Breakout Session Descriptions
When registering, select three breakout
sessions that you would like to attend.
When registering, select three breakout
sessions that you would like to attend.
Art of Inspiration: How to Come Up with Story Ideas If You’re Stuck | Cordelia Jensen
In this workshop, Cordelia Jensen (author of Skyscraping, The Way the Light Bends and co-author of Every Shiny Thing) will start by explaining how and why she got the ideas to write her three published books and what the creative process was like for each of those. Next, Cordelia will explore more generally how authors generate story inspiration and material. Last, Cordelia will lead the group in a creative exercise that hopefully will lead each student to their own story idea. Book-related prizes will be given out to those students willing to share their ideas!
The Art of Reviewing | Roxanne Hsu Feldman and Christine Payne - ADULT ONLY
Thousands of new books are published every year. Who has time to read all of them to find the most suitable classroom and library materials? That’s why good reviews are essential. But in the age of “anyone is a reviewer” (think Amazon, Goodreads, etc,) how do you know which review source, or even specific reviewers, to trust? In this workshop, we will discuss the professional reviewing process and examine established review journals designed for educators. We will also share other well regarded review sites and even explore venues to publish your own or your students’ reviews.
Bus 57 - Meeting Richard | Karla Fleshman
We will explore Richard's life - their racial identity, family, friends, school, and response to the encounter on the 57 Bus.
In both sessions, we will discuss the limits of binary thought: black and white, male and female, guilty and innocent, victim and perpetrator while also exploring the concepts of forgiveness, reconciliation, and restorative justice.
Bus 57 - Meeting Sasha | Karla Fleshman
We will explore Sasha's life - their gender identity, family, friends, school, and response to the encounter on the 57 Bus.
In both sessions, we will discuss the limits of binary thought: black and white, male and female, guilty and innocent, victim and perpetrator while also exploring the concepts of forgiveness, reconciliation, and restorative justice.
Channel Surfing Your Community | Harry Brake, Donna Carter, and students from Riff Magazine - ADULT
Technology! Video! Social media! Is there a place and time for community?
Absolutely. A combination of students, a public library, and a school library all help break down various project-based initiatives that bind a community together through the involvement of graphic novels, gaming, literary and artistic pursuits, grant writing, and more. Discover many hands-on projects that can revitalize approaches to libraries, community organizations, as well as connect to channels of disciplines within the school. Our developed "remote control" menu of options will allow you to take back ideas and approaches that will help you discover more about how DASL can support your needs, as well as promote your ideas and activities to reach into the community even more.
Efficient Creativity | Julianna Baggott
Writers face many challenges that stand between them and their work -- a lack time, distraction, doubt, and fear, to name a few. The key to overcoming these challenges is getting to know your creative process, questioning it, engaging in best practices, and helping your process evolve -- through good times and bad. In this session, we will look at these challenges and begin the process of creating a stronger process so everyone goes home with an action plan.
The Hate U Give - Book Discussion | Jessica Lauver
“We let people say stuff, and they say it so much that it becomes okay to them and normal for us.”
The Hate U Give is a powerful novel. Angie Thomas’s words ring a bell in all our minds. The students of Louis L. Redding MS will workshop concepts present throughout the book, and society, to have participants reflect on personal prejudices and how they can either lead to a new generation of hate or strengthen a world of acceptance. Joining Ms. Lauver and the students will two of her partners in crime: Nikki McNeill and Maggie Woodock.
How to Create an Engaging Children’s Book! | Chimere R. McLean and LaVern Tabb Robinson
Publishing a children’s book is an endeavor worth taking. Join Chimere McLean, author of Dream, Little One, Dream!, and LaVern Tabb Robinson, author of Stinky Steven Stench, for an enlightening look at creating fun books for children. Participants will learn the essential elements of how children’s books are created. Additionally, students will put their ideas on paper and develop the blueprint for their own children’s book.
More Than Facts: Making Non-Fiction Fun to Write and Read | John Micklos, Jr.
This session will show young writers how they can bring their nonfiction writing to life using fascinating facts, interesting anecdotes, and cool quotes. I will describe how to conduct research (including tips for determining if a source is reputable), how to incorporate the best of what you find, and what to do when you find conflicting facts.
