(De)Normalizing Literature Conference

(De)Normalizing Literature supports teachers in understanding their own biases and how those biases show up in our literature and instructional practices. As teachers, we can help students make sense of what they read, challenge ideas, and recognize problematic storytelling. As teachers, we need to show and teach our students learn critical tools they can use to read the world around them.

Join the California Reading and Literature Project in this 2-day professional development conference of learning and celebrating the diversity of our students and educators. The conference will showcase the work of districts that have experienced the (De)Normalizing Literature professional development, sessions by teacher experts, and words of wisdom from experts in literacy and culturally responsive practices. The event will also welcome various diverse local authors who will host sessions specific to their experiences and journeys.

The conference fee includes breakfast and lunch, keynote sessions, expert workshops, author talks, vendor events, reception, and a swag bag with materials.

Keynote Speaker

Ronald Preston Clark - "Saturday Chores Were Only Fun With Music" It is simple, really. Students do not view reading as a leisure activity because educators have turned it into a chore. We have removed the joy, the energy, the fun, the intrigue, the angst, the wonder from the pages and morphed it into an arduous task attached to boredom and forced anxiety. We have forgotten why we love reading so much in the first place. So, how do we bring back that love for reading to a generation of readers with everything they could ever know already in the palm of their hands or on a computer screen? We team up with all educational stakeholders and bring back the joy.

Guest Speaker

Dr. Annamarie Francois - "Literature as a Catalyst for Social Change: A Call to Action" Literature has the power to challenge perceptions of the past while helping us to imagine a more caring, equitable, and just future. It pushes readers to develop a critical consciousness, thoughtfully engage in political, cultural, and social conversations, and ignites an individual and collective urgency for social justice-oriented change. In this address, Dr. Francois will discuss the role of literature in social movements over time, the urgent need for us to use literature as a catalyst for social change in today's highly contested socio-political environment, and open space for creating "good trouble" through the use of literacture to advance social justice. Literature as a Catalyst for Social Change: A Call to Action.

Workshops

On Friday, May 31, 2024, there will be workshops with fantastic speakers.

Literacy and Racial Justice Go Hand and Hand (PK-12) - This session delves into the historical interconnectedness between literacy as a form of property and its role in perpetuating power and privilege for certain groups. We will explore how literacy has evolved due to historical shifts and aim to refocus our understanding of literacy within diverse cultural contexts, acknowledging its fluid and varied interpretations beyond mere cognitive ability. The discussion will conclude with reflections on our responsibilities as scholars in the field of literacy. This session will not emphasize skill development; rather, its focus will be on fostering discussion to deepen our understanding of the significant historical link between literacy and race. Exploring this connection has the potential to transform how we leverage literacy in the pursuit of racial justice.

I Don't Like To Read... and Other Excuses (6-12) - There are many options when choosing books for your students to read. But has the literary canon narrowed your view of what books you should teach? Could you go an entire school year without teaching from an academically traditional perspective? Are you still teaching books that have no connection to post-pandemic youth? In this workshop, we examine the intricacies of book selections and their impact on reading levels through interactive activities, reflection, and discussion.

Empowering Black Families Through Reading - Join Dr. Regina Tillman and Dr. Amber Willis as they discuss how to promote reading in the home of African American families by partnering with staff, parents, community, and students: This presentation will explore why early literacy is important, how to create partnerships with families, and how to end the literacy gap currently happening in the African American communities across this country.

The Forgotten History of Chinese Americans (6-12) - This workshop will cover many forgotten historical accounts of Chinese Americans in California from the mid-19th century to World War II. Smith will discuss the impact of Chinese Exclusion Act, the history of Chinese Americans in gold mining, railroad construction, Old Chinatown, China City and World War II participation. Primary source documents and recommended trade books will be discussed. Participants will receive free cross-curricular student activities and teacher’s guide of Mei Ling in China City.

