Reading and Writing Mini Conference

On February 6, 2010, over 70 teachers, librarians, administrators and student teachers from Sumter School Districts 2, 17, University of South Carolina, and surrounding private schools gathered at Pocalla Springs Elementary to attend the first (possibly annual) reading and writing mini conference. The primary objective of the conference was to provide elementary school teachers with model lessons and/or strategies that can immediately be implemented in the classroom. Local teachers conducted breakout sessions that focused on research-based instructional strategies for building and strengthening reading-writing connections within specific genres.

Peggy Bing-O'banner was the keynote speaker. She engaged the teachers with a keynote about the essential elements and issues surrounding reading and writing connections.

With knowledge gained from the Reading and Writing Mini Conference, teachers are tasked with facilitating projects that will further engage students in meaningful writing activities and sharing their knowledge in professional development settings.
-Submitted by Ureka Hilton