SoMIRAC+2010

Here is a brief listing of some of the people we saw, met and listened to during the 2010 SoMIRAC held in Hunt Valley, MD, April 14, 15 and 16. Next year, I need to remember: bring a camera, bring multiple copies of books, get a room with some others, spend more time in the author sessions instead of the instructional sessions!

Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools [|Education Changes and Race to the Top overview] [|Powerpoint]

Strategies for Reading Informational Texts [|Dr. Duke's presentation] [|Dr. Nell Duke's information]

Author Jaime Adoff //Freaks, The Death of Jason Porter, Jimmie and Me// See notes: discusses he work with troubled teens and how he values their stories [|Homepage with resources]

Vocabulary with Margaret McKeowan See notes: key strategies necessary for reinforcing vocabulary acquisition [|Amazon book list]

Author Mary Downing Hahn

See notes: great anecdotes about her life and writings, especially Stepping on the Cracks and "ghosts," includes comments on her relationship with her editor and changes that have happened in YA literature [|Mary Down Hahn's page]

Author Charles R. Smith Jr. Wide range of texts, from poetry books, photo-essays, novels, DVD, etc. See notes: interactive and engaging poetry activities [|Charles Smith Jr.'s webpage]

Author Gail Carson Levine Ella Enchanted [|(Information)] [|Gail Carson Levine's blog]

Researcher Tim Rasinki Fluency Expert [|Presentation materials]

Author Pam Munoz Ryan [|Pam Munzo Ryan's webpage] [|A video interview from Reading Rockets]

Author Bruce Coville He also does Shakespeare retellings [|The Prince of Butterflies is a touching children's book!] [|Bruce Coville's blog]

Author T.A. Barron A Heroe's Trail: go to the webpage, go to for educators and request a FREE gift box with FREE materials! [|(here is an easy link] Main webpage: [|T.A. Barron's webpage]

Author Sarah Weeks Page includes links top readers theater scripts [|Sarah Weeks' webpage]

Authors Readers Theater A wonderfully powerful performance of authors reading "performing" excerpts from their works [|Web page]