VATE Fall Conference 2008, October 24-26, 2008

In today’s global community, where the longest distance is that between an index finger and the send button on a computer, and where anyone can post practically anything on the Internet, how do we teach kids the fine line between truth and fiction? To what extent is nonfiction truth? And what elements of truth allow fiction to be realistic?

Clearly, critical thinking is an absolute for today’s children if they are to become critical consumers of the widely available and variant information in today’s global community. How do you help students to become these critical thinkers and consumers? What strategies do you use to help students evaluate resources, determine credibility of source, and to see past the words on the page? How do you teach students the significance of cultural context and author’s purpose and craft? In what ways do your students play with words, exploring the nuances of language? Indeed, how do you help students understand the duality of truth and fiction in everything?

Do you have a lesson or unit that brings to light the fiction in journalism, documentaries, web sites, or other nonfiction text? How do you incorporate aspects of technology to help kids see this fine line? What experiences allow students to find true elements in fiction? We seek proposals addressing this duality of story in all areas of language arts.

Call for Proposals (PDF)
Call for Proposals (Online)
Registration Form (PDF)
Directions to Hotel via 64 or 460
Exhibitor Needs Form

Speakers

	Dr. Sara B. Kajder, an assistant professor of English Education at Virginia Tech and a nationally-known consultant and speaker, she is author of Bringing the Outside In: Visual Ways to Engage Reluctant Readers and The Tech-Savvy English Classroom. She will share her expertise with technological tools that engage writers and readers. Dr. Kajder will speak at the Saturday luncheon.
	Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Newbery Honor winner and Sibert Award winner for Hitler Youth, and Orbis Pictus Award winner and Sibert Award winner for Black Potatoes, will share insights about her research process to record history and to make that history accessible to students. Ms. Bartoletti will speak at the banquet on Saturday evening.
	K.K. Bruno, author of Mischiefs and Miseries: A Novel of Jamestown 1607, which stems from her interest in the history of the Williamsburg and Jamestown areas, will address the balance of fact and fiction in historical fiction. An interpreter for Historic Jamestowne, Ms. Bruno volunteers at the archeological dig. Ms. Bruno will speak at the Saturday breakfast.
	Sara Holbrook, author of Practical Poetry and Outspoken: Improving Communication Skills through Poetry Performance, as well as numerous poetry collections, will perform her own poetry and share insights about teaching and performing poetry. A former teacher, Sara writes about, :what I know and what I wonder about" Ms. Holbrook will speak at the Sunday brunch.
	Conference Flyer Registration Form (PDF) Directions to Hotel via 64 or 460	Call for Proposals (PDF) Call for Proposals (Online) Exhibitor Needs Form

Sandra Whitaker
VATE President Elect
Albemarle County Public Schools
401 McIntire Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22902
434-296-5820
Sandra@sandrawhitaker.net

Conference Photos from Previous years

Photos from 2007 Conference
Photos from 2006 Conference
Photos from 2005 Conference
Photos from 2004 Conference