTERS:
Lindsey Copp
Ana Hernandez Carter
Angelica Saenz
Pre-K Teacher, The Lion Lane School
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Bilingual Pre-K Teacher, Ninfa Laurenzo Early Childhood Center, Houston ISD
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Bilingual Pre-K Teacher, Ninfa Laurenzo Early Childhood Center, Houston ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Have you ever wondered how to tap into children’s curiosity to motivate their learning? Learn how to create hands-on,
interactive experiences using the project approach. We will help you take student curiosities and questions and transform them
into cross-curricular classroom projects. Take a sneak peek of projects in bilingual, ESL and dual language classrooms.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 110
Threes–Pre-K
The Building Blocks of Building Blocks
PRESENTERS:
Sharon Dworaczyk
Dan Engle
Special Projects Coordinator and Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Specialist, St. Luke’s Day School
In this hands-on session, participants will learn how block play impacts child development while connecting early literacy
development to the building process. This presentation will also encourage teachers to become familiar with the stages
of block play, learn ways to organize and manage a block center and explore ways to keep block play interesting throughout
the school year.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 112
Toddlers–Kindergarten
A Book Is Only the Beginning
PRESENTERS:
Jennifer Lenardic
Jennifer Jaeger
Teacher of Twos and Threes, St. Martin’s Episcopal Preschool
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Librarian, St. Martin’s Episcopal Preschool
Discover what is new in the library for babies, toddlers and threes. This interactive workshop will introduce teachers to
some terrific “new classics.” We will use these books to design literacy-focused activities around the classroom.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 113
Infants–Threes
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Using Technology to Create Home/School Connections
PRESENTERS:
Carin Malmer
Nanette Musters
Ashley Souza
Rachel Williams
Pre-K Teacher, Barbara Bush Elementary, Houston ISD
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
First Grade Teacher, Mark Twain Elementary School, Houston ISD
Kindergarten Teacher, Lakewood Elementary, Tomball ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Kindergarten Teacher, Tom Wilson Elementary, Katy ISD
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Sharing technology in your classroom is now one click away. Through the use of QR codes, Seesaw, and Ready Rosie or
Vroom!, you and your students will become tech-savvy 21st century learners. Your students will be able to create digital
portfolios of stories, dramatizations and station creations to share with parents. The possibilities are endless! Join us as
we explore the various ways your students can use technology to bring the magic from your classroom into their homes.
AUDIENCE: All Participants
LOCATION: Room 115
Science Under Construction
PRESENTERS:
Amber Denton
Leslie Jamail
First Grade Teacher, Bang Elementary, Cypress Fairbanks ISD
Mentor, School Literacy and Culture
Second Grade Teacher, University of Houston Charter School
In this session you will engage in hands-on, minds-on physical knowledge experiences that promote scientific thinking
in young children. Come tell a story in our shadow puppet theater, create a maze for marbles, construct a marshmallowflinging catapult, and build with ramps and pathways! Learn how children construct scientific concepts by interacting
with their physical world.
AUDIENCE:
LOCATION:
Teachers of Pre-K–First Grade
Room 219
Introduction to Story for Twos and Threes
PRESENTERS:
Amy Jones
Sarah Perry
Teacher of Threes, St. Francis Episcopal School
Early Literacy Leadership Academy, School Literacy and Culture
Pre-K Teacher, School for Little Children
Do you want to discover how to use the storytelling curriculum to engage the young child? This interactive session
will explore child-authored stories and their dramatizations by two- and three-year-old children. All interested teachers,
administrators and parents are invited to learn more about our exciting year-long program.
AUDIENCE: Teachers of
LOCATION: Room 300
toddlers, twos and threes
FEATURED SPEAKER
The Very Practical Role of Imaginative Play
in the Emerging Literacy Curriculum
PRESENTER:
Patsy Cooper
Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education, Queens College, CUNY
Founder, School Literacy and Culture (formerly The Teachers Network for Early Literacy Education)
The English alphabet consists of 26 symbols known as letters. In order to understand and, eventually, manipulate their
role in reading and writing, young children must first acquire symbolic thinking skills. This featured presentation traces
the role of imaginative play in the acquisition of symbolic thought between two and six years old. Join us as we share what
makes School Literacy and Culture a family of storytellers and explore how they can be powerful components in your
literacy instruction.
AUDIENCE: All Participants
LOCATION: Auditorium
12
Anderson-Clarke Center
South Servery
Rice University Campus
13
Anderson-Clarke Center
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Special Thanks to our 2017 Early Literacy Summit Sponsors
CONFERENCE UNDERWRITER
SESSION UNDERWRITERS
COMMUNITY SPONSORS
SLC PROGRAM SPONSORS
Powell Foundation
Rice Oral & Written Language Laboratory
Classroom Storytelling
Scholarship Fund
Early Literacy
Leadership Academy