• Tuesday, January 27, 2004 – Pre-Conference Day
• Thursday, January 29, 2004

Texas Association for Literacy
and Adult Education

Literacy:

A Breakthrough!

TALAE 2004 Conference

January 29 – 31, 2004

San Antonio, Texas

Message from the Conference Chair............................................................................. 3

TALAE Officers and Board Members.............................................................................. 4

Scholarship Winners.................................................................................................. 4

TALAE Past Presidents............................................................................................... 5

Pre-Conference Activities........................................................................................... 6

Conference Highlights................................................................................................ 7

Concurrent Sessions

Thursday, January 29, 2004................................................................................... 8

Friday, January 30, 2004...................................................................................... 15

Saturday, January 31, 2004.................................................................................. 20

Exhibitors................................................................................................................. 25

Hotel Meeting Rooms.................................................................................................. 27

WELCOME TO TALAE 2004

Literacy: A Break Through!

Welcome to the 2004 Texas Association for Literacy and Adult Education Annual Conference. We are happy to be back in the historic city of San Antonio – one of my favorite places.

The theme for this year’s conference is Literacy: A Break Through! We have experienced a lot of changes this year that are indeed a Break Through for adult education in Texas. The real Break Through for our students is getting a GED, improving basic skills so they can get a better job, or learning English. We acknowledge and greatly appreciate your dedication, commitment, and hard work in helping your students make that Break Through. Hopefully, this conference will give you additional tools to continue your wonderful work.

We have a great conference planned for you this year. As usual, there will be a Directors’ meeting on Wednesday afternoon. This year an Even Start Coordinators’ meeting has been added on Wednesday morning. The conference breakout sessions will include Family Literacy, EL/Civics, Corrections, Adult Education and English as a Second Language. You can choose anything from community drumming to reauthorization. There is something for everyone!

Special thanks to our exhibitors for bringing their newest materials to share with us. We appreciate the support they always give TALAE and the conference. Be sure you attend the Grand Opening of Exhibits on Thursday afternoon during the break. Thursday will also include a Past Presidents’ Reception that you won’t want to miss.

The Awards Luncheon will be held on Friday. Scholarships will be awarded to GED graduates in each TALAE region plus a state winner. Outstanding individuals and adult education programs will be recognized for their accomplishments. Congratulations to all the winners!

Saturday will be Teachers’ Day. The sessions are designed for teachers by teachers. There will be plenty of instructional strategies and techniques that can be used immediately as well as sharing of best practices. Lots of good ideas, free books, and handouts.

Again, thanks for participating in this year’s TALAE Conference.

Literacy: A Break Through!

Janell Baker, Conference Chair TALAE 2004

A special thanks to McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books and Beverly Ryan for providing the conference bags again this year and to Pearson Longman for sponsoring a break, and to all our exhibitors that contributed door prizes. Thanks for all of your support of our programs.

Tuesday, January 27, 2004 – Pre-Conference Day

10:00 am – 1:00 pm TALAE Registration – Ballroom Foyer

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Texas LEARNS State Advisory Board Meeting - Ballroom A

Wednesday, January 28, 2004 – Pre Conference Day

8:00 am – 5:00 pm TALAE Registration – Ballroom Foyer

9:00 am – 12:00 pm Even Start Coordinator/Directors Meeting – Ballroom C/D
                Joanie Rethlake, Director, Texas LEARNS

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Directors’ Meeting – Ballroom C/D
                Joanie Rethlake, Director, Texas LEARNS

2:30 pm – 3:00 pm Refreshment Break – Ballroom Foyer

5:00 pm – 6:30 pm TCAECD Membership Meeting – Ballroom C/D
                Katherine Moser, TCAECD President

Thursday, January 29, 2004 Grand Opening of Exhibits
                2:50 pm – 3:30 pm La Joya Ballroom

Thursday, January 29, 2004 Past Presidents’ Reception
                5:30 pm – 9:00 pm Ballroom C/D

Friday, January 30, 2004 Awards Luncheon
                11:30 am – 2:30 pm Ballroom CDEFG

