A great introduction to the many hats of a literacy coach. Addresses obstacles you may face and the rewards of coaching. I loved seeing the video clips and getting the handouts and the DVD.

Billisue Sandefur, Literacy Coach from Monroe, Michigan

To read more testimonials from participants in Jennifer Allen and Brenda Power's workshops, click here.


The Literacy Principal in Action (NEW in 2008)

with Karen Szymusiak, Co-Author of Still Learning to Read

8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Thursday, June 26th The Governor Hotel in Portland, Oregon

Principals are expected to be curricular leaders in their schools - but what does that look and feel like? This full-day workshop takes you into daily routines of Karen Szymusiak, a principal at Glacier Ridge Elementary School in Dublin, Ohio and author of many best-selling books and videos on literacy instruction. Karen will share strategies for observing and collaborating with teachers, leading meetings with a curriculum focus, and guiding staff in new literacy initiatives in a way that honors and respects educators, even as you challenge them to try new teaching techniques and strategies. Karen brings years of experience as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, and district curriculum administration to her role as a principal, so she has a unique ability to step into the shoes of many different stakeholders in literacy reform. Participants receive a copy of the "Literacy Principal in Action" DVD, currently in production.

To download a registration form, click here.

Helping Struggling Readers in Grades 3-6 (NEW in 2008)

with Franki Sibberson, Co-Author of Still Learning to Read

8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Thursday, June 26th The Governor Hotel in Portland, Oregon

8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 8th The Regency in Portland, Maine

8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Thursday, July 10th Darby Dan Farms in Columbus, Ohio

What routines are most helpful to struggling readers, and how can they participate as full members of the classroom community in reading workshop? This workshop will include examples of best practices, word study, books that are especially useful, and strategies for including strugglers in whole-class discussions and small groups in ways that differentiate instruction without discouraging or singling out students. Franki will present perspectives from her classroom of grades 3 and 4 students, and her work as a coach in classrooms throughout her school as she helps colleagues grapple with struggling readers. Participants will receive a copy of a new Choice Literacy DVD in production and print materials.

To download a registration form, click here.

This workshop is tailored to meet the needs of both teachers and instructional coaches. It is organized well and balanced with lecture, video, questions and time to talk. A very relaxed but highly effective use of time. I only have positive things to say about this conference. I'm so happy I was able to be a part of it.

Lisa Meyers, Literacy Coach from Portland, Oregon

To read more testimonials from participants in Franki Sibberson's workshops, click here.

Mentor Texts: Teaching Writer's Craft and Reading Strategies (NEW in 2008)

with Aimee Buckner, Author of Notebook Know-How

8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday, June 27th The Governor Hotel in Portland, Oregon

What are the books you can't live without in your coaching and teaching, the ones you return to again and again when teaching minilessons or conferring with students? Aimee Buckner will lead a day-long session on selecting and using mentor texts in literacy workshops. She'll take you into her 4th grade classroom with video segments and children's work samples, to show how mentor texts can use used to build a classroom community and elevate the quality of student work at the same time. Specific reading and writing strategies linked to books will be shared, with many genres presented. Participants will receive a copy of Aimee's Choice Literacy DVD Mentor Texts, currently in production, and many print resources.

To download a registration form, click here.

CAFÉ in the Classroom

with "The Sisters" (Gail Boushey and Joan Moser), Authors of The Daily 5

Dates and Locations:

8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday, June 27th The Governor Hotel in Portland, Oregon

8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Thursday, July 10th Darby Dan Farms in Columbus, Ohio

Teachers know assessing young readers involves more than determining a reading level and moving them onto the next. Yet all too often, assessment systems don't provide much information beyond determining a child's reading level. Gail and Joan developed the CAFÉ assessment system to help elementary students understand and master different strategies used by successful readers.

CAFÉ is an acronym for Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expanding Vocabulary. Gail and Joan developed the system based upon best practice research to link assessment to daily workshop routines. Joan and Gail are still teachers in the public school system. They both use the system daily with students, and have helped dozens of teachers in their school districts implement the program. This workshop is designed for literacy leaders and teachers who are veterans at using The Daily 5 in their classrooms, and are ready for an in-depth look at implementing CAFÉ as a companion. Participants receive a copy of the DVD workshop kit CAFÉ in the Classroom and many print resources.

To download a registration form, click here.

Awesome! Often you learn one or two things to try. With this workshop you're inspired to revamp your philosophy and methods. And it's exciting, not overwhelming. I can't believe how manageable CAFE is. Now that I have the management piece down with Daily 5, this is the natural next step to improving my teaching and the students' learning.

Jaime Cochrane, Teacher from Boscawen, New Hampshire

To read more testimonials from participants in workshops led by The Sisters (Joan Moser and Gail Boushey), click here.

CAFÉ/Daily 5 Combo

with "The Sisters" (Gail Boushey and Joan Moser), Authors of The Daily 5
8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday, July 7th The Regency Hotel in Portland, Maine

Teachers know assessing young readers involves more than determining a reading level and moving them onto the next. Yet all too often, assessment systems don't provide much information beyond determining a child's reading level. Gail Boushey and Joan Moser (authors of the book The Daily Five: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades) developed the Daily 5 independent work system and CAFÉ assessment system to help elementary students understand and master different strategies used by successful readers. Joan and Gail are still teachers in the public school system. They both use the system daily with students, and have helped dozens of teachers in their school districts implement the program. Participants will receive a copy of the DVD workshop kit CAFÉ in the Classroom and a wealth of print resources.

