Mosaic Literary Conference 2009

The 2009 Mosaic Literary Conference presents creative ways for keeping books and reading valuable sources of knowledge and creativity. This day of professional-development workshops will help educators incorporate literature into existing curricula to further explore course work that focuses on cultures, history, and social studies.

EARLY REGISTRATION: $40

INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION: $50
GROUP REGISTRATION: $37 (3 or more)
Registration includes gift bag, continental breakfast, lunch, and a 1-year subscription to Mosaic.

Event Schedule

9-10am
• Registration/Breakfast

10:00-11:00
• Mosaic Literary Magazine Workshop: Using literature and lesson plans in the classroom
Facilitator: Eisa Ulen

Our workshops and lesson plans help educators present creative ways for keeping books and reading valuable sources of knowledge and creativity.

11:00-12:15
• Harlem Renaissance Poets: Creating An Authentic Voice
Facilitator: Femi Lewis

This workshop will offer insight to educators and teaching artists on how to incorporate literature, art and history in the classroom. For parents, it will help them understand the connection between history and literature and how to help students become ready to ace standardized tests and hone reading and writing skills for college preparation.

• The Door of No Return: Finding Self and Home in Historical Fiction
This workshop will ask participants to explore the concept and practice of Diaspora.
Facilitator: Zetta Elliott

Drawing on my historical time-travel novel, A Wish After Midnight, and an excerpt of Dionne Brand’s meditative essay on mapping home, we will consider the metaphoric value of “the Door of No Return.”

12:30-1:45 Lunch

2:00-3:15
• Integrating Literacy and Art in the Classroom: Using Historical and Current Events to Inform Literary Criticism and Visual Narratives
Facilitators: Gabrielle David and Nikita Hunter

For years, the general perception has been that literature is an isolated discipline worth of the humanists alone; that there are few, if any, connections between literature and other various art forms, and that culture is an all-inclusive phenomenon. As a result of the 21st century technological advancements that spur the increased exchange of information and ideas, the popular perception of the world shrinks to a global village.

• Flipping the Script: Using Movie Adaptations to Generate Students’ Interest in Reading
Facilitator: Sofia Quintero

Many kids have watched the movies Twilight or Holes, but how many have actually read the novels on which these films are based? One challenge facing adults who strive to encourage reading among youth is the proliferation of competing media such as television shows and video games. This workshop aims to give participants’ concrete strategies on how to use movies adapted from books to spark interest in reading the books themselves.

3:30-4:45
• Story Quilting: Using Imagery & Descriptive Word Play to Develop Literature Appreciation
Facilitator: Khadijah Ali-Coleman

The “Story Quilting…” workshop engages workshop participants in an activity that will illustrate how arts-based activities can develop key language and literacy skills in emerging readers. Workshop participants will learn how to link books of different reading levels to relevant arts activities while also learning strategies to use arts activities as pathways to discussion to inquiry.

• Literary Mentorship: Building a Pipeline of Great Readers, Writers, and Thinkers
Facilitators: Tracey Michae'l Lewis and Jessica Harris

Parents, educators, and writing professionals can play a critical role in the development of literary talent and literary appreciation in young people. In fact, individual or organizational mentorship is one way we can make a significant impact in the way student’s view reading and writing, as well as in their ability to increase their literacy and critical thinking abilities.

Conference Date: November 7, 2009
Location: Hostos Community College
450 Grand Concourse at 149th St., Bronx, NY
http://mosaicmagazine.org/literary-conference.html


Our goal…
The Literary Freedom Project seeks to restore the importance of reading books as an essential tool for creating intelligent, productive, and engaged young people.

Conference Date: November 7, 2009
Location: Hostos Community College
450 Grand Concourse at 149th St., Bronx, NY
Trains: 2, 4, or 5 to 149th St/Grand Concourse
Buses: BX1, BX2, or BX19

Registration includes gift bag, continental breakfast, lunch and a 1-year subscription to Mosaic. Official website www.mosaicmagazine.org/literary-conference.html