Saturday, January 31, 2004 Membership Breakfast
                7:30am – 8:15 am Ballroom C/D

Saturday, January 31, 2004 Teachers’ Day
                All Day

Thursday, January 29, 2004

        8:00 am – 5:00 pm TALAE Registration – Ballroom Foyer

         8:30 am – 9:50 am News Alert From the Business Community: Show Me the Data and We May Show You the Money – Ballroom E

Presenter: Lin Wrinkle, Taylor ISD
Funding issues are a continual problem for adult and family literacy programs. Anecdotal information is simply not enough. To this end, the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria, promoted by the United States Secretary of Commerce, provides a methodology to assist with organizational improvements and prevent distortion in partnerships with businesses.

        8:30 am – 9:50 am Family and Basic Skills Literacy with Madison Heights and Lifelines – Ballroom A

Presenter: Bob Miller, INTELECOM
Madison Heights and Lifelines use drama and documentary television to present stories of families struggling to improve themselves and their positions in the larger community. Both series are designed to bridge the gap between the needs of low literate populations and increasingly overextended service providers. Integrated print materials support both series and include a rich array of exercises and activities.

        8:30 am – 9:50 am English – No Problem! Language for Home, School, Work, and Community – Ballroom B

Presenter: Todd Evans, New Readers Press
English – No Problem! offers a complete, integrated program for authentic language use through project- and task-based work. Theme-based units help students apply English, life skills, and cultural knowledge to their roles as family and community members and workers. English-No Problem! provides extensive teacher support, including integrated assessment, photocopy masters, and a free online lesson-plan builder.

        8:30 am – 9:50 am Workplace ESOL: Surviving and Thriving on the Job – Ballroom F/G

Presenter: Barbara Tondre-El Zorkani, Texas Trade and Consulting
To survive and even thrive in today’s job market, limited English speakers must be able to do more than complete job applications. This means that adult education practitioners must step outside the traditional “box” and into the workplace to explore viable solutions to addressing the needs of Texas’ underprepared workforce.

        8:30 am – 9:50 am Beyond Contracts: An Introduction to Basic Fundraising – Conference Center A

Presenter: Ned Van Maanen, Houston READ Commission
This presentation is an introduction to the basics of fundraising. It will include information on strategic planning for fundraising, developing a case statement for organizational support, a discussion of the eleven fundraising methods and their uses, and an overview on implementing the organizational development plan.

       8:30 am – 9:50 am Locked Up…Well, Not Really! – Conference Center B

Presenter: Tiffany Johnson, Victoria College
Are the correctional education students really locked up? No, not really. They have education to free their minds. Come find out what our local county program has to offer and share some of your own great ideas with us!

        8:30 am – 11:30 am Bringing Basic Education and Workforce Development Partners Together: What Does It Take? – Ballroom C

Presenters: Anson Green, Texas Workforce Commission & Joanie Rethlake, Texas LEARNS
Come participate in a discussion about the future of adult basic education and workforce development in Texas. Discussion will focus on recent collaborative efforts between Texas LEARNS, the Texas Workforce Commission, and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to align the ABE, workforce development, and higher education and training systems.         

        9:50 am – 10:00 am Break – Ballroom Foyer

Presenters: Sherea McKenzie Poston, Houston/Harris County Joint City County Commission on Children, Jason Sabo, United Way of Texas
Having an effective, active and involved board of directors is critical to the success of a nonprofit organization. This session will discuss steps to recruiting and training board members to be advocated for your agency both in the community and in the fundraising arena. Are you able to recruit and retain your volunteers? Volunteers are a valuable resource to programs with limited funds. Learn techniques for recruiting the right volunteers, and recognizing volunteers in meaningful ways, and how to retaining volunteers.

        10:00 am – 11:30 am Using Video in the ESL Classroom –Ballroom A

Presenter: Eduardo Honold, Socorro ISD
This session will review basic strategies for incorporating video into traditional and project-based methodologies in the adult ESL classroom. Participants will learn how students can brainstorm, story board, shoot, edit, and present video projects, and how these strategies contribute to effective language acquisition and the development of technological skills.

