Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg - Reading Manitoba

The Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg (RCGW) has been dedicated to promoting literacy and developing lifelong readers since 1956. We have a proud history of being a literacy leader in Winnipeg and its surrounding area. We are a Special Area Group of Educators (SAGE) of the Manitoba Teachers' Society and a local council of the International Literacy Association.

RCGW provides professional development for educators, shares resources and ideas on our website, celebrates I Love to Read month, promotes literacy in the community, honours literacy leaders and up-and-coming teacher candidates, and supports literacy projects. Join RCGW today!

Summer Reads for Teachers from the RCGW Board

6/30/2021

Congratulations, educators! Summer is here. The RCGW Board of Directors hopes your summer is filled with rest and relaxation. Here's what we are reading this summer to unwind. Enjoy!

For Kids

A is for Apple Unless... by Tom Llewellyn and Mark Hoffman (Picture Book)
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate Di Camillo (Chapter Book)
Read With Pride: Picture Books and Middle Grade Reading from Penguin Random House

For Adults

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith
The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben

Professional Reads

Who's Doing the Work? by Jan Burkins and Kim Yaris
Shifting the Balance: 6 Ways to Bring the Science of Reading into the Balanced Literay Classroom by Jan Burkins and Kari Yates
Marvelous Mini-Lessons for Teaching Writing (K-3 and 4-6) by Lori Jamison
Connecting with Students Online by Jennifer Seravallo
Declarative Language Handbook: Using a Thoughtful Language Style to Help Kids with Social Learning Challenges Feel Competent, Connected, and Understood by Linda Murphy
The Collaborative Classroom: Teaching Students How to Work Together Now and for the Rest of Their Lives by Trevor Muir.
The Joyful Classroom: Practical Ways to Engage and Challenge Elementary Students by the Centre for Responsive School
The Literacy Workshop: Where Reading and Writing Converge by Maria Walther and Karen Biggs-Tucker
Reading Revealed: 50 Expert Teachers Share What They Do and Why They Do It by Diane Stephens, Jerome C. Harste, and Jean Anne Clyde.
A Walking Curriculum: Evoking Wonder and Developing a Sense of Place, K-12 by Gillian Judson

Thanks to Andrew Crawford, Donna Copsey Haydey, Donna Hardman, Jackie Parsons, and Jon Sorokowski for their recommendations.

RCGW Presents Karen Filewych for MTS PD Day 2021

6/24/2021

The Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg is proud to announce Karen Filewych as our MTS PD Day 2021 speaker! We look forward to Karen leading us through a full day of virtual learning on Friday, October 22, 2021.

Karen is an Alberta-based educator and has twenty-five years of experience in the classroom and as a school leader. During her full-day virtual session, How Do I Get Them to Write?, Karen will offer K-8 teacher many practical strategies to empower all our students to improve their written expression. Together, we can collaborate to enhance the teaching of the writing processes K-8 in Manitoba.

Download Karen's free study guides for her books on writing: Freewriting with Purpose (2019) and How Do I Get Them to Write? (2017), both available from our Canadian colleagues at Pembroke Publishers. Karen's Instagram features excellent book recommendations, and her frequently updated blog offers helpful and timely suggestions.

Mark your calendars and prepare to register after September 1 through MTS My Profile. More information about registration fees and logistics will follow in August.

Book List: Indigenous Perspectives

6/19/2021

Written by Carol Hryniuk-Adamov, RCGW Member-at-Large

Here are some book suggestions for Summer Reading that explore Indigenous perspectives written by Indigenous authors. Support your local public library and bookseller!

Sandra Janzen, a reading clinician and Manitoba Council of Reading Clinicians (MCRC) representative to our provincial Manitoba Reading Association (MRA), and I have been previewing these for an MRA project in inner-city schools. Sandra made the original selection at our local bookstore. As I quickly previewed the books, I became so excited. I wanted to read and share each book with other readers and educators. So this summer, I hope to do a more in-depth reading of these picture books and graphic novels with my grandsons and their cousins at the cabin.

As I quickly previewed the books, I was so tempted to think about ways the books could be used in classrooms, at various levels. Some may be great choices for future read alouds or literature circles in your classrooms, at different levels. Older students can do an in-depth genre study of some of these picture books and graphic novels. Some readers could also practise these books to build confidence and fluency so they can share the books in performance reading, as guest readers/volunteers for a practicum or simple prearranged visit to a nearby elementary school in the future. This could become a collaborative, I Love to Read month project February.

