Note: As of January 27, we have postponed this event until the spring. Please check back for more information! ![]() Please join us for a professional learning opportunity with Dr. Jennifer Watt, Emily Kipe, and Katie Martin on Monday, February 3, 2025. For more information and to register, please contact [email protected]. ![]()
To All Schools, "I Love to Read Month" is a month long celebration that is held each year to encourage reading, writing, and sharing in the joy of literacy. This year’s theme is "Building Bridges." This theme is meant to help develop deeper connections within our diverse communities, while engaging with literacy in meaningful and impactful ways. On behalf of the Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg (RCGW), the I Love to Read Committee has prepared the attached idea calendar. The RCGW is a group of dedicated educators who meet monthly to share and work to promote knowledge and awareness of lifelong literacy and learning. Please share the idea calendar with teachers, students and their families. It would make a great addition to your school newsletter. Activities are included for students of all ages to have them explore different ways of engaging with literacy. We hope that both teachers and students will have fun with the suggested activities and that they will challenge the students to learn something new. We also hope that families will be able to share the excitement of reading and writing together. In addition to the idea calendar, the RCGW will be making a monetary donation to the Cancer Care Unit at the Children’s Hospital, so that the staff can continue to update their children’s and teen’s libraries and magazine subscriptions. This provides children, teens, as well as parents with reading materials that are appealing and entertaining, as well as supportive. The RCGW thanks you for sharing this idea calendar with teachers and families. By doing so, you are helping to empower our students to change the world. Sincerely, Brittany Irwin I Love to Read Committee Chair Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg Download the I Love to Read Month calendar and cover letter: ![]()
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Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document. Literacy teachers know what often accompanies December's arrival: Friends, family, and community members asking which books would make the best presents over the holidays for loved ones. And as readers, we have several trusted sources when it comes to the best books of the season.
Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award (MYRCA) Books These Canadian titles are vetted by a group of volunteers that includes librarians and teachers. Sundogs nominees are recommended for students in Grades 4–6, while the Northern Lights nominees are for older students in Grades 7–9. Watch. Connect. Read. John Schu, better known simply as Mr. Schu, continues to provide excellent recommendations for readers of all ages. An annual highlight is Schu's Mock Caldecott list, where he and colleagues partner to guess at which books will win the annual Caldecott Medal. We always find inspiring picture books on Mr. Schu's lists. By the way, if you haven't read Louder than Hunger, Mr. Schu's first YA book based on his own experiences as a teenager, you should definitely check it out. McNally Robinson's Books of the Season We have fond memories of visiting McNally Robinson and checking out their Books of the Season displays and lists. This year's edition online provides suggestions for all readers. We have deep trust in McNally's booksellers to share which books create buzz and would make excellent gifts. The Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg executive members wish you a wonderful holiday season. Happy reading! The Pembina Escarpment Reading Council presents teacher Jackie de Vries for a free, virtual professional learning opportunity, "How to Use UFLI in Your Classroom." The session will occur Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. Please register by emailing the address on the poster below.