        10:00 am – 11:30 am Teaching and Learning Retail Sales and Service Skills with the EFF Framework – Ballroom D

Presenters: George Garza, Jr., Southwest Texas Junior College;

Margot H. Mata, Southwest Texas Junior College;

Diana P. Garcia, Southwest Texas Junior College; Criselda (Chris) Garcia, Southwest Texas Junior College;

Jose Antonio Aguilar, Southwest Texas Junior College
Southwest Texas Junior College – Adult Basic Education Program participated as one of four statewide pilot projects that utilized Equipped for the Future dynamics constructed to develop learner competence related to Retail Sales and Service Skills necessary for successful job placement in entry level sales and service positions.

        10:00 am – 11:30 am The Role of Literacy Councils in the ABE World – Ballroom F/G

Presenter: Nancy Crawford, Texas Association of Adult Literacy Councils
Learn from several successful programs what literacy councils really do! Examples will be shared of working relationships between ABE programs and literacy councils. See how we all can work together to improve the lives of students enrolled in our programs.

        10:00 am – 11:30 am Implementation of the Texas Curriculum Framework: Alignment with Other Program Delivery Systems – Conference Center A

Presenter: Dr. Jean Pierre-Pipkin, Beaumont ISD
This workshop will present the logistics of how BISD Adult Education Co-op structured the implementation of the Texas Curriculum Framework across subject areas and aligned the standards with academic levels and workforce requirements for Adult Basic Education and ESL participants.

        10:00 am – 11:30 am Enhancing Language and Early Literacy Development in Infants and Toddlers – Conference Center B

Presenter: Barbara Dray, Texas Family Literacy Center, UTCRLA
The session will focus on practical strategies to enhance language and literacy development in infants and toddlers. The focus will be on the value of working together with families in understanding and supporting the child’s development.

        1:30 pm – 2:50 pm Developing an Effective Board of Directors and Effective Volunteer Management (Part II) – Sam Houston

Presenters: Sherea McKenzie Poston, Houston/Harris County Joint City County Commission on Children; Jason Sabo, United Way of Texas
Having an effective, active and involved board of directors is critical to the success of a nonprofit organization. This session will discuss steps to recruiting and training board members to be advocated for your agency both in the community and in the fundraising arena. Are you able to recruit and retain your volunteers? Volunteers are a valuable resource to programs with limited funds. Learn techniques for recruiting the right volunteers, and recognizing volunteers in meaningful ways, and how to retaining volunteers.

        1:30 pm – 2:50 pm From Research to Practice: Promoting Language and Literacy Development Through New Media – Ballroom A

Presenter: Heide Wrigley, Literacy Work Associates
This session will demonstrate innovative and promising practices grounded in research in adult literacy, second language acquisition, and the use of technology in learning. Participants will hear about approaches using new media found effective in Texas and elsewhere and will receive materials that they can use with their students.

        1:30 pm – 2:50 pm Open All Options: Using Technology to Support Struggling Individuals in Reading and Writing – Ballroom B

Presenter: Bonnie Hill, Freedom Scientific Learning Systems Group
Individuals with learning difficulties can experience success when presented with technology customized to support learning styles and strengths. With WYNN, we will explore a means to enable struggling individuals to succeed in reading, writing, and internet research. Using a bi-modal reading environment, text is transformed making it more comprehensible.

        1:30 pm – 2:50 pm Why Do They Keep Coming? A First Person Perspective – Ballroom C

Presenter: Mary Kathryn Flores, Brenham ISD
Have you ever wondered why so many people are so interested in leaving their country of birth to live in the U.S. only to find themselves living in poverty? This presentation will include video-taped interviews (in English) of participants in Brenham’s Even Start ESL classes. Focus will be on the quality of life in their home country; including education, job availability, and nutrition. Presenter will also draw on her three years of experience living in a Guatemalan village while serving in the U.S. Peace Corps in order to help participants understand their ESL students’ backgrounds.

Presenters: Joanie Rethlake, Texas LEARNS; Federico Salas, Texas LEARNS; Jimmy Wynn, Harris County Department of Education
The Federal government is in the process of reauthorizing the WIA funding. This presentation will cover the reauthorization process, what the new emphasis is going to be, and how that will impact our adult education programs.

