New Iowa Early Literacy Conference: Building Successful Readers and Writers from the Start

URBANDALE, Iowa and PETERBOROUGH, N.H., Jan. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- With retention required for Iowa public school students not reading at grade level by the end of third grade, teachers are facing mounting pressure to support, motivate, and build successful readers and writers. At the Iowa Early Literacy Conference for PreK–3^rd Grade Teachers, teachers will learn fresh, new ways to address the standards, provide interventions, and instill a love of reading and writing in every student. The conference hosted by Staff Development for Educators (SDE) is being held January 26–27, 2017 in Urbandale, IA.

The conference will provide teachers and administrators with research-based strategies and innovative ideas to improve literacy instruction. Teachers will learn how to build proficient and accelerated language skills in all learners, including struggling students, find time to teach and practice reading and writing every day, motivate students to engage with non-fiction texts, assess literacy skills, and support the developmental connection between reading and writing.

Administrators will learn new ways to support their teachers in this effort. They'll acquire strategies that will address the Iowa Core Literacy Standards (K–3), help them pursue achievement of the Third Grade Reading Guarantee, highlight the development of the 5 Critical Components of Reading, reduce the need for reading improvement plans, and lay out stronger literacy improvement measures.

"Iowa teachers we talk to want the same things. They are seeking help with differentiated, regular, and small-group reading instruction. They want to know how to initiate reading instruction early and through developmentally appropriate methods. They are looking for better ways to implement reading improvement strategies, introduce text and visuals to support comprehension, and foster activities that improve literacy measures," SDE program developer Mia Leonard-Solis says.

This new conference fulfills all these needs through 40 intensive sessions covering Writer's Workshop, guided reading, close reading, comprehension, fluency, vocabulary, phonics and phonic awareness, and opinion and informational writing.  

The conference presenters are among the top literacy experts in the country. Some are authors and National Board Certified teachers. Others are nationally known consultants and practitioners. This year's keynoters include Pat Pavelka, a classroom innovator with more than 35 years of experience with early literacy, and Danny Brassell, Ph.D., a top literacy expert and best-selling author of 15 books. Also speaking will be Lori Elliott, Ed.D., a popular classroom technology advocate.   

To register for this conference or learn about SDE's national conferences, upcoming PD events, or other professional development opportunities, visit www.SDE.com, call 1-800-462-1478, or email [email protected].

About SDE

SDE is one of America's leading providers of professional development for PreK through Grade 12 educators. Through Onsite PD, PD Events, Web-Based PD, and PD Resources, the company empowers teachers and administrators across the country with ongoing professional development that is not only research-based, innovative, and rigorous, but also practical, motivating, and fun. All SDE training is presented by the nation's top authors and educational experts, with the goal of creating extraordinary classrooms that prepare students for the evolving demands of the 21st century.

For more information about SDE, educators are encouraged to visit www.sde.com, or to call 1-800-462-1478.

SOURCE Staff Development for Educators