Thousands of Literacy Educators Will Head to Philadelphia
for NCTE's 99th Annual Convention
November 19-22
The teaching of literature is just one of the topics literacy educators will explore during the 99th Annual Convention of NCTE in Philadelphia, November 19-22. The theme of the convention, “Once and Future Classics: Reading Between the Lines,” will spark conversations about traditional and contemporary literature and foster lively discussions of how and what is taught.
Also on the minds of educators today is writing:
Are my students writing often enough?
Is text messaging hurting my students' ability to write well?
Are my students prepared for the kind of writing they'll need to do in the workforce in the 21st century?
These topics will also be discussed at the Convention and some of the talk will center around NCTE's new National Gallery of Writing, a digital archive of samples that exhibit how and why Americans are writing every day. Nearly 22,000 pieces of writing can be seen in more than 2,000 galleries.
The Convention has a local focus as well.
Lisa Nutter, president of the Philadelphia Academies, Inc., will receive NCTE's 2009 Literacy Award during a the Friday General Session, 8:00a.m., November 20.
And several local authors, illustrators, educators, and poets will take part in the Pennsylvania Showcase sessions:
Jen Bryant, A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams; Jerry Spinelli, Maniac Magee and Love, Stargirl; and Eileen Spinelli, Summerhouse Time and Princess Pig: "Influence, Interaction, Inspiration," Friday, Nov, 20
Steve McKee, author of My Father's Heart: "Going Home Again," Saturday, Nov. 21
Patricia Bell, Karns City High School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Michael Hoover, South Carroll High School, Sykesville, Maryland; and Dana Sauers, Delone Catholic High School, McSherrystown, Pennsylvania: "Teachers as Poets/Poets as Teachers," Saturday, Nov. 21
Sandy Asher, Writing It Right! How Successful Children's Authors Revise and Sell Their Stories, Too; Debbie Dadey, The Keyholders and The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids books; Lee Harper, Snow! Snow! Snow! Turkey Trouble and Woolbur; and Kay Winters, Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak and Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books: "Reconnecting with the Love of Reading," Saturday, Nov. 21.
Bob Dandoy and Kathleen Strickland, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania: "Teachers as Lifetime Learners," Sunday, Nov. 22
Contact NCTE to learn more about the Convention, to request a press pass, or to arrange an interview with an expert in the teaching and learning of literature or literacy-related topics.
2009 Annual Convention Press Release