VAASL 2024 Annual Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to the VAASL 2024 Fall Conference App!
Telling Our Story through an incredible program of sessions and events.

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1:00pm EST

Critical Thinkers are Mini-Makers

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST

Piedmont B

Learn to utilize mini-maker projects with written story problems that require students to analyze a situation and decide on a solution. Then, each student creates the Mini-Maker solution with the provided materials. After completing the project, students reflect on the solution and project. BYOD for this hands-on session.

Speakers

Taryn Barlow

Librarian, Chickahominy Middle School

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Piedmont B

Instruction

AASL Include, Explore, Engage
Audience Elementary School - Intermediate, Middle School, High School

1:00pm EST

Same Wheel, Different Spokes: Ensuring All Students in Your Library Can R.I.D.E.!

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST

Piedmont C

Creating library lessons that are accessible to all students can be challenging. This session focuses on how to design instruction that supports (RIDE) Relevant Inclusive Differentiated Education. Participants will leave with strategies, tips, and concrete examples to support all students by focusing on ways to provide appropriate scaffolding, extension, and language support through process differentiation.

Speakers

Lisa Chandler

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Piedmont C

Instruction

AASL Inquire, Include
Audience Middle School

1:00pm EST

Innovative Ways to Engage Readers with Diverse Learning Styles

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST

Allegheny C

Innovative approaches provide multiple access points into stories for readers of all learning styles. This interactive session, led by acclaimed authors Jo Watson Hackl and Landra Jennings, will utilize the VARK learning-style model as a starting point for equipping you with tools and techniques to use with your learners. Break-outs will be used during this multi-sensory session. Attendees will leave with hand-outs and resources.

Join us for this fun and informative session. Free swag and door prizes!

Speakers

Jo Watson Hackl

Guest Presenter, Author

Jo Watson Hackl is the national best-selling author of SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF MAYBE (Random House Children’s Books/Yearling Adventure), which won the Southern Book Prize and is an Amazon Teacher’s Pick and a “Read Across America” selection representing the state of Mississippi... Read More →

Landra Jennings

Author

Landra Jennings is the author of middle-grade fantasy novels The Whispering Fog and Wand published by HarperCollins Clarion Books. Her novel The Whispering Fog is a 2024-2025 SC Junior Book Award Nominee and a current SC Battle of the Books selection. Landra holds an MFA in Writing... Read More →

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Allegheny C

Instruction Literature

AASL Inquire, Include, Explore
Audience Elementary School - Intermediate, Middle School

1:00pm EST

ISTE 24 Conference Highlights

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST

Tidewater D

Experience the ITSE conference in 45 minutes. Learn tips, new information, websites, makerspace ideas, and more. Highlights will include accessibility tips, makerspace ideas (with and without technology), media evaluation, and cross-curricular STEM integration. No AI topics will be covered.

Speakers

Tamara Ingalls

Librarian, RIPPON MIDDLE SCHOOL

Middle School Librarian in Prince Williamb County, VA.Previously a science teacher.Lover of books, science, cats, naps, games, and soft blankets.Forever searching for delicious, celiac safe, gluten and dairy free, cakes, pies, and pastries.

Wednesday November 6, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Tidewater D

Instruction Programming Technology

AASL Collaborate, Curate
Audience All Levels

2:00pm EST

Using Picture Books to Enhance and Enrich the SSGS Curriculum

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST

Piedmont A

Librarians will learn about a collaboration between middle school library staff and 7th grade social studies teachers who explored different ways to use fiction and nonfiction picture books within daily social studies lessons. Librarians will walk away with a list of picture books and corresponding activities/lessons. Includes ideas for using picture books with all areas of secondary SSGS curriculum.

Speakers

Melissa Larson

Librarian, BRAMBLETON MIDDLE SCHOOL

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST
Piedmont A

Collection Development Instruction Literature

AASL Inquire, Collaborate, Explore, Engage
Audience Middle School, High School

2:00pm EST

Stuck in the Middle with You

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST

Piedmont C

Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right? Middle school librarianship can often feel that way. Join me for collaborative lesson activity ideas for grades 6-8, covering social studies, language arts, and science. Emphasis on interactive learning: breakouts, stations, podcasts and more!

