2026 Literacy Institute

2026 Literacy Institute

November 9-10 at the Sheraton Hotel, Ann Arbor, MI

2026 Institute Agenda: 2026 Literacy Institute Agenda--Current.pdf

2026 Institute Location: Sheraton Ann Arbor Hotel

3200 Boardwalk Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108

734-996-0600 | Sheraton Ann Arbor Overview

The Sheraton Ann Arbor Hotel is located off the I-94 State Street exit. Briarwood Mall is across the street and there are a number of restaurants within walking distance. Downtown Ann Arbor is approximately 10 minutes away by car. For more information about the Ann Arbor area and restaurants: Ann Arbor Visitor Guide

Guest Room Information

Rate: $149 + 11% state and local taxes per night

Room Block: Rooms are available on the nights of Sunday, November 8 and Monday, November 9.

Reservations: The online registration link closed on October 27. You can still call the hotel as indicated below and request the conference rate. It will be honored, based on availability.

By phone: 734-996-0600 and reference the Literacy Institute.

Registration FormBegin your registration below by selecting the appropriate Registration Option and then your contact information. Asterisks indicate required fields.

Concurrent Breakout Selections: Breakout selections are required in each of 5 time slots. Please select the session you plan to attend. If not attending during a particular time slot, select the "not attending" option. You can only select one session or "not attending" in each time slot.
Exhibitors can pay their exhibit fee, but due to programming parameters, do need to complete the entire registration process. Exhibitors may wish to include the name of one of their staff attending the Institute for the exhibit fee payment. Then, additional exhibit staff can register using that category.
All registrants should respond to the questions following the session selection section. Please note the instructions for purchase orders and invoice requests.
Proceed to Billing Information to complete your payment information and then click Submit. A confirmation message will be automatically sent. NOTE: You may pay by credit card and must include credit card information as part of this registration form. If you will pay by check/purchase order, be sure to complete the appropriate questions in the "Additional Registration Information" section.

Registration Options

Nov. 9 AND 10 Institute: RR and LL Teachers are required to attend both days. ($310.00*) + Fees and Processing
Monday, Nov. 9 Only Registration ($210.00*) + Fees and Processing
Tuesday, Nov. 10 Only Registration ($210.00*) + Fees and Processing
Speaker Registration ($0.00)
Exhibit Staff Registration ($0.00)
Exhibitors attending in person should select this category. This is NOT the exhibit fee category.
Exhibit Fee--1 Table Only ($650.00*) + Fees and Processing
This registration category is to pay for one exhibit table only at the Institute. If you need additional tables, contact Diane Drago at [email protected].
Exhibit Fee--2 Tables ($1,050.00*) + Fees and Processing
This registration category is to pay for TWO exhibit tables at the Institute.

Name

School or Organization

Title

Cell Phone Number

Address

Select the site in which you teach.

If you are an Administrator or Teacher, but don't teach in any of the above listed sites, please provide the name of your school district.

Monday, November 9 Concurrent Breakouts: Group A (10:00-11:15 am)--SELECT ONE

Breakout A1: Self-monitoring: Foundational Executive Function Skill for Reading [Sold Out]
THIS SESSION IS FILLED. IT WILL BE REPEATED ON TUESDAY AT 1:15 PM.
Jeff Williams, MA, Reading Recovery Teacher Leader

This session explores the importance of self-monitoring, and how it is fostered, as a foundational executive function skill that is a precursor to strategy application and comprehension development.
Breakout A2: Becoming Literate: A Literacy Framework to Support Emergent Readers and Writers [53 remaining]
K. Journey Swafford, PhD, Engaged Emeritus Reading Recovery Trainer

In this session, participants will learn about a literacy framework that supports Pre-K and Kindergarten students as they become literate. Writing samples, video clips and reflections from teachers will be shared.
Attend this session
Breakout A3: Connecting Reading Recovery with Michigan's K–12 Literacy Priorities [39 remaining]
Facilitated by:
Tracee Farmer, PhD, Associate Professor, Director, Center for Literacy Excellence, National Louis University