Presenter: Sean Klunder, McGraw-Hill/Contemporary
McGraw-Hill/Contemporary will be demonstrating its new MHC Interactive: GED Integrated Online Solution for distance education. The presentation will discuss the trends in distance education, an overview of how the product meets the needs of distance education for GED students, and the actual program will be demonstrated.

Presenter: Sheryl Jefferson, Texas LEARNS
The workshop will help new program coordinators become familiar with the Texas Even Start Program Information Reporting System (TESPIRS). The participants will learn how to enter Even Start program data, learn how to submit program data to Texas LEARNS quarterly and how to use the data for program improvement.

        1:30 pm – 5:00 pm Decision-Making and Creative Thinking – Ballroom E

Presenter: Dr. Errol Wirasinghe, Shanmar, Inc.
Having trouble identifying solutions to a problem? Try the AIM-PRESET technique to identify all plausible solutions. Having trouble reaching the optimum decisions? Try the seven-step technique to reach the optimum decision. Decision-making is an essential skill-set. This is your opportunity to learn the basics, and make winning decisions – every time!

        1:30 pm – 5:00 pm Practical Application of the Texas Frameworks – Colonnade C

Presenter: Helen Mills, Texas LEARNS
To give directors and managers an overview of the framework, followed with thorough training techniques and discussion on how to assist teachers to implement it in the classroom. Training includes incorporating student portfolio and goal setting.

        2:50 pm – 3:30 pm Break/Exhibitors’ Grand Opening – LaJoya Ballroom

        3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Effective Use of ACES Tables for Program Evaluation – Sam Houston

Presenter: Bonnie Webb, Region 6 Education Service Center
An overview of Tables III, IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC will be given to demonstrate effectiveness of your adult education program. Identifying both effective and problematic classes early in the year will assure good student retention and ultimately the achievement of your objectives. Methods for making wise choices on data entry will be provided as well.

        3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Does TABE Correlate to the GED? – Ballroom A

Presenter: Jeanni Pruitt, Northeast Texas Community College
Participants will learn how to use the TABE assessment scores to determine the readiness of GED students to take the GED test and to design curriculum to meet the needs of individual students.

        3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Developing and Implementing a Health Literacy Curriculum – Ballroom B

Presenter: Richard J. Millet, Houston READ Commission
The Houston READ Commission has developed a Health Literacy Train-the-Trainer Program and curriculum to: 1) ensure that low literate individuals understand the importance of health literacy and have access to relevant health education within their communities and 2) teach listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking skills using relevant health topics.

        3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Designing an Employment-Focused Instructional Program and Curriculum – Ballroom F/G

Presenters: Anson Green, Texas Workforce Commission; Beverly Donoghue, Texas Workforce Comission;

Barbara Tondre-El Zorkani, Texas Trade and Consulting
Developing a program that meets employment expectations takes special expertise. Learn the essential elements necessary to provide responsive basic offerings for Texas workers and employers. This session will address how to develop and deliver a curriculum driven by employment outcomes and based on local labor force needs.

        3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Financial Literacy: An Integral Part of the Adult Education Classroom – Conference Center A

Presenter: Julie Perea, Houston READ Commission
Participants will review the Texas Standardized Curriculum Framework and discuss how the objectives relate to different areas of financial literacy, including consumer education, basic banking and more. We will also explore free and low-cost resources for teachers to access in order to help their students gain practical knowledge of financial literacy.

        3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Enhancing Reading and Grammar in Your ESL Program – Conference Center B

Presenters: Jo Bennett, Pearson Longman; Penny Gee, Pearson Longman
How can students make the transition from ESL to ABE? There are many challenges and obstacles that hold students back and keep them from advancing to the next level. Our workshop will provide ideas on how to enhance the curriculum for the advanced ESL students. ESL students benefit from adding activities that integrate and challenge them to internalize their learning. Come get ideas for enhancing your program and helping students bridge from ESL to ABE.

