Early Childhood Conference

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Augusta State Armory, Western Ave, Augusta, ME

8:30 am-4:45 pm

$50.00 before October 15-$60.00 after October 15

YOU WILL SELECT THE WORKSHOPS YOU’D LIKE TO ATTEND THE DAY OF THE CONFERENCE

AGENDA

8:30-9:00 am- Welcome and Keynote address-Argy Nestor, Visual and Performing Arts Specialist, Maine Department of Education    

9:15-10:45 am- Session I

1. Confidence in Creative Singing (Yes, even YOU!): Presented by, Martin Swinger.  This fun, safe and affirming workshop helps even uncertain singers freely invent instruction and transition songs using simple scaffolding steps. Find confidence to creatively ‘fail’ maintaining pride and self-respect! Bravely model the joy of singing!
2. Telling true stories: How to inspire kids to write about their lives and family: Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Barbara Walsh, author of August Gale: A Father and Daughter’s Journey into the Storm and Sammy in the Sky, will discuss how to get children excited about writing stories about their lives or family. Walsh, a long-time journalist and non-fiction author, believes children should be encouraged to write down and share stories of their past and present. If families don’t document their lives and their history, their stories are lost forever. Learn tips and ideas about how to inspire kids to tell their stories and make their own “mini-books.” (Copies of Barbara Walsh’s books will be available at the conference, where she will gladly personalize them.)
3. Allowing Music to Unlock the Door to Literacy: Presented by, Judy Fricke. Music used in a variety of ways can be the key that opens the door to literacy for infants and toddlers, preschoolers and teachers alike.  During this workshop Judy will present three groups of hands on activities which can encourage and empower the early childhood educator to engage in “music to literacy” activities regularly with their children. Simple and enjoyable tools from bounces, tickles and wiggles to simple folk dancing and drumming create a fun-filled time of sharing. Music and movement can create a fun activity that helps open children’s minds to their culture and their imaginations and introduce their bodies to the freedom of artistic expression. The first half hour will concentrate on infants and toddlers. The second will concentrate on preschoolers and beyond. And the third will address arts based read alouds with an emphasis on music, drama and dance.
4. Bringing Children’s Literacy to Life: Presented by, Elizabeth Richards. Bring great children’s books to life on the stage!  Literacy learning is more engaging and exciting when children have an opportunity to become the characters, explore the illustrations more closely and create scenery, and learn the book inside and out through movement and repetition.  Participants will learn how acting stories out builds literacy skills, and how to create exciting performances out of familiar stories.

11:00 am-12:30 pm- Session II-Repeat of Session 1 workshops

12:30-1:30 pm- Lunch on your own (you will be provided with a list of area restaurants or you may bring your lunch)

1:30-3:00 pm- Session III

1. Dance Mad Louie Dance!: This workshop will teach you how to use dance and other physical activities to help you and the children you care for maintain a healthy body and healthy mind well having fun! You will also learn how to use these activities to teach team work and listening skills.  This workshop requires proper footwear as you will be dancing and moving.
2. 6.      Collaborative Art Making: Developing 21st Century Skills through the Arts:  Presented by, Megan Pollino. This presentation will focus on how to facilitate dynamic collaborative art projects that strengthen communication, problem solving, and team work skills in children.  Megan will speak on her experiences using creative mediums such as animation, film making, painting, and design to prepare children to work in collaborative environments. Educators and caregivers will participate in hands-on activities reflective of the approaches presented and sample lesson plans will be provided. 
3. From Storybooks to Bookmaking: Incorporating Creative Writing in Early Childhood Classrooms: Presented by, Megan London.  In this workshop, participants will explore ways to bring creative writing and poetry into their work with children.  You will learn about active storytelling and how to create storyboards with children, as well as simple and easy ways to make books with children.
4. Drama Every Day: Presented by, Lindsay Pinchbeck.  Explore elements of drama you can bring directly into your classroom and daily routines.  You will engage in activities inspired by dramatists Peter Slade, Brian Way, Viola Spolin, Dorothy Heathcote and more.  Group dynamics, personality types and various learning styles will also be explored through drama to encourage empathy in the classroom.  Elements of role play, non verbal and verbal drama games, puppetry and more will be experienced and shared.  This workshop is appropriate for all ages.

3:15-4:45 pm- Session IV-Repeat of Session III workshops

To register please go to