Join this panel discussion as educators explore how Reading Recovery supports Michigan's evolving literacy priorities through evidence-based instruction, early intervention, and responsive teaching. Designed for literacy leaders, administrators, coaches, interventionists, and educators, this session will provide an opportunity to engage in dialogue and explore practical connections to Michigan's K–12 Literacy and Dyslexia Laws.
Attend this session
I will not attend a session during this time period.
Attend this session

Monday, November 9 Keynote Address: 12:45-1:45 PM*

Keynote Address: Read Aloud Experiences are Essential
Lester Laminack, PhD, Author/Consultant

Read-aloud experiences immerse children in rich language, models fluent expression, and introduces a range meaningful stories and nonfiction. They build vocabulary, comprehension, background knowledge, and listening stamina while modeling how skilled readers think. Most importantly, read-alouds nurture joy, curiosity, empathy, and a shared love of reading that supports lifelong literacy.
Attend This Session
I will not attend the Keynote Session.
Attend This Session

Monday, November 9 Concurrent Breakouts: Group B (2:00-3:15 PM)--SELECT ONE

Breakout B1: Fiction as a Gateway to Nonfiction [56 remaining]
(This session will be repeated on Tuesday at 9:00 AM.)
Lester Laminack, PhD, Author/Consultant

Story captivates our imagination, introduces us to new people and new ideas. Story also prompts new thoughts and new questions. A well-chosen story can be the doorway into a new vocabulary, new insights, and a thirst for inquiry that launches a deeper dive into the wealth of nonfiction reading and writing. Join Lester on an exploration of one story and the many possibilities that can open.
Attend this session
Breakout B2: Familiar Reading: The Foundation for Successful Lessons [8 remaining]
(This session will be repeated on Tuesday at 1:15 PM.)
Jamie Lipp, PhD, Mary Fried Endowed Clinical Associate Professor, The Ohio State University

It is with intention that familiar reading is the first component of the Reading Recovery lesson. Together, we will examine the practice of familiar reading to ensure we’ve unlocked the power and purpose to lay the groundwork for an accelerative lesson series.
Attend this session
Breakout B3: CIM & MTSS: Teaching for Alignment and Transfer [26 remaining]
Tracee Farmer, PhD, Associate Professor, Director, Center for Literacy Excellence, National Louis University

Explore how Comprehensive Intervention Model frameworks cultivate alignment, congruency, and transfer between intervention and the classroom. We will map interventions onto the MTSS framework and demonstrate alignment with Michigan's Public Act 146, offering educators clear pathways to maximize student learning and strategic processing.
Attend this session
I will not attend a session during this time period.
Attend this session

Monday, November 9: 3:30-4:00 PM*

Join the Science of Reading Work Group [127 remaining]
Join your colleagues to discuss how the principles of Reading Recovery align with Public Act 146.
Attend this session.
I will not attend this sesion.
Attend this session.

Tuesday, November 10 Concurrent Breakouts: Group C (9:00-10:15 AM)--SELECT ONE

Breakout C1: Fiction as a Gateway to Nonfiction [54 remaining]
(This session is a repeat of Session B1.)
Lester Laminack, PhD, Author/Consultant

Story captivates our imagination, introduces us to new people and new ideas. Story also prompts new thoughts and new questions. A well-chosen story can be the doorway into a new vocabulary, new insights, and a thirst for inquiry that launches a deeper dive into the wealth of nonfiction reading and writing. Join Lester on an exploration of one story and the many possibilities that can open.
Attend this session
Breakout C2 Joyful Writers: Connection, Conversation and Creation with Reading Recovery Lessons [31 remaining]
(This session is repeated at 10:30 AM on Tuesday.)
K. Journey Swafford, PhD, Engaged Emeritus Reading Recovery Trainer