        8:00 am – 5:00 pm TALAE Registration – Ballroom Foyer

        8:00 am – 5:00 pm Exhibitors – LaJoya Ballroom

        8:30 am – 9:50 am Major Stressors and Coping Skills of Adult Education Directors in Texas – Ballroom A

Presenters: Don Seaman, Texas A&M University; Mindy Austin, Graduate Student, Texas A&M University
Stressed out? Who isn’t? Stress is something we experience every day. Come and hear about the major stressors that impact the professional lives of adult education directors in Texas and learn what coping skills those directors use to try to reduce that stress.

        8:30 am – 9:50 am A Teacher’s Perspective: Best Practices in ESL-EL/Civics Using Technology and Project Based Learning – Sam Houston

Presenters: Rosa Hidalgo, Socorro ISD; Rosanne Thompson, Socorro ISD
This session will showcase two teachers’ experiences incorporating Project-Based Learning and EL/Civics through the use of technology, such as digital cameras, video and computers. Participants may expect to receive helpful guides and ideas for classroom projects and activities.

      8:30 am – 9:50 am Using ACES Data for Program Improvement – Conference Center B

Presenter: Jamie Morris, Region 4 Education Service Center
Learn how the Region IV ESC Adult Education program uses ACES data to track progress on performance objectives and improve management/instructional practices. Examine a “how-to” manual for entering data, hear about practices that increase accountability for meeting performance objectives at all levels in the program, and review a software program for reporting and tracking program/classroom level data.

        8:30 am – 9:50 am The Essentials of Good Lesson Planning – Colonnade B

Presenters: Rob Jenkins, Heinle & Heinle; Staci Sabbagh, Heinle & Heinle
From warm-up to application! Discover the invisible yet essential components of good lesson planning. The presenters, authors of the Stand Out series, will take you through the phase of good lesson planning and show how team projects, created for a variety of learning styles, enrich the student experience.

        8:30 am – 9:50 am Adult Education Program Reports 90% Pass GED Using Aztec Software – Conference Center A

Presenter: Bill J. Pounds, Aztec Software
This presentation will demonstrate the flexible use of Aztec Software and how it may be used to complement good instruction with outstanding learner results. In addition, information will be shared on how the software may be used with Limited-English Proficient (LEP) students using our new Spanish auditory instructions.

        8:30 am – 9:50 am How New Student Orientations Can Help Improve Student Retention – Colonnade C

Presenter: Christina Palacios, Del Mar College
Effective new student orientation can and does increase student retention rates. If you haven’t attended this presentation before, come learn how new student orientations help prepare students to succeed in the classroom. The goal of new student orientation is to draw a lasting commitment from learners. Find out how this can be done. If you have attended previously and have since implemented orientations, come and share your experiences.

        8:30 am – 11:30 am The EFF Teaching/Learning Cycle – Ballroom B

Presenter: Donna Curry, EFF Center for Training and Technical Assistance
This workshop will introduce participants to the EFF Teaching/Learning Cycle to illustrate how various components of the EFF Framework are used in the classroom. Participants will explore the eight steps through classroom examples as well as via the new EFF On-Line Toolkit.

        9:50 am – 10:00 am Break – LaJoya Ballroom

        10:00 am – 11:30 am Drums Through the Ages…Community Drumming – Sam Houston

Presenters: David and Sharon Hillendahl, Hill-Sky Foundation, FCA
The “cooperative nature” of a drum circle breaks down social barriers and builds self-esteem. Music skills are not necessary – the process of hearing and making sounds becomes the music itself. Participants, young or old, respond positively to a drum circle, and through group participation, apply these concepts in the development of social skills that are necessary in everyday life.

        10:00 am – 11:30 am Promoting Language and Early Literacy Development in Family Literacy Programs – Ballroom A

Presenter: Barbara Dray, Texas Family Literacy Center, UTCRLA
In this session participants will receive an overview of the professional development guide created by the Texas Family Literacy Center entitled Families First: Promoting Language and Early Literacy Development in Family Literacy Programs. Participants will become familiar with the guide layout, its contents, and have hands-on experiences with selected activities.