Speakers

Tanya Parrott

Librarian, The Nokesville School

This is my 27th year as a librarian: public, elementary, middle, high, and currently working at a K-8 school. I love live music, reading, running, and watching hockey. Would like to use more 21st c. tools and primary sources in my instruction. Looking for a 12-step program to break... Read More →

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST
Piedmont C

Instruction

AASL Collaborate, Engage
Audience Middle School

2:00pm EST

Language Arts Live! A Collaborative Storytelling Experience

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST

Patriot AB

Virginia author David Gorman shares his author talk that’s “a Language Arts lesson with gameshow energy!” Learn about this memorable lesson that will: teach the elements of story, inspire students to write fiction, and bring guaranteed giggles. Best of all, it can be easily replicated at your school.

Speakers

David Gorman

Author & Speaker for Kids 8-12

David Gorman loves inspiring students to read and write. He is the author of the Waldameer Mystery Files series, in which kids solve mysteries at an amusement park. Each book includes positive themes and a Discussion Guide for teachers. When he's not writing or speaking at schools... Read More →

Wednesday November 6, 2024 2:00pm - 2:45pm EST
Patriot AB

Instruction Programming

AASL Include, Collaborate, Explore
Audience Elementary School - Intermediate, Middle School

3:00pm EST

Biliteracy in the Library

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST

Piedmont B

School libraries are a bridge to access, support, and develop biliteracy skills while instilling a love of reading and creating life-ready learners. Using the AASL Standards Framework for Learners, we will look at each domain with a biliteracy lens to guide our teaching, curation work, and school community engagement.

Speakers

Jennifer Hill

School Librarian, Librarian, Holladay ES, Henrico County Public Schools

Hola! I am a school librarian at Holladay Elementary in Henrico County, VA. I built the county's first biliterate library collection and we are home to a thriving library program that supports students in both English and Spanish languages. I am a culturally-focused librarian... Read More →

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST
Piedmont B

Collection Development Instruction Literature Professional Growth Programming

AASL Inquire, Include, Collaborate, Curate, Explore, Engage
Audience All Levels

3:00pm EST

Tell Your Story with Twine

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST

Liberty AB

Learn how to use Twine as a way to create interactive stories. This can be used with all subjects and is an easy way to integrate computer science standards! Please be sure to bring your own device as we will be spending the session writing our own Choose Your Own Adventure Stories!

Speakers

Emily Cissell

Librarian, Thornburg Middle School

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST
Liberty AB

Instruction Literature Technology

AASL Inquire, Collaborate, Explore, Engage
Audience All Levels

3:00pm EST

Transform Learning Through Creativity with Adobe Express

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST

Piedmont C

Unleash student creativity in your library. Explore Adobe Express for Education, a free design platform for educators and students. Craft graphics, videows, presentations, and more. Discover cutting-edge AI tools and ways to integrate Adobe Express into your teaching. Boost engagement and learning. Leave with fresh ideas and the confidence to ignite your students' (and staff's) creative spark! BYOD

Speakers

Sherry Gick

Senior Director of Professional Development Programs, Five Star

Sherry is the Senior Director of Professional Development Programs for Five Star Technology Solutions. A former teacher-librarian and special education teacher with 20 years of experience with students K-12, she now enjoys working with educators across the nation on effective technology... Read More →

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST
Piedmont C

Instruction Professional Growth Technology

AASL Curate, Explore, Engage
Audience Elementary School - Intermediate, Middle School, High School

3:00pm EST

Weaving Digital Citizenship into the Everyday Narrative

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST

Allegheny C

This will be an in-person presentation that will discuss the Model Policy concerning Internet Safety and the Digital Learning Integration Standards focusing mainly on the strand of Digital Citizenship including explanation, resources, and performance indicators. This is an important step towards adding in new and emerging technologies, which includes AI, Virtual Reality, and other rising educational technologies.

Speakers

Ryan Champney

Instructional Technology Specialist, Virginia Department of Education

Virginia Department of EducationInstructional Technology Specialist for the Office of Educational Technology and Classroom Innovation

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:00pm - 3:45pm EST
Allegheny C

Instruction Professional Growth Technology

AASL Inquire, Collaborate, Explore, Engage
Audience All Levels