In this session, participants will reflect on how both teacher and student experience joy with the writing portion of their Reading Recovery lessons. Writing samples and video clips will be shared. Come ready to talk with colleagues and learn together.
Attend this session
Breakout C3: Read, Write, Roam!
Jamie Lipp, PhD, Mary Fried Endowed Clinical Associate Professor, The Ohio State University

Roaming Around the Known should be an intentional time with each student to build relationships and capitalize on all that is already known. Explore roaming as a purposeful practice to set the stage for successful lessons.
Attend this session
I will not attend a session during this time period.
Attend this session

Tuesday, November 10 Concurrent Breakouts Group D (10:30-11:45 AM)--SELECT ONE*

Breakout D1: Joyful Writers: Connection, Conversation and Creation with Reading Recovery Lessons
(This session is a repeat of Session C1.)
K. Journey Swafford, PhD, Engaged Emeritus Reading Recovery Trainer

In this session, participants will reflect on how both teacher and student experience joy with the writing portion of their Reading Recovery lessons. Writing samples and video clips will be shared. Come ready to talk with colleagues and learn together.
Attend this session
Breakout D2: Non-fiction Notice & Note: Signposts for Increasing Comprehension of Nonfiction Text [39 remaining]
Jeff Williams, MA, Reading Recovery Teacher Leader

Originally intended for upper elementary students, this session showcases how Kylene Beers and Bob Probst's Notice and Note lessons can be adapted to benefit comprehension development of nonfiction texts in the elementary classroom or intervention.
Attend this session
Breakout D3: Shifting Scaffolds to Teach for Independence [37 remaining]
(This session will be repeated at 1:15 PM.)
Tracee Farmer, PhD, Associate Professor, Director, Center for Literacy Excellence, National Louis University

Center student independence through responsive instruction. Participants will explore and analyze videos and lesson records to strengthen scaffolding to know when, why, and how to shift support. Contingent decision-making fosters students' deeper learning and transfer.
Attend this session
I will not attend a session during this time period.
Attend this session

Tuesday, November 10 Concurrent Breakouts Group E (1:15-2:30 PM)--SELECT ONE*

Breakout E1: Self-monitoring: Foundational Executive Function Skill for Reading
(This is a repeat of Session A1.)
Jeff Williams, MA, Reading Recovery Teacher Leader

This session explores the importance of self-monitoring, and how it is fostered, as a foundational executive function skill that is a precursor to strategy application and comprehension development.
Attend This Session
Breakout E2: Familiar Reading: The Foundation for Successful Lessons
(This is a repeat of Session B2.)
Jamie Lipp, PhD, Mary Fried Endowed Clinical Associate Professor, The Ohio State University

It is with intention that familiar reading is the first component of the Reading Recovery lesson. Together, we will examine the practice of familiar reading to ensure we’ve unlocked the power and purpose to lay the groundwork for an accelerative lesson series.
Attend This Session
Breakout E3: Shifting Scaffolds to Teach for Independence
(This is a repeat of Session D3.)
Tracee Farmer, PhD, Associate Professor, Director, Center for Literacy Excellence, National Louis University

Center student independence through responsive instruction. Participants will explore and analyze videos and lesson records to strengthen scaffolding to know when, why, and how to shift support. Contingent decision-making fosters students' deeper learning and transfer.
Attend This Session
I will not attend a session during this time period.
Attend This Session

Additional Registration Information: Please reply to the following questions and then proceed to the Billing Information Section to complete your registration.

Lunch Attendance: Check which lunch(es) you will attend.

Provide any dietary or physical requirements you have.

Do you require SCECH credits?

If paying by Purchase Order, please provide the PO number AND the name and email of the person who should be contacted for follow up.

INVOICE REQUEST: If you require an invoice to pay by check or purchase order, please provide the name and email address to which it should be sent. If this will be a group payment, include the additional names, if known.

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