        10:00 am – 11:30 am At the Core of Teaching ESL – Conference Center A

Presenter: Lorraine Romero, Houston Community College
If you are new to teaching ESL (a year or less of experience) this is the session for you! Learn some important background information and experience a few techniques you can try next week in your classroom.

        10:00 am – 11:30 am Pathways for Transition to Post Secondary Education – Colonnade C

Presenters: Mary Harris, Austin Community College; Pat Hernandez, Austin Community College
Attainment of a GED or an advance ESL level does not guarantee a student success in programs at the post secondary level. Come hear how Austin Community College uses case managers, transition sessions, scholarships, GED stipends, and a TASP/THEA prep program to assist Adult Education students in overcoming the barriers they face when transitioning to post secondary.

        10:00 am – 11:30 am Providing Distance Learning Options to Local ABE Service Providers – Colonnade A

Presenter: Bill Walker, Steck-Vaughn
The Adult Basic and Literacy Education Act of 2003 calls for expanding options for basic skills acquisition and embracing technology that promotes student access to instruction. Find out how to meet the federal mandates and expand your program beyond traditional confines with three technology-enabled instructional products that deliver age-appropriate instruction and practice for NRS Levels 1-6. A live demonstration of web-delivered instruction, test preparatory practice, and essay scoring will wow you!

       10:00 am – 11:30 am Learning Disabilities: How ABE Program Administrators Can Create Value-Added Partnerships with Local Workforce Partners – Colonnade B

Presenters: Anson Green, Texas Workforce Commission; Varshana Jackson, Texas Professional Development Group
Persons with learning disabilities (LD) are often students in ABE programs as well as job seekers in workforce centers. Their learning and employment needs challenge both systems. Come participate in a discussion of how ABE program administrators can show real leadership by being part of local workforce initiatives designed to address the needs of those with learning disabilities.

        11:30 am – 2:30 pm Awards Luncheon – Ballroom CDEFG

        3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Team Leader and Supervisory Skills – Sam Houston

Presenters: Mark Sanchez, Region 20 Education Service Center; Irene Ramos, Region 20 Education Service Center
Participants will have a clear understanding of their role as a team leader/supervisor along with the techniques needed to create an environment in which success can be achieved.

        3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Bridging The Gap: Best Practices for Instruction for the Visually Impaired Adult Education Student – Colonnade A

Presenters: Bobbie McGee-Benson, Kilgore CollegeIrene Resendes, Texas Commission for the Blind
The ADA and the number of adults who are affected by age and diseases such as diabetes are increasing the number of visually impaired students. This session will help educators be better prepared to accommodate these students by addressing sensitivity issues, adaptive techniques, resources for free and low cost materials.

       3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Media Advocacy – Conference Center A

Presenter: Robert Pinhero, Education & Training Consultant
Participants will learn the important difference between media coverage and media advocacy. You will learn how to set advocacy objectives and outcomes, frame messages for access and content and how to develop a media advocacy plan for your community.

        3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Promoting Student Independence in the Multi-Level Classroom – Conference Center B

Presenter: Varshna Jackson, Cambridge University Press
Drawing upon current trends in TESOL, this workshop fosters discussion of issues in the multi-level classroom, and instructors will learn to apply strategies to promote student independence through classroom tasks, preparation, decision-making and assessment.

        3:00 pm – 4:30 pm Integrating EL Civics into Existing Programs – Colonnade B

Presenters: Susan Pritchard, Brenham ISD; Mary Blackburn, Bryan ISD
Participants will learn how to integrate successfully EL Civics into existing programs.

 

CONFERENCE SESSIONS Saturday, January 31, 2004

        7:30 am – 11:30 am TALAE Registration – Ballroom Foyer

        7:30 am – 8:15 am TALAE Membership Breakfast – Ballroom CD

        8:30 am – 9:50 am Practical Opportunities for Active Learning – Sam Houston

Presenter: Lissette Carpenter, McLennan Community College
Engaging both the mind and body is a proven pathway to learning. Participants themselves will become immersed in process and product of low-cost classroom activities which successfully engage students in the learning process. Originally designed for ESL students, the projects and activities are highly adaptable to learners of diverse backgrounds.

