MTS PD Day 2023 with Canadian Author and Educator Dr. Larry Swartz & Notice of AGM

Registration Information

The link to register will be posted here when available. 

• RCGW & MRA Membership and Conference Registration Fee: $100.00
• Conference Only Registration Fee: $120.00
• BEd Student Membership and Registration Fee: $50.00

​By purchasing a RCGW membership, you can apply for our numerous member benefits, including literacy project grants, author visit grants, professional development incentive funds, and professional book giveaways! 

Registration opens Monday, August 29 at 8:00 a.m. and closes Thursday, October 12 at 11:59 p.m.

​Refunds are available until Thursday, October 12, 2023. After October 12, refunds will not be issued, except due to illness or family emergency. Requests must be submitted no later than Monday, October 30, and include medical documentation. Conference fees, less a $20.00 cancellation fee, will be given for cancellations received in writing.

​If you have any questions regarding the conference or registrations, please contact Elizabeth Logan by email at [email protected].

Schedule

8:00-8:50 a.m. – Registration (Coffee and light refreshments provided)
8:50-9:15 a.m. – Welcome and Introductions

9:15-10:10 a.m. – Teaching Tough Topics in Challenging Times – Larry will demonstrate how to lead students to become caring citizens as they read and respond to quality children’s literature. It will focus on topics that can be challenging or sensitive, yet are significant in order to build understanding of social justice, diversity, and equity. Racism, Homophobia, Bullying, Religious Intolerance, Poverty, and Physical and Mental Challenges are just some of the themes that will be explored. Larry promotes the belief that by using picture books, novels, poetry, and nonfiction, teachers can enrich learning with compassion and empathy as students make connections to texts, to others, and to the world.

10:10-10:30 a.m. – Break

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. – Making Reading and Writing Connections (You Can’t Have One Without the Other) – In this session, Larry will offer participants a range of practical strategies and lessons intended to help teachers and students discover and investigate the reading / writing connection. He will provide an overview of The Functions of Writing, consider the essentials of a writing program, and provide as an overview of 65+ ready-to-use lessons to enrich the literacy program. Recent examples of children’s literature will be featured in order to encourage the use of mentor texts as models and springboards for student writing.

12:00-1:00 p.m. – Sorrento’s Buffet Lunch (Included in Registration) 

1:00-2:00 p.m. – Stop the Hate for Goodness Sake – In this practical session, Larry will provide an overview of why? what? and how? classroom teachers can disrupt discrimination, promote hope, foster healing, and inspire joyful learning.  A series of lessons will be introduced to encourage discussion and reflection through various response modes. Children’s literature will be shared as resources to support classroom experiences of discussing the issue of hate and discrimination and consider suggested ways for teachers and students to take action.

2:00-2:15 p.m. – Break
2:15-2:45 p.m. – Session Continues
2:45-3:00 p.m. Closing Remarks and Book Draws (Winners must be in attendance)

Notice of Annual General Meeting: The Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg's Annual General Meeting will follow the book draws. All members are invited to learn more about the Reading Council of Greater Winnipeg and how to get involved!