Nuts and Bolts of Publishing | Julianna Baggott
This is a cross-genre primer on the publishing industry -- from querying agents to the workings of big New York City publishing houses to indie presses to poetry-collection contests to placing work in literary magazines and op-eds. This will be a fast-paced session with time for Q and A. (This session will not cover self-publishing alternatives.)
The One Memory of Flora Banks - Book Discussion |
Harry Brake, Donna Carter
and Students from Riff literary magazine
“I am really here. Yet I know I am not. I am inside something that must be buried in my head. I am layers deep in my own brain.”
Does The One Memory of Flora Banks cause unsettling impressions in its readers? Do moments in Emily Barr’s novel mirror current day scenarios parents and teens are working through? These are just some of the questions that a Delaware public librarian, a school librarian, and literary art students tackle in connection to some very real pop culture ties. While there are similarities galore to the 2000 film Memento, this workshop will help to surface issues that are seen everywhere that tie to a Middle /High School audience. We invite attendees to add to the analysis of this fascinating plot.
Real News: And How to Write It | Christina Jedra
How do you select a topic that will hold public interest? How do you know when you have fact that the public must know? Should the news hold powerful people accountable for their actions? All of these questions will be answered by an investigative reporter as you examine the art and reality of journalism.
What are you Reading? | Roxanne Hsu Feldman and Christine Payne
Explore reading in its many splendid and different formats! We will recommend many great graphic novels, awesome audiobooks, and vibrant verse novels. But, we are also curious about what you are “reading”? (Song Lyrics? Fan fic? Web Comic? Zines?) Be prepared to share and receive ideas for reading!
What Makes News? | Cris Barrish
In this session, you will dive into the career of a journalist who has written for the News Journal, chronicled the Ann Marie Fahey murder in a book, and covered stories for both radio and public television. Students will learn the art of both researching and writing for a news outlet.
Writing for Fun! | Paul Volponi
This creative writing workshop is guaranteed to be helpful to the budding writer. Students simply need to show up with a pen and paper. Paul Volponi will get students writing while looking at some essential writing techniques. Writing will be followed by a question-and-answer time between author and students.
Writing with the Twin Poets | Nnamdi Chukwuocha and Albert Mills
Delaware’s Poets Laureate will recite some of their poetry and then engage workshop participants in writing exercises to develop their own poems. The Twin Poets will also discuss the importance of journaling during the creative process.
In this workshop, Cordelia Jensen (author of Skyscraping, The Way the Light Bends and co-author of Every Shiny Thing) will start by explaining how and why she got the ideas to write her three published books and what the creative process was like for each of those. Next, Cordelia will explore more generally how authors generate story inspiration and material. Last, Cordelia will lead the group in a creative exercise that hopefully will lead each student to their own story idea. Book-related prizes will be given out to those students willing to share their ideas!
The Art of Reviewing | Roxanne Hsu Feldman and Christine Payne - ADULT ONLY
Thousands of new books are published every year. Who has time to read all of them to find the most suitable classroom and library materials? That’s why good reviews are essential. But in the age of “anyone is a reviewer” (think Amazon, Goodreads, etc,) how do you know which review source, or even specific reviewers, to trust? In this workshop, we will discuss the professional reviewing process and examine established review journals designed for educators. We will also share other well regarded review sites and even explore venues to publish your own or your students’ reviews.
Bus 57 - Meeting Richard | Karla Fleshman
We will explore Richard's life - their racial identity, family, friends, school, and response to the encounter on the 57 Bus.
In both sessions, we will discuss the limits of binary thought: black and white, male and female, guilty and innocent, victim and perpetrator while also exploring the concepts of forgiveness, reconciliation, and restorative justice.
Bus 57 - Meeting Sasha | Karla Fleshman
We will explore Sasha's life - their gender identity, family, friends, school, and response to the encounter on the 57 Bus.
In both sessions, we will discuss the limits of binary thought: black and white, male and female, guilty and innocent, victim and perpetrator while also exploring the concepts of forgiveness, reconciliation, and restorative justice.
Channel Surfing Your Community | Harry Brake, Donna Carter, and students from Riff Magazine - ADULT
Technology! Video! Social media! Is there a place and time for community?
