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.

10:00am EST

Unlocking Student Voice Through Poetry and Play

Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST

Allegheny AB

Poetry can feel intimidating to students, yet it's the perfect medium to express their feelings. The key is getting over the fear of the blank page. Hear about how we've used found poetry and other text manipulatives in a workshop setting to get students writing, and loving, poetry.

Speakers

Jeannine Everett

Librarian, LCPS

I'm a middle school librarian who loves "we can't do this, can we?" ideas. WeVideo Education Ambassador, Newsela Certified Educator and Future Ready Librarian. I'm passionate about media and news literacy, building student research skills and using technology tools to foster student... Read More →

Thursday November 7, 2024 10:00am - 10:45am EST
Allegheny AB

Instruction

AASL Collaborate, Explore
Audience Middle School, High School

11:00am EST

Telling Your Story

Thursday November 7, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EST

Allegheny AB

Award-winning author Larry Issa, a Virginia native, shares his insights on self-expression and indie publishing, highlighting the innovative picture books he's crafting. Discover how his engaging author visits, and interactive classroom activities, bring his stories to life, inspiring young minds and fostering creativity.

Speakers

Larry Issa

Author/Book Designer, Get Back in the Book!

This extraordinary tale, written by Larry Issa, features stunning illustrations by Emma Chadwick. More than transporting young readers to faraway places, Get Back in the Book! shows them the powerful and positive impact of books and storytelling.Come say hello to Larry Issa, a multi... Read More →

Thursday November 7, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EST
Allegheny AB

Collection Development Instruction Literature

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

12:00pm EST

Elemental Cross-Curricular Connections: Overlapping Lesson Music and Children's Literature

Thursday November 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST

Allegheny AB

Come to hear a veteran music teacher who is an Orff-Schulwerk specialist and a librarian who is a former classroom teacher, share the myriad ways that children's literature and music lesson an and should overlap to enhance student understanding in multiple content areas. Participants will leave with specific lesson idea, books lists, and activities to take back to their learning spaces.

Speakers

Michelle O'Hara

Lower School Teaching Librarian, The Potomac School

I am an elementary school librarian, former classroom teacher, and lover of all things cozy, reading-related, and dark chocolaty.

Tara Clayburn

Thursday November 7, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST
Allegheny AB

Instruction Literature Professional Growth

AASL Collaborate, Explore, Engage
Audience Elementary School - Primary, Elementary School - Intermediate

1:00pm EST

Championing Computer Science in the Library: Practical Integration Strategies

Thursday November 7, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST

Allegheny AB

As the demand for computer science (CS) skills grows, integrating CS into core content areas becomes increasingly essential. This session will provide practical strategies, tools, and lessons for school librarians to support CS integration into their programs, and how to incorporate computational thinking, coding, and interactive storytelling. The session will include hands-on activities with platforms like Scratch and Twine, lesson plans, learning resources, and collaborative discussions.

Speakers

Tiffany Cobbs

Facilitator, CodeVA

Tiffany Cobbs has served as an educator since 2010 and has a passion for computer science, digital citizenship, and STEM. Currently, she is a Learning Designer for AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), creating and facilitating professional learning opportunities for educators... Read More →

Thursday November 7, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Allegheny AB

Instruction Programming Technology

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

8:00am EST

Beyond Books: Tech Initiatives in the Library

Friday November 8, 2024 8:00am - 8:45am EST

Allegheny AB

Beyond Books demonstrates how technology initiatives in the library transform learning by harnessing communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity to engage students in lessons and community outreach. Session leaders will showcase uses of technology such as 3D printers, sublimation printers, Cricut machines, and iRobots to enhance learning across the curriculum. Sample websites: Tinkercad, Thingiverse, and Canva.

Speakers

Debra Forbes

Librarian, Louisa County Public Schools

I have dedicated 23 years to the field of education, serving as both a teacher and librarian. I have been enriched by the lives of students across five school divisions, teaching a diverse range of learners from elementary to college level. The library has always been one of my happy... Read More →

Nikki Wagoner

Technology Coach/ITRT

My educational background offers a variety of experiences from the grade levels of 5th-12th grade as Career and Technology Classes!During my time as a Technology Coach at LCHS, I have had the privilege of witnessing the transformative power of technology in education. It has been... Read More →

Friday November 8, 2024 8:00am - 8:45am EST
Allegheny AB

Instruction Technology

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

11:00am EST

Mission Spies! Using Ciphers and Codes to Engage Students

Friday November 8, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EST

Allegheny AB

Need a breakout or lesson boost? Try using ciphers/codes to get students moving and thinking. I will share examples of different ciphers and how we used them to get students collaborating, inquiring, and engaging in a Cold War Unit. Ciphers can be used for any lesson at any level.

Speakers

Wendy Knox

Librarian, Frederick County Public Schools

Friday November 8, 2024 11:00am - 11:45am EST
Allegheny AB

Instruction

AASL Inquire, Collaborate, Explore, Engage
Audience Elementary School - Intermediate, Middle School, High School

12:00pm EST

Helping Your School Be Equipped with Book Selections and Science of Reading

Friday November 8, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST

Allegheny AB

As new book and reading requirements unfold, we’ll first share how you can instantaneously get Book Resumes to increase confidence in your collections and purchases. Second, we’ll review share how to use TeachingBooks to identify popular picture books by phonetical classifications to reinforce literacy instruction.

Speakers

Nick Glass

Friday November 8, 2024 12:00pm - 12:45pm EST
Allegheny AB

Collection Development Instruction Literature Professional Growth Programming

AASL Inquire, Include, Collaborate, Curate
Audience All Levels

1:00pm EST

Global Art-ivism for All Ages with Students Rebuild

Friday November 8, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST

Allegheny AB

Give students the opportunity to make a positive difference in their global community through the 2024-2025 Students Rebuild Spark Peace Project. They will learn about peace in their relationships, communities and world; make personal connections; and create art in response. We will have picture book recommendations, lessons, passive programming ideas, and you will create your own project during our time together.

Speakers

Carolyn Vibbert

Librarian, SUDLEY ELEMENTARY

I've always considered myself a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to librarianship. I'm always mixing it up with different programs. Ask me about tabletop gaming in the library, hatching chicks, and stop motion projects! I'm willing to talk about anything.

Sabrina Tucker

Librarian, BRISTOW RUN ELEMENTARY

I love collaboration and learning something new! Talk to me about coding, unit planning, book tasting and getting kids to want to come into the library!

Friday November 8, 2024 1:00pm - 1:45pm EST
Allegheny AB

Instruction Programming

AASL Engage
Audience All Levels