ECE 2010 Early Bird Workshops - UW Stout, Wisconsin's Polytechnic University

Conference handouts may be accessed, Wednesday, April 7, by clicking the link on the title. Lost your password? Please contact Outreach Services (conferences-workshops@uwstout.edu), and an e-mail with your password will be sent the next business day.

*Early Bird workshops have been approved for .2 CEUs.*

Color "R" World — An In-Depth Review
Ms. Tami Tousignant, Workshop Presenter/Stay at Home Mom 
This presentation will demonstrate appropriate learning centers and storytelling techniques that can be used with preschool to first grade aged children. The ideas presented are developed on sturdy, wood teaching tools and are commercially available. There will be a multitude of ideas for you to take home with you as well as a free handout. Come and explore the wonders of storytelling in a variety of ways using flip boards, paddleboards, slot boxes and story wheels!

"Let’s Dig In”: There is a Scientist in Everyone
Mrs. Sherry Ann Wolfer, Early Childhood Consultant
Science is everywhere. Much of what children learn relates to science concepts. You don’t have to be a scientist to provide a rich, inviting supportive environment filled with hands-on activities. Children need experiences with materials, ideas and events. Come and explore this highly rated hands-on workshop that contains easy and inexpensive science experiments, science activities and science table-top props that are developmentally appropriate for preschool and kindergarten children beginning at age two.

Using Read Alouds to Foster Reading Enthusiasm and Demonstrate Essential Reading Skills
Dr. Kimberly Martinez, Assistant Professor
School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Stout
Teaching children to read for enjoyment is crucial to fostering a lifetime love of reading. Early childhood teachers are some of the most important facilitators in motivating children to read. In this workshop, you will learn how to use read alouds to share reading enthusiasm with your children, to engage children's enthusiasm through dramatic readings, and to model and demonstrate beginning reading comprehension skills and vocabulary development. Resources listing great children's books to promote reading motivation will also be shared!

Tami Tousignant is currently a full-time Mom of twins in Green Bay. She taught Kindergarten for two years and first grade for four years in the Green Bay Public Schools. Since about 1994, she has been creating, developing and presenting Color "R" World materials to educators who work with young children from the ages of Pre-K through second grade. Stories and learning centers are presented on flip boards, five wide boards, criss-cross boards, magnetic tins, slot boards, paddleboards, and pockets, just to name a few.

Sherry Ann Wolfer has a degree in Child Development and has worked in an accredited preschool. After having three children of her own, Sherry Ann started doing workshops for teachers of early childhood education. Sherry Ann has presented at numerous workshops including the state AEYC conferences in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. She has been an early childhood consultant for more than 13 years and is a published author of several books.

Kimberly Martinez is an assistant professor in literacy education at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Kimberly received her PhD in reading education and her MEd in elementary education from Auburn University in Alabama and her BA in child psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She has over 10 years of experience in teaching with the Department of Defense Education Activity in Fort Benning, Georgia as an early grades teachers and remedial reading teacher. Kimberly has presented at local, regional and national conventions on topics in reading education. Her areas of interest include the use of read-alouds and choral reading to promote literacy enthusiasm and skills as well as the use of multicultural children’s literature to promote cultural awareness and appreciation.