To download a registration form, click here.

Just what I needed to nudge my own professional development in my work as a literacy coach. It really jumpstarted my thinking about the needs of our school. We continue to struggle with balancing curriculum and student needs but most of all, time. Both CAFE and the Daily 5 together have the potential to move teachers towards a management and instructional system to address all of these. I can't wait to share with my colleagues.

Rose Patterson, Literacy Coach from Waterville, Maine

To read more testimonials from participants in workshops led by The Sisters (Joan Moser and Gail Boushey), click here.

Coaching Content Literacy (NEW in 2008)

with Franki Sibberson, Co-Author of Still Learning to Read

8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday, June 27th The Governor Hotel in Portland, Oregon

Literacy skills are crucial in math, science, and social studies, but sometimes the demands of these texts require different kinds of instruction in workshops. Franki will show video clips and examples of instruction that help elementary students understand the language styles and text features in different disciplines, and how teachers can make clear connections between literacy across the curriculum. She will also take participants into her work with colleagues as a coach, and her collaboration with coaches in her school who focus full-time on content disciplines. Participants will receive a copy of a new Choice Literacy DVD in production, as well as many print resources.

To download a registration form, click here.

This workshop validates how teaching is truly a profession that requires thoughtful decisions made by people who take the time to grow themselves and bring that knowledge to their decisions about next steps for each student. The tone and quality of the workshop is truly something every teacher should experience.

Diana Doiron, State Department Literacy Specialist from Augusta, Maine

To read more testimonials from participants in Franki Sibberson's workshops, click here.

Leading Study Groups and Meetings (NEW in 2008)

with Jennifer Allen, Author of Becoming a Literacy Leader and Brenda Power, Founder of Choice Literacy

8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, June 28th The Governor Hotel in Portland, Oregon

8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 8th The Regency Hotel in Portland, Maine

One of the least acknowledged but most important skills any literacy leader needs is the ability to lead meetings well. Some of these meetings might be organized professional development offerings, like study groups. Others are ongoing weekly or monthly gatherings, like grade level team meetings around assessment data or required school staff meetings which include a short curriculum discussion period. In this workshop, we'll share strategies for organizing and leading effective meetings with colleagues. The focus will be on fostering thoughtful conversations around literacy best practices. Well-run meetings and study groups become a catalyst for talk, collaboration, and new literacy practices that can energize the school community all year long. Participants receive a copy of the Choice Literacy DVD The Well-Run Meeting (currently in production) and other print resources.

To download a registration form, click here.

Intriguing and commonsense methods we take for granted -- talking through metacognition, reflecting, debriefing, etc. I have learned many things that I will implement right away. Thanks for a fabulous experience!

Tanya Becker, Literacy Coach from Omaha, Nebraska

To read more testimonials from participants in Jennifer Allen and Brenda Power's workshops, click here.

NEW in 2008 - Teas and Desserts

Want to extend your learning a bit after a day-long Choice Literacy workshop? This year we are offering a small number of afternoon teas and evening desserts. Each two-hour tea or dessert function includes refreshments, a presentation, and a Choice Literacy DVD linked to the topic. The DVDs participants receive are valued at a minimum of $99, so the $79 price of these events is a great value.

Design and Desserts with "The Sisters"

7 - 9 p.m. Thursday, June 26th The Governor Hotel in Portland, Oregon

Fee: $79 (includes a copy of the Simply Beautiful DVD or Simply Organized for each participant, a $99 value)

This is a fun dessert session, and you'll leave with the tools you need to beautify your classroom or school on a limited budget. A short version of The Sisters' acclaimed Trading Spaces course.

"If You Like..." Tea with Franki Sibberson

4 - 6 p.m. Friday, June 27th The Governor Hotel in Portland, Oregon

Fee: $79 (includes a copy of a new Choice Literacy reading DVD, currently in production)

Have you ever wondered how you could translate a child's passion for a particular author or series into interests in other authors, topics, and genres? Franki provides a wealth of insight and booklists for tapping kids' passions for everything from Babymouse to Matt Christopher to Harry Potter, connecting these authors and series to other less well-known texts. This tea is a great way to expand your knowledge of current children's literature authors quickly.


The Very Beginnings of Comprehension Tea with Andie Cunningham and Ruth Shagoury

4 - 6 p.m. Thursday, June 26th The Governor Hotel in Portland, Oregon

Fee: $79 (includes a copy of the Choice Literacy DVD Synthesizing Butterflies: Teaching Reading Strategies to Kindergartners, a $129)

It's never too early to get children started in comprehending texts - even before they have the ability to decode text. This tea will focus on books that are great for comprehension instruction with preschoolers and kindergartners, as well as movement and art activities that are wonderful ways into comprehension instruction at this age.

To download a registration form for the teas and dessert events, click here.

Click here for information on hotel locations and rates.

For a preview and early registration details for our popular October workshops at the 4-Star Samoset Resort on the ocean in Rockland, Maine, click here.