Harvest Literacy Conference at Saint Xavier University

Saint Xavier University's School of Education will host the 2012 Harvest Literacy Conference, a daylong event for educators, administrators, and parents who play an important role in promoting literacy from grades K through eight, on Wed., Oct. 10.

The conference, titled "Gathering and Sharing Innovative Strategies in Reading and Writing Instruction," is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at SXU's Orland Park Campus, 18230 Orland Parkway.

Registration is due by Fri., Oct. 5. Participants can register online at www.sxu.edu, keyword: harvest. Pre-registration is required and seats are limited. Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and there will be no on-site or phone registration. The $125 registration fee includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and instruction/workshop materials.

The keynote speakers will be authors Andrea Beaty and Julia Durango, who will discuss why children’s books still offer one of the most powerful, cross-curricular tools in education. They will use a selection of their own books as examples to demonstrate a variety of book-based, culturally responsive literacy strategies, such as creative writing exercises, which not only address Common Core Standards, but encourage students (and teachers) to have fun in the classroom.

Additional speakers will focus on topics in reading and writing with practical suggestions for classroom teachers. Some of these topics include motivation, technology, bilingual literature, content area literacy, and Common Core State Standards. There also will be an opportunity to visit with Andrea Beaty and Julia Durango for a book signing during the lunch break.

For more information, please visit www.sxu.edu, keyword: harvest, or contact Wanda Manning at (708) 802-6205 or manning@sxu.edu.