        8:30 am – 9:50 am Bridging the Generation Gap With Literacy – Ballroom A

Presenter: Gayle Fagan, Harris County Department of Education
EL/Civics instructors are required by some agencies to present lessons that involve generations in interactive, collaborative, community based or civic participation activities. A lesson will be demonstrated that builds on the parental assets of your students that support academic achievements of their children. The lesson presented will demonstrate real world context learning where through language and literacy a project is produced.

        8:30 am – 9:50 am The Essentials of Good Lesson Planning – Ballroom F/G

Presenters: Rob Jenkins, Heinle & Heinle; Staci Sabbagh, Heinle & Heinle
From warm-up to application! Discover the invisible yet essential components of good lesson planning. The presenters, authors of the Stand Out series, will take you through the phase of good lesson planning and show how team projects, created for a variety of learning styles, enrich the student experience.

        8:30 am – 9:50 am Teaching Strategies and Materials for a Health Literacy Curriculum – Conference Center A

Presenter: Richard Millet, Houston READ Commission
The Houston READ Commission developed a curriculum that uses relevant health topics to teach listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking skills. Enhancing published material (texts) with internet resources allows a teacher to individualize instruction and also makes the instruction more personal and effective. Realia, LEA, and TPR activities will be stressed.

Presenters: Arazeli Granados, Region 20 Education Service Center; Janet Urrabas, Region 20 Education Service Center
Participants will acquire strategies and various techniques used to improve student reading.

        8:30 am – 9:50 am Using Storyboards to Identify Valuable Work Skills – Colonnade B

Presenters: Darla Wickard, Cy-Fair College, Fairbanks Center; Tina Washco, Cy-Fair College
Learners use pictures on storyboards to create a showcase for hobbies, interests, and job skills from their life experiences. Learners develop vocabulary that describes valuable work skills and learn how to set realistic and attainable career goals through related activities.

        8:30 am – 9:50 am Texas Curriculum Frameworks – Technology in the ABE Classroom – Colonnade C

Presenters: Janie Rodriguez, Region 20 Education Service Center

Yolanda De la Cruz, Region 20 Education Service Center
This presentation will offer adult education instructors the opportunity to learn/improve the application of technology in the adult education classroom. Participants will gain information on providing simple step-by-step instructions for computer program navigation to assist with Texas Curriculum Frameworks technology component.

        8:30 am – 11:30 am Teaching Pronunciation Communicatively at Every Level of the ESL Program – Colonnade A

Presenters: Harriet Hubacker, Harris County Department of Education;May O’Brien, Harris County Department of Education
These presentations will identify strategies, methods, and approaches that teachers can implement in the ESL classroom to make teaching and learning pronunciation more realistic, achievable, and useful. Learn how to help ESL students speak English clearly and intelligibly while improving their listening and reading comprehension skills.

8:30 am – 11:30 am Retention Strategies in the Adult Classroom - Ballroom B

Presenters: Rene Coronado, Region 20; Nancy Bentley Dunlap, Northside ISD; Rita E. McSorley, North East ISD; Guadalupe C. Ruvalcaba, San Antonio ISD
This workshop will address the topic of high drop-out rates in adult education programs and unique and creative ways to encourage students to remain in the program long enough to accomplish their goals. Participants will be provided strategies to address statewide student retention challenges starting with the first day of class. Handouts will be provided. This session will start at 8:45 and continue to 11:30. You must commit to attending the entire session.

        9:50 am – 10:00 am Break

        10:00 am – 11:30 am Breaking Through Your Teaching Style to their Learning Styles – Sam Houston

Presenter: V. Kay Vaccaro, Harris County Department of Education
ESL or GED teacher, you have a certain style of teaching. In this session, learn techniques to adapt it to the various learning styles of your students. Explore the various ways students learn and teachers teach. This session will have handouts, samples and simply delightful displays to show you how to breakthrough so each student can learn and succeed.

        10:00 am – 11:30 am GED Instructional Strategies – Ballroom A

Presenter: Jeanni Pruitt, Northeast Texas Community College
This workshop will offer GED teachers instructional strategies that have proven successful with ABE and GED students. Learn strategies that you can use in your classroom to capture the attention of those hard-to-serve court ordered students.