Absolutely. A combination of students, a public library, and a school library all help break down various project-based initiatives that bind a community together through the involvement of graphic novels, gaming, literary and artistic pursuits, grant writing, and more. Discover many hands-on projects that can revitalize approaches to libraries, community organizations, as well as connect to channels of disciplines within the school. Our developed "remote control" menu of options will allow you to take back ideas and approaches that will help you discover more about how DASL can support your needs, as well as promote your ideas and activities to reach into the community even more.
Efficient Creativity | Julianna Baggott
Writers face many challenges that stand between them and their work -- a lack time, distraction, doubt, and fear, to name a few. The key to overcoming these challenges is getting to know your creative process, questioning it, engaging in best practices, and helping your process evolve -- through good times and bad. In this session, we will look at these challenges and begin the process of creating a stronger process so everyone goes home with an action plan.
The Hate U Give - Book Discussion | Jessica Lauver
“We let people say stuff, and they say it so much that it becomes okay to them and normal for us.”
The Hate U Give is a powerful novel. Angie Thomas’s words ring a bell in all our minds. The students of Louis L. Redding MS will workshop concepts present throughout the book, and society, to have participants reflect on personal prejudices and how they can either lead to a new generation of hate or strengthen a world of acceptance. Joining Ms. Lauver and the students will two of her partners in crime: Nikki McNeill and Maggie Woodock.
How to Create an Engaging Children’s Book! | Chimere R. McLean and LaVern Tabb Robinson
Publishing a children’s book is an endeavor worth taking. Join Chimere McLean, author of Dream, Little One, Dream!, and LaVern Tabb Robinson, author of Stinky Steven Stench, for an enlightening look at creating fun books for children. Participants will learn the essential elements of how children’s books are created. Additionally, students will put their ideas on paper and develop the blueprint for their own children’s book.
More Than Facts: Making Non-Fiction Fun to Write and Read | John Micklos, Jr.
This session will show young writers how they can bring their nonfiction writing to life using fascinating facts, interesting anecdotes, and cool quotes. I will describe how to conduct research (including tips for determining if a source is reputable), how to incorporate the best of what you find, and what to do when you find conflicting facts.
Nuts and Bolts of Publishing | Julianna Baggott
This is a cross-genre primer on the publishing industry -- from querying agents to the workings of big New York City publishing houses to indie presses to poetry-collection contests to placing work in literary magazines and op-eds. This will be a fast-paced session with time for Q and A. (This session will not cover self-publishing alternatives.)
The One Memory of Flora Banks - Book Discussion |
Harry Brake, Donna Carter
and Students from Riff literary magazine
“I am really here. Yet I know I am not. I am inside something that must be buried in my head. I am layers deep in my own brain.”
Does The One Memory of Flora Banks cause unsettling impressions in its readers? Do moments in Emily Barr’s novel mirror current day scenarios parents and teens are working through? These are just some of the questions that a Delaware public librarian, a school librarian, and literary art students tackle in connection to some very real pop culture ties. While there are similarities galore to the 2000 film Memento, this workshop will help to surface issues that are seen everywhere that tie to a Middle /High School audience. We invite attendees to add to the analysis of this fascinating plot.
Real News: And How to Write It | Christina Jedra
How do you select a topic that will hold public interest? How do you know when you have fact that the public must know? Should the news hold powerful people accountable for their actions? All of these questions will be answered by an investigative reporter as you examine the art and reality of journalism.
What are you Reading? | Roxanne Hsu Feldman and Christine Payne
Explore reading in its many splendid and different formats! We will recommend many great graphic novels, awesome audiobooks, and vibrant verse novels. But, we are also curious about what you are “reading”? (Song Lyrics? Fan fic? Web Comic? Zines?) Be prepared to share and receive ideas for reading!
What Makes News? | Cris Barrish
In this session, you will dive into the career of a journalist who has written for the News Journal, chronicled the Ann Marie Fahey murder in a book, and covered stories for both radio and public television. Students will learn the art of both researching and writing for a news outlet.
Writing for Fun! | Paul Volponi
This creative writing workshop is guaranteed to be helpful to the budding writer. Students simply need to show up with a pen and paper. Paul Volponi will get students writing while looking at some essential writing techniques. Writing will be followed by a question-and-answer time between author and students.
Writing with the Twin Poets | Nnamdi Chukwuocha and Albert Mills
Delaware’s Poets Laureate will recite some of their poetry and then engage workshop participants in writing exercises to develop their own poems. The Twin Poets will also discuss the importance of journaling during the creative process.
