Date/Time
11/03/2017
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location
Seward Memorial Library
Click here for the 2019 Fall Ran Workshop!
Keynote Speakers:
Bruce Arant
A Hard Act to Follow
Dredging Up (mostly lousy) Ideas for a Sequel
Fairly soon after Simpson’s Sheep Won’t Go to Sleep! was released by Peter Pauper Press in 2013, I began to feel I should come up with another story based on Farmer Simpson and his flock of sheep. It didn’t take long, however, to realize that writing a sequel is “much easier said than done.” After several mind-bending months of writing (mostly staring at a blinking curser on a blank computer screen), a 553 word story finally emerged — distilled from around 90 pages of ideas, notes and abandoned drafts. Illustrating the story was enormous fun, but above all, the most gratifying aspect of Simpson’s Sheep Just Want to Sleep!, is that it evolved into a story that shares a valuable, timeless message for children and adults alike.
Jill Esbaum
How Ogden Nash Made Me a Writer
(and a Reasonably Well-Adjusted Human Being)
Jill Esbaum will talk about how discovering puns as an eight year old rocked her world – and taught her to seek the humor in every situation.
Breakout Session 1
A. How to Read Aloud Like You’re an Audible Narrator (But You’re Not Getting the Residuals)
Morrie Enders, Lincoln Community Playhouse Executive Director
Morrie will offer tips on making your story times more effective by using the actors tool box of rate, pause, volume, pitch, characterization and projection.
B. Leading Babies and Toddlers to Reading
Becky Reisinger, Seward Memorial Library
Reading to children should begin at birth. Discover some tips for reading aloud to babies and toddlers at home or in a Story Time setting. Also learn about Seward Memorial Library’s Leading to Reading postcard program.
C. Read-Aloud Fiction Books for Grades 1-4
Sally Snyder, Nebraska Library Commission
Sally will present good read aloud choices of early chapter books for beginning readers and chapter books for older elementary school age children. These fiction titles will keep kids reading and listening.
Breakout Session 2
A. No More Robots: Helping Kids Re-Program Their Reading Voices – with Expression!
Bruce Arant
It may take loads of patience and lots of practice, but it will be worth the effort if the all-too-common “robot voice” is erased from your students’ “hard drives.” A brief overview of tips and tricks to help make reading aloud more enjoyable for the reader — and for the listener.
B. Picture Books & Storytelling
Sandy Wallick, Lincoln City Libraries
Sandy will share ideas on how to expand beyond the book during your storytimes. It might be retelling the story with puppets or props or something totally unexpected.
C. Betwixt and BeTWEEN/Once Upon a Time…
Vicki Wood and Susan Steider, Lincoln City Libraries
Whatever your age, you are never too old to listen to stories. Vicki will present an overview of some of the best books, published in the last two years, for youth in grades 4-8, both fiction and nonfiction. Susan will be sharing a variety of young adult fiction with compelling narrative.
Breakout Session 3
A. What’s So Funny? (And Why Should We Care?)
Jill Esbaum
Jill will share her favorite funny books and discuss why it’s vital, now more than ever before, to expose kids to the other side of serious.
B. Non-Fiction for Young Readers
Kathy Danielsen, University of Nebraska at Omaha
This presentation will focus on some new nonfiction books for young readers that will spark their interest and expand their knowledge of the world. A bibliography of recommended books will be shared.
C. Uniting Families Through Reading Aloud
Dr. Sally Zoll, Chief Executive Officer, United Through Reading
Dr. Zoll will present via Skype and share expertise regarding read-aloud programs for children of military and incarcerated family members. She will give an overview of unitedthroughreading.org: how the program works, its benefits, and delivery mechanisms.
Breakout Session 4
A. National Spotlight on Reading Aloud
Megan Boggs, Karen Drevo, Rebecca McCorkindale, Vicki Wood
This panel will talk about a variety of national programs that promote reading aloud including First Book, Prime Time Family Reading Time, Read Aloud 15 Minutes and more!
B. Breathing NonFiction Read Alouds Into Life
Dylan Teut, Plum Creek Children’s Literacy Festival Director and Literacy Instructor at Concordia University
Some nonfiction is written very well and lends itself to read aloud time. Other texts need a bit of a boost. This session will provide tips, techniques, and tricks for squeezing every moment out of your nonfiction read aloud time, enhancing the experience, while engaging and sparking curiosity and wonder among your students.
C. Connecting Stories with the Outside World
Molly Aschoff, ESU #8
Take your story time to a whole new level by making worldly connections. This session will show you how to take live virtual field trips around Nebraska and anywhere your imagination can take you, all you need is good internet and a connection to make.
Breakout Session 5
A. Guerilla Storytime
Rebecca McCorkindale, Gretna Public Library
Are you a natural storyteller, or have you worked hard to develop this skill? Either way, this special storytelling-focused Guerrilla Storytime will let you share your skills, creativity, and more! This guerrilla training method was created by Cory Eckert and pioneered in Guerrilla Storytimes facilitated by the Storytime Underground.
B. Reading Aloud Musical Fun
Gloria Christiansen, Retired Media Specialist
Sometimes, to teach reading, we need to provide unique opportunities that expand knowledge base. Often, song lyrics are a perfect stepping-stone to reading and making meaning. This session will demonstrate how empowering students to read text can be accomplished through music. Warning: You may find yourself wanting to sing along.
C. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
Karen Wyatt Drevo, Norfolk Public Library
Learn how your library can implement a free program to equip parents with the tools needed to instill in their young child a love of reading, the skills to get ready to read, and an appreciation for the library.