        10:00 am – 11:30 am Classroom Management: The Positive Effects on Student Retention and Recruitment – Ballroom F/G

Presenter: Christina Palacios, Del Mar College

Believe it or not! Learners appreciate and respond positively to a structured learning environment. Where does it start? What is the driving force behind it? Who are the key players and what are their roles? What is needed for it to work? What are the “Strangest Secrets” of classroom management? When should you be a Lamb, a Lion? What is meant by “due process” for students?

        10:00 am – 11:30 am Teaching Budgeting in the Adult Education Classroom – Conference Center A

Presenter: Julie Perea, Houston READ Commission
Teachers will learn and discuss techniques to teach students to create a budget and set their financial priorities. Teachers will also receive resources and ideas on how to re-create these activities in their ESL, ABE, and GED classrooms.

        10:00 am – 11:30 am Using Structured Mapping to Plan and Organize the GED Essay – Conference Center B

Presenter: William Routon, Jr., Kilgore College
How can an inexperienced writer plan, organize, and execute a timed essay with the least degree of confusion and doubt? ABE/GED instructors will be shown a mapping technique that many students find helpful in accomplishing this goal.

        10:00 am – 11:30 am Grammar Made Easy – Colonnade B

Presenter: Helen Mills, Texas LEARNS
Confused about how to explain passive present perfect to students (or even what it is)? This session will review all the tenses, conjugation, word order, and provide a variety of techniques on how to teach your students.

         11:30 am – 12:30 pm Lunch – Ballroom CD

         12:30 pm – 2:00 pm How Cluster Teaching Can Give You a Break – Sam Houston

Presenters: Lois Martin, Del Mar College; John Hodges, Del Mar College
Learn how two instructors, working together can teach 40 to 50 students at a time and average 55 graduates per year. The facilitators will share experiences, techniques and strategies for success in a GED program. The cluster approach positively impacts classroom management, scheduling, recommendation for testing, and record keeping.

        12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Texas Curriculum Frameworks and ESL – Making a Fit – Ballroom A

Presenters: Sandi Schneider, Region 20 Education Service Center; Cora Alonzo, Region 20 Education Service Center
The presenters will discuss various ways of utilizing the Texas Curriculum Frameworks in the ESL classroom.

        12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Quality Television as a Springboard to Reading – Ballroom B

Presenters: Rosette Dawson, North Harris College; Vickie Fleming, North Harris College
Use TV to stimulate children’s interest in reading! All materials discussed during the presentation are on a computer CD in both English and Spanish. The five-minute VHS video is in English. The CDs and videos will be distributed to participants during the presentation.

        12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Community Project Based Learning in the ESL Classroom – Ballroom E

Presenters: Lisa Wright, Region 6 Education Service Center; Michelle Martinez, Brenham Even Start
Come and get ideas on how to integrate ESL students into the community using project based learning. Actual projects will be presented and participants will have the opportunity to share ideas and collaborate on a project to use in their classrooms.

        12:30 pm to 2:00 pm Innovative and Exciting New Ways to Manage Your Classroom – Conference Center B

Presenter: Oliva Fernandez, Pearson Longman
Ready for some new ideas? There are so many parts to the ESL classroom today. How does a teacher keep up? Our workshop will provide you with hands-on techniques to integrate listening, speaking, reading, writing and grammar with state standards, civics, and life skills embedded into each lesson. Free samples will be available for everyone, too!

        12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Hands-On Social Studies Activities for ABE Students – Ballroom F/G

Presenter: Pam Gorney-Hall, Austin Community College
This workshop will focus on the content area of Social Studies. Various activities will be presented to focus on the different learning styles of individuals and small groups. Participants will be involved in games, map activities and research activities. Everyone will take materials with them to use in their classes.

     12:30 pm – 2:00 pm Retention Strategies – Conference Center A

Presenters: Susan Pritchard, Brenham ISD;

Kimberlie Neisig, Brenham ISD
How does orientation and goal setting help your students stay focused and attend class? What type of cheap incentives can you use to help students stay?