CT will be recognizing Nancy Boyles from Southern CT State University at NERA's 62nd Annual Conference Awards Banquet in September. For details, click on the Conference tab.


MAINE

April 10, 2010 – Writing Ourselves with Kate Kennedy. Email Heather Pullen at heather.pullen@maine.edu

April 30, 2010 - Nonfiction Institute, University of Maine, Orono Appropriate for all grade levels contact info: Email: amy.cates@umit.maine.edu, 207/581-2438

August 3, 2010 – Early Childhood Institute, Mary Cowhey, author of Black Ants and Buddhists, contact Janice.bacon@umit.maine.edu

August 4-6, 2010 - Institute for Designing and Planning a Whole‐School Comprehensive Literacy Intervention Model, K‐6, Email: amy.cates@umit.maine.edu, 207/581-2438

September 7th (Auburn) & Sept. 9th (Bangor) - Lance Gentile, expert in oral language development and author of the Oral Language Acquisition Inventory & The Oracy Instructional Guide , Email: amy.cates@umit.maine.edu, 207/581-2438

September 14, 2010 – Teaching Middle School Writers, Grades 5-9, Presented by Laura Robb, Orono, Email: amy.cates@umit.maine.edu, 207/581-2438

The Literacy Leaders Network continues to meet in different parts of the state. Contact leeann.larsen@maine.gov.

Maine will be recognizing Ellen Almquist from RSU 25 in Bucksport, ME at NERA's 62nd Annual Conference Awards Banquet in September. For details, click on the Conference tab.


MASSACHUSETTS

1. Massachusetts Reading Association (MRA) Conference:

The Conference was held in Sturbridge Massachusetts on April 8 and 9, 2010.

2. State Research updates:

Read the latest research updates compiled by the Department’s Office of Strategic Planning, Research and Evaluation at http://www.doe.mass.edu/research/updates/10_0225.html

3. State Commissioner’s Updates:

Read the latest information from the Commissioner Update reports at http://www.doe.mass.edu/mailings/cmarchive.html

Massachusetts will be honoring Dorothy Earle, from the MA Dept. of Education, at NERA's 62nd Annual Conference Awards Banquet in September. For details, click on the Conference tab.


NEW HAMPSHIRE

State Board approved the NH prek-16 Numeracy Action Plan which follows the format and design of our Literacy Action Plan. It can be found on the homepage of the NH DOE website. www.ed.state.nh.us

The Instructional Coaching Initiative continues with the first cohort of teachers. A second cohort is in the planning stage.

There is an Interactive Guide to Implementing RtI which can be found at www.ed.state.nh.us/rti

UNH Writers Academy and NH Literacy Institutes Summer brochures are available through the Department of English at UNH.

Plymouth Writing Project information is now available. There are six sessions beginning on June 28-July 29th. There are also several institutes offered at the Concord Campus, the first one is July 6-9, July 12-15, July 6-22, and finally July 26-29th. Contact Dr. Meg Peterson plymouth.edu/pwp

April 2010, third annual literacy festival 9-12am at Merrimack Valley School. This large literacy festival is family centered and provides exciting connections with literature; free books are part of the draw.

June 9, 2010: Granite State Council Appreciation Dinner will feature Jerry Palotta as speaker at The Puritan Restaurant in Manchester. Literacy Award winners will be honored and all are welcome.

New Hampshire ASCD is offering three full day literacy workshops in 2010-2011, featuring Regie Routman, Anita Archer, and Janet Allen. Contact gbuteau@plymouth.edu for more details.

New Hampshire is honoring Helen Schotanus, recently retired from the NH Dept. of Education, at the 62nd NERA Annual Conference Awards Banquet in September. Click on the Conference tab for details.


RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island is one of 16 finalists in the $4-billion federal Race to the Top competition, designed to reward states that embrace radical school reforms. U.S. Education secretary, Arne Duncan, announced the finalists from among the forty states and the District of Columbia that applied for the unprecedented infusion of federal aid. Rhode Island is asking for $126.6 million to make dramatic changes to increase student achievement

Rhode Island Reading Week was April 5-April 10. The Poetry Anthology Recognition, sponsored by the Rhode Island State Council, was held on April 10th.

RI State Council will be hosting a book study: I Can Write Like That by Susan Ehmann and Kellyann Gayer.Contact the Rhode Island State Council for more information if interested in participating.

Rhode Island will be honoring Susan Skawinski, from Providence College, at NERA's 62nd Annual Conference Awards Banquet in September. Click on the Conference tab for details.

VERMONT

Vermont will be honoring poet Geof Hewitt, of the National Writing Project, at NERA's 62nd Annual Conference Awards Banquet in September. For details, click on the Conference tab.

May 4, 5, 2010 Pam Chomsky-Higgins & Cathy White
Spring Reading Academy
VRI at UVM, Montpelier
8:30-3:00 

In this 4 day workshop, classroom teachers (k-3), special educators, reading specialists, administrators, supervisors and other resource staff will deepen their understanding of the 5 essential components of reading in grades K-3: Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Comprehension, Fluency, and Vocabulary. Over the course of the 4 days, participants will expand their repertoire of research-based instructional approaches to help students achieve Grade Level Expectations. The instructors will provide opportunities to practice several approaches with colleagues, and help teachers plan for classroom application.