Level Up: Building an Educational Environment Where Equity and Justice Prevails - Since 1981, our school had been a leader of educational excellence, but something was missing. Students were engaging in courageous conversations about race, yet our colleagues hadn’t. Then came the racial reckoning of 2020, and we couldn’t wait any longer. In this workshop, we’ll discuss our school's equity journey, sharing lessons learned and insights gained in the hope of inspiring participants to “level up” their commitment to building educational environments where equity and justice prevail.

Normalizing (De)Normalizing Literature -- Building capacity and teacher buy-in (6-12) - Join DeDe Dryer as she takes on your journey and discovery of how she developed teacher buy-in, changed the way of selecting new titles, provided training and resources, and moved 120 teachers further along the Cultural Proficiency Continuum.

African Roots in Latin American Dances: Special focus on Peru, Honduras & Dominican Republic - A population that does not receive enough attention is Latinos of African descent. We will discuss these roots in dances from Peru, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. You will participate and learn three different dances that can be incorporated into your classroom during Latin Heritage Month or throughout the school year. ¡Vamos a bailar!

Author Workshop Sessions

On Saturday, June 1, 2024, there will be workshop sessions with diverse authors.

How To Write An Award Winning Bilingual Children's Book (PK-8) - Bilingual children’s author CJ Charles will share her secrets to creating award-winning children’s books. Attendees will learn how to write memorable stories and create characters that are loved by children. She will also share her tips on how to print and market your children’s book. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have the opportunity to create their own children's books.

Author Talk (6-12) - Join Tracy Badua, an award-winning author of middle grade and young adult works, as she discusses her own writing journey and body of work and how today’s diverse authors navigate and challenge existing narratives and broaden the representation of marginalized communities we see in children’s literature.

Integrating Human Rights and Genocide into Curriculum: Cambodian Genocide (6-12) - Nearly 50 years after the fall of Democratic Kampuchea, Cambodia is still coping with the painful legacies of genocide. More than 2 million innocent Cambodian citizens were murdered by their own country during the bloodthirsty Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979. This workshop will examine the secret war of the U.S. in Cambodia and the rise and fall of the Khmer Rouge regime. Recommended books and primary resource materials will be discussed.

Finding Mirrors, Windows and Sliding Glass Doors: Equity Through Literature (PK-12)- Explore how culturally relevant literature can bring equity into the classroom. This session examines current literature to identify "windows" for diverse perspectives, "mirrors" reflecting students' identities, and "sliding glass doors" to encourage empathy and understanding. Geared towards educators, principals, and curriculum directors, this 1-hour presentation offers practical strategies for incorporating inclusive texts, fostering cultural awareness, and promoting a more equitable educational environment.

Transformative journey celebrating diversity and culturally responsive literacy. (K-8) - Join Annette McKinney, author, mother, and early childhood educator, on a transformative journey celebrating diversity and culturally responsive literacy. Discover strategies that empowered her daughter to embrace her voices and become an author at 7. Learn how she created an equitable learning environment that honored her unique identity and potential. Don't miss this opportunity to amplify diverse voices, discover your new favorite kid’s literature, and foster a sense of connection with and through literature.

Implementing Black Literary Societies in High School - Join Pamela Lovett in a session that will focus on a pilot to support Black high schoolers in their academic, social-emotional, and cultural development by implementing Black Literary Societies. Ms. Lovett will share implementation efforts, including key aspects of curriculum and instruction, support for teachers and students, and place-based learning opportunities consisting of an HBCU tour, visits to sites significant to the Black experience and learning experiences at Harvard University. Participants will learn frameworks that can support the implementation of this program in their own contexts.

* * Workshops subject to change **

Date: May 31, 2024 and June 1, 2024

Location: Mission Pacific Resort in Oceanside, CA

Registration

Standard Fee: $75 per person

Payment can be made via credit card, personal check (made to UC Regents), & school/District check/Purchase orders.

*CRLP Signature Professional Learning Programs and Conferences meets criteria for professional learning in Title IX, LCAP, LCFF, and ESEA’s High-Quality Professional Development for Title I, III, V and VII, Part A; and for Title II, Part A and B.*

Contact: c3white@ucsd.edu for more information