Most of these books are also beautifully illustrated and provide thought-provoking images. They evoke a range of emotions, thoughts, and discussions. These illustrations deserve further study, as we look more in-depth at the powerful representation by the artists. Some of the illustrators are also award-winning Indigenous artists.

Stand Like a Cedar by Nicola I. Campbell; illustrated by Carrielynn Victor. This book will prepare you for summer walks in nature with children and discuss what they see and hear. They can learn new names for familiar animals in two Indigenous languages
Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox by Danielle Daniel. This book explores the importance of totem animals in Anishinaabe culture. You might discuss how animals can also act as animal guides for young children who seek to understand others and themselves. Talk about which totem animal you and the children might be.
Go Show the World by Wab Kinew; illustrated by Joe Morse. This book is written as a rap that briefly highlights the important achievements of several famous Indigenous people. You could explore other popular raps for different ages and stages. The book also includes mini-biographies that could launch more in depth biographies in your classroom. Great book for a thematic study of heroes and sheroes.

The Most Amazing Bird by Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak; ilustrated by Andrew Qappel. A story written by a famous Inuit author. Exploring his work would be a good introduction to prepare for a summer visit to Qaumajuq, the new Inuit art centre at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.
When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson; illustrated by Julie Flett (Governor General's Literacy Award Winners). This book is a powerful story about residential schools. It may evoke many complex emotions and experiences.
On the Trapline by David A. Robertson; illustrated by Julie Flett. David returns to his grandfather’s trap line with him one last time. So much to learn on the land. Remember we need to explore the land as text this summer.
Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith. This is a beautifully illustrated book about a young jingle dancer who is keeping her community’s traditions.

Siwa Tooskin Knows The Nature of Life and Siwa Tooskin Knows the Strength of His Hair by Charlene Bearhead and Wilson Bearhead; illustrated by Chloe Bluebird Mustooch. This series explores how the character Siwa Tooskin discovers the origins of many things in his culture. These are two books in a beautifully illustrated series about an 11-year-old Nakota boy, in a contemporary setting, who is exploring important aspects of his culture. This series could be explored in a class Literature Circle.
The Case of Windy Lake by Michael Hutchison. This is part of a mystery series for middle school students (tweens). Be prepared, some readers will be motivated to read the rest of the series.
The Scout: Tommy Prince by David A. Robertson; illustrated by Scott B. Henderson. One of several powerful biographies of famous Indigenous people. There is a street named for Tommy Prince in the North End of Winnipeg. The books in the series are presented as graphic novels and appeal to many students. There is also a teacher study guide for this series written by Winnipeg teacher and scholar Katya Adamov Ferguson.
A Girl Called Echo, Volume 1: Pemmican Wars by Katherena Vermette; illustrated by Scott B. Henderson, colour by Donovan Yaciuk. This is the first volume of a graphic novel mystery series that focuses on a heroine called Echo. Middle school readers may be eager to read more about Echo and complete the series.
For a short, powerful book of poetry for mature high school and adult readers, consider North End Love Songs by Katherene Vermette. She was the Governor General's Literacy Award Winner for this collection of poetry about life in Winnipeg’s famous North End.

These books are informal reading suggestions for your consideration this summer and are not in any preferential order.

Enjoy your summer reading with your family!

RCGW & MRA Celebrate Excellence in Literacy

6/16/2021

The Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg and the Manitoba Reading Association joined together to honour literacy leaders from around Manitoba at their annual awards evening, held virtually at the end of May 2021.

Holly Cumming was awarded the International Literacy Association's Celebrate Literacy Award in recognition of her passion, dedication, and commitment to literacy. Holly recently retired from her role as a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader. Over her 40-plus-year career, she facilitated, coordinated, and presented and numerous conferences locally, nationally, and internationally. Congratulations, Holly!

The Certificate of Merit was awarded to Talia Paetsch, a first-year teacher at the New Directions Inc. School, which supports sexually exploited girls and women. She centres strategic literacy in her teaching and finds creative ways to make learning relevant to her students. Her approach engages her students and keeps them coming to school, reducing their safety risks and increasing their opportunities for graduation. Congratulations, Talia!

RCGW Scholarships were awarded to Jessica Neudorf and Carrie Miller, students at the University of Manitoba. Jessica's scholarship citation described how she sees literacy's role in empowering students to express their voice and advocacy. Carrie's explored the importance of language, student needs, and supports for refugee and newcomer students. Read more about these exemplary new teachers. Congratulations, Jessica and Carrie!

The Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg welcomes award nominations each year. The nominations package for next school year's awards will be available in the fall.

Annual General Meeting

4/18/2021

The Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg is holding its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, May 18th at 4:30 via Zoom. As a valued member of our literacy community, we invite you to attend this meeting to hear about the good work our Council is doing to promote literacy in Manitoba and to also hear about ways you may be able to get involved and make a difference for Manitoba students and educators.

Our Board has also worked hard to revise our Constitution, so we invite you to view the proposed changes so that you are aware of what is being presented, and voted upon by membership, at the AGM. Thank you for taking the time to be active in your RCGW membership. We hope to see you at the AGM!

Please RSVP if you plan on attending by contacting Leslie Dickson at ledickson@shaw.ca, or Jackie Parsons at parfamily2006@gmail.com.

Notice was also provided to all members by email on April 14, 2021.

Professional Learning with ILA

4/12/2021

One of the silver linings of professional learning moving almost exclusively online is that there are numerous webinars available, most of which can be accessed for several weeks or months after the fact. We have been continually impressed by how well the International Literacy Association (ILA) has shifted their conferences and seminars online.

Check out ILA's series of FREE webinars available to members and non-members. There is something for everyone: equity, book access, Science of Reading, anti-racism, empowering students, tough conversations, and early literacy instruction.

There are also several ILA Webinars and ILA Intensives available for purchase for educators interested in a deeper dive into some of these topics.

Virtual Book Launch: Colleen Nelson's New YA Novel

4/10/2021

Winnipeg author and teacher Colleen Nelson will be doing a virtual book launch on Thursday, April 15, 2021, at 7 p.m. for her new book The Life and Deaths of Frankie D., a story about a fantastical circus and a girl with no past. For more information and to register, please visit McNally Robinson's website.

Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities

2/26/2021

Here are some upcoming professional learning opportunities you may find interesting.

Pembroke Publishers will present Supporting Student Mental Health, a free webinar, on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 6 p.m. Central with Kathy Lundy, author of Teaching Fairly in an Unfair World and Creating Caring Classrooms, and Joey Mandel, author of Stop the Stress in Schools and Moment to Moment. Both Kathy and Joey are from Ontario. (In addition to amplifying the voices of Canadian educators, Pembroke Publishers also distributes Stenhouse Publishers in Canada.)

Today’s students are dealing with unprecedented changes, issues, and demands. Author-educators Joey Mandel and Kathy Lundy have the tips and tools you need to respond to kids’ feelings, questions, and challenges in proactive and positive ways.

How do you support your child, without taking away their opportunities to attempt difficult tasks or navigate hard moments? Joey Mandel, author of Keep Growing, will focus on how we can respond to children when they are having BIG feelings, so we can begin to understand…
• when to move in and help a child through a struggle
• when you can help a child most by stepping back and letting them experience a difficult situation
• what tools we can give children so they are able to take initiative, and attempt to tackle challenges on their own

School should not be a difficult place for students to be. Instead, it should be a place where they are nurtured and cared for as well as challenged and taught. Kathy Lundy, author of Teaching Fairly in an Unfair World, 2nd Edition, will illustrate ways that we can support the mental health of our students by making them feel valued, welcome, and safe. As collective “communities of conscience” emerge, each member of the classroom will have an ethical responsibility to understand each other, be sensitive to differences, and be kind to one another. Once the groundwork has been done by everyone, exploring curriculum connections to oneself and others becomes richer and more authentic.

Image Source: @ILAToday on Twitter. https://twitter.com/ILAToday/status/1363620011475091462

The International Literacy Association (ILA) will present Culturally Relevant and Responsive: Literacy Instruction in 2021 and Beyond, on Tuesday, March 9, 1–4 p.m. Eastern. The event will feature keynote speaker Gloria Ladson-Billings, host Pamela Mason, and panelists Lucía Cárdenas Curiel, Matthew R. Kay, and Guofang Li. ILA writes that the event will address "how educators can identify the effects their own backgrounds and implicit biases have on teaching and learning; how to question pedagogy and policies that negatively impact learner outcomes; and proactive steps literacy and school leaders can take to dismantle oppressive systems." The cost to register is $99 USD.

Also, if you missed ILA Next this fall, you can now purchase learning packages as part of ILA Next On Demand. The packages feature the main stage sessions, learning labs, and pathway workshops. These webinars are available until August 15, 2021 and vary in price. Many RCGW board members participated in ILA Next this fall – and they loved the experience! Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from inspiring educators.