MID-State Reading Council
an affiliate of the Illinois Reading Council
Back to School 2018, Volume 7, Issue 1
President's Message
Welcome Back!
I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things about being a teacher is getting two new years. There’s the one in January, you know the one: snow, streamers, sparkling ball in Times Square. And this one: back to school shopping, buildings that shine, and beautiful smiles you haven’t seen in a while. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, coming off a summer of recharging with a clear mind and open heart ready to try to tackle new challenges. Well, mostly ready. One of the most exciting parts of this new year is the new blank planner to fill with all of your favorite lessons, classroom traditions, and school functions. This year I am rolling with a Happy Planner. I am loving the colorful quotes and I aspire to keep filling it out as the days fill up. As you put dates into your own new favorite planner, I hope the events of MID - State make an appearance. The board has been hard at work this summer planning a year enriching for our membership. Check out the upcoming events below.
by, Claire Michaels,
MID-State Reading Council President
Wishing you a Happy New {School} Year!
Membership in MID-State Reading Council has it's Privileges!
Top 10 Reasons to be an IRC Member
10. Professional development opportunities
9. Book talks
8. Receive professional literacy journals
7. Book clubs
6. Wired Wednesdays
5. Amazing guest speakers
4. Carnival of Reading
3. Teacher Trivia
2. Grant opportunities
1. Meet other incredible educators excited about literacy!
Come join us for our first event of the year! Book Talk Fiesta will be September 25th at Gill Street Restaurant from 6:30-8:30.
Event cost: $5 members/$10 non-members--If you decide to join IRC at the Book Talk Fiesta your entry fee is waived!
Happy reading!
Read the World - Illinois Reading Conference
The Illinois Reading Conference is October 4-6 in Peoria Illinois. This year’s theme is “Read the World.” The diverse group of authors and speakers include:
· Kwame Alexander (Rebound)
· Sonia Nieto (Affirming Diversity)
· Carole Boston Weatherford (Freedom in the Congo Square)
· Thanhha Lai (Inside Out & Back Again)
· Brandon Mull (Dragonwatch)
· Gene Luen Yang (Secret Coders)
As you can see from the titles of their books, these authors read and write the world in unique ways. You can still benefit from early registration until August 15th. Sign up here!Book Fair @ Barnes & Noble
Do you believe everyone deserves a chance to have access to good quality literature? Would you like to support Illinois authors? Do you enjoy getting a discount and helping out a good cause? If you answered yes to any or all of the above, then you will definitely want to come out to the Bloomington Barnes and Noble on October 21 to support MID-State Reading Council.
You can bring in the voucher found below or order online up to five days after the event. If you forget your voucher at home, just mention you would like your sales to go toward MID-State’s Book Fair. This includes games, toys, stationary, music, items purchased from the café, and of course, BOOKS!
The money raised will go towards purchasing books from the ILLINOIS READS list to distribute to families in our community. ILLINOIS READS is a statewide project to promote reading for Illinois residents. Spanning infants through adults, these books have been chosen reflecting a variety of topics and genres whose authors include ties to Illinois. More information on this initiative can be found at www.illinoisreads.org.
Please feel free to share this with friends and family. Not only will you be supporting a fabulous initiative, you will also be saving money due to Educator Appreciation Week at Barnes and Noble on October 21! Anyone who attends and mentions this article will be placed into a raffle drawing for a FREE IRC membership or renewal!