Join us for a transformative day of professional learning with Ellin Oliver Keene, renowned author and literacy expert, as we explore the Integrating Reading and Writing for Engaged Learning in students. This session is designed for educators teaching Grades 3 through 9 who are looking to tackle the common challenges of literacy instruction. Come on your own as a group to learn with Ellin Oliver Keene at the Caboto Centre. The registration fee includes RCGW membership, a delicious, buffet-style Sorrento's lunch, publisher's display, and plenty of free parking. Don't delay. Register today! Session Description Teachers are all too familiar with the complex issues in teaching reading and writing: how do we teach standards effectively; how do we differentiate meaningfully; how do we engender deeper thinking in students? Perhaps our greatest challenge in literacy instruction, though, is the tyranny of time. We struggle to find:
Most of us learned to read and write as separate subjects making it difficult to craft instruction that integrates reading and writing but when we do make integration work, the impact on students is enormous. We find that students are far more engaged and their learning more permanent when they understand how the same objective or standard impacts them as readers and writers. We can help students craft more potent written pieces and comprehend more deeply if we integrate instruction. Let’s talk about the nitty gritty of launching a Literacy Studio in your classroom! About the Presenter Ellin Oliver Keene is a highly experienced educator, staff developer, and literacy consultant who has worked with schools and districts across the U.S. and internationally. She brings a wealth of knowledge on long-term, school-based professional development and literacy planning. Her latest book, The Literacy Studio: Redesigning the Workshop for Readers and Writers, focuses on modernizing the Readers/Writers Workshop model. Ellin has held significant roles throughout her career, including serving as the director of literacy and staff development for the Cornerstone Project at the University of Pennsylvania. She currently serves as a senior advisor at Heinemann, overseeing the Heinemann Fellows initiative. Ellin is the author and editor of several highly acclaimed books, including Engaging Children: Igniting the Drive for Deeper Learning and Talk About Understanding: Rethinking Classroom Talk to Enhance Understanding. Learn more about Ellin Oliver Keene at https://www.mosaicliteracy.com/. LogisticsLocation: Centro Caboto Centre, 1055 Wilkes Avenue, Winnipeg, MB Date: October 25, 2024 08:15 am - 08:55 am – Registration 09:00 am - 12:00 pm – Session 12:00 pm - 01:00 pm – Lunch (INCLUDED!) 01:00 pm - 02:45 pm – Session 02:45 pm - 03:15 pm – Closing Remarks and Book Draws (Winners must be in attendance to claim their prize!) Conference and Membership Fees
We are not accepting "membership-only" purchases during the registration period for MTS PD Day. If you would like to purchase or renew your membership without attending the conference, please visit us on or after November 1, 2024. Cancellation Policy: No refunds will be issued after Thursday, October 17, 2024. After this date, refunds will not be issued unless it is due to illness or family emergency. Requests must be submitted no later than Monday, October 28 and include medical documentation. Conference fees, less a $20.00 cancellation fee, will be given for cancellations received in writing. If you require any additional information about this conference, please contact Elizabeth Logan by email at [email protected] or text (204) 226-2476. We are thrilled to congratulate Carol Hryniuk-Adamov, the recipient of the International Literacy Association's Maryann Manning Special Service Award! Carol’s lifelong dedication to literacy has made a profound impact worldwide.
The Maryann Manning Special Service Award is a prestigious recognition given to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional and distinguished service to the field of literacy throughout their lifetime. Congratulations, Carol! Every year, the Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg (RCGW) and Manitoba Reading Association (MRA) works together to honour exceptional educators and leaders from across Manitoba.
“Celebrating the achievements of our award winners is always a highlight for RCGW,” said President Leslie Dickson. “Our scholarship and merit awards honour teachers who have shown remarkable dedication to advancing literacy and education in our community. Their passion inspires us all.” This year, RCGW awarded the Certificate of Merit to three inspiring teachers: Julia Martin of Bairdmore School, Shayla Refik of Dalhousie School, and Paula Sasdelli of École River Heights. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in literacy in the areas of research, classroom teaching, or teacher education. Additionally, the RCGW Scholarship Award, which is given to promising teacher candidates, was awarded to Nina Bakija from the University of Manitoba. The MRA also honoured several individuals with its Crocus Awards. The Crocus Literacy Award for Administrators was presented to Patricia Williamson-Crocatt of École R. W. Bobby Bend School and Cathy-Ann Winters of Shamrock School. The MRA Crocus Award for Literacy Advocacy was awarded to Anabela Nicolau and Twila Richardson. In a special highlight, Jodianna Paterson received the International Literacy Association (ILA) Celebrate Literacy Award. Adding to the accoldates, RCGW earned the ILA’s Honour Award for the 38th year. This award recognizes local groups that organize and conduct well-rounded programs serving the chapter members. The ceremony, held in late May at the Niakwa Country Club, was attended by nearly fifty guests who were undoubtedly inspired by the achievements of this year’s award recipients. RCGW extends special thanks to Heather Greidanus, who chaired this year’s awards committee. Congratulations to all the award winners and thank you for your invaluable contributions to our community! The Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg proudly supports the Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Awards. Congratulations to this year's winners! MYRCA has also announced next year's nominees. Check out the MYRCA website at http://www.myrca.ca/ for the latest pamphlet to share with your school communities.
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