My #OLW for 2018 is “curious” and being curious led me to #CCIRA18: LIteracy Renaissance: Invention, Intention, and Close Study in Colorado. The conference keynoters, speakers, and format all made me curious about the learning opportunities.
Check out the entire #CCIRA slide show on their information page! And then the registration for sessions sealed the deal – preregistration for sessions! My only regret was that I had waited and some sessions were already closed. Slides 2 and 3 were so convincing and looked just as incredible on the big screens yesterday in Evergreen Hall!
So small wonder that the ideas behind the theme were brilliantly repeated in session after session on opening day with a balmy 61 degrees outside!
Curious and Study
Ralph Fletcher talked of studying his grandson playing in order to determine the “play” elements that should also be included in writing.
Maggie Beattie Roberts talked about being curious and her study with Kristen Warren of students’ Independent Reading Journeys to:
- Help adolescents discover the rhythm of thinking . . .
- Help adolescents discover the nuances . . .
- Help adolescents live comfortably in the gray.
Jeff Anderson talked of being curious and studying punctuation and grammar in a way that “sticks” for students and also is not black and white.
Kile Clabaugh and Keith Patterson in their “Primary Sources” work talked of using the Library of Congress format of “I see, I think, I wonder”.
At lunch, Kate and Maggie both shared some of their thinking behind DIY Literacy which grew from being curious about WHY students had problems with memory, rigor and differentiation. And then Kate created a tool in front of us explaining, giving tips and embracing mediocrity.
Cris Tovani talked of student curiosity driving the compelling questions that students could study to move them from disengaged to empowered.
Troy Hicks talked of curiosity as we studied a picture and a “I see, I think, I wonder” viewing format.
Other Words I heard repeated and demonstrated throughout the day:
Questions
Student-Centered
Joy
Create
and so much respect for Mentors and the Research/Authors Behind their Work!
#CCIRA18
so easy to feel welcomed,
so easy to navigate,
so easy to learn.
#CCIRA18
a class act,
great speakers,
marvelous learning, and
incredible organization.
Thank YOU, CCIRA18!
And off to Day 2!!!
Resource - Full 
Fran,
It is such a blessing to follow your journey. Your curiosity has not been just this year. I feel like it has been a theme for you over the years. I think it is why I am drawn to your posts. As a classroom teacher, I feel limited in my ability to pursue my curiosity. I am living vicariously through you. I loved the personal stories you shared from all the presenters. Keep sharing, it’s motivating and fulfilling, even though I’m not there! Enjoy the joy!
Thank you, Sarah! It’s a blessedly joyful conference!
Hi Fran,
What a lovely first impression of our conference! Clearly, your instinct to come out to #CCIRA18 was a good one; I’m a big believer in trusting my instincts, too. I’m so glad you felt welcomed and among fellow learners. Thank you for helping to spread the word about our conference! We are so proud of what we do, and we love growing our community.
Amazing conference, organization, speakers, schedule, keynotes, conference committee, lunches, and book sale!
Totally a class act!