Illinois Reading Council

1210 Fort Jesse Road, Suite B2, Normal, Illinois 61761 Phone: (888) 454-1341 Fax: (309) 454-3512

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Local Resources

Agriculture in the classroom

Visit this website for agriculture ideas to use in your classroom. This resource was featured during the annual IRC conference.

Anderson's Bookshop

Anderson’s Bookshop to Host 5th Annual Young Adult Literature Conference. Anderson’s Bookshop invites teachers, librarians, and all lovers of books for young adults to a full day of literature seminars, author signings, and shopping for your favorite YA titles. Mark your calendar for Saturday September 27 at the Holiday Inn Select in Naperville. Registration begins at 7:30 am and the bookstore remains open until 4:30 pm. The conference includes continental breakfast and plated lunch, keynote speakers and breakout sessions, bookstore time, and author signings. Lots of give-aways and raffles add to the enjoyment of this all day event. The conference fee is $95 and includes all meals, a conference packet, seminars, signings, and giveaways. A special discount fee of $75 applies to full-time students with proof of current registration. Call 800-728-0708 to reserve your place as space is limited. Checks, credit cards, and P.O.’s are accepted. Acclaimed authors Holly Black, Suzanne Collins, Caroline B. Cooney, Ellen Klages, John Stokes, and Nancy Werlin are the featured speakers. In addition, a notable group of Illinois authors are scheduled to present. All authors will sign books during the day, and selected pre-signed titles will also be on hand in the bookstore. Teachers attending the full conference are eligible to apply for 7 CPDU credits. Detailed conference information viewable on our website at www.andersonsbookshop.com. Click on Young Adult Literature Conference on the left-side navigation bar. Upcoming events include our 2009 Children’s Literature Conference—Saturday February 21.

Early Learning Illinois

The Early Learning Illinois campaign wants Illinois to lead the nation in making available voluntary, high-quality preschool to all 3- and 4-year-olds; supporting parents as their children's first teachers; and producing a highly qualified early childhood workforce.

Family Reading Night in Illinois

The statewide celebration, Family Reading Night 2008 is scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2008.  Family Reading Night also marks the start of the three-day Illinois Authors Book Fair weekend. Sponsored by Jesse White, Secretary of State and State Librarian, Family Reading Night is celebrated annually in Illinois on the third Thursday in November. Family Reading Night is a statewide event when families are encouraged to spend quality time reading together.

Grade Level Bibliographies

A special thank you to Louise Stearns from Southern Illinois University for sharing these comprehensive listing of grade level bibliographies.

Illinois Association of Education of Young Children

The vision of the Illinois Association for the Education of Young Children is that every young child in Illinois will have access to the highest quality of care and education. This website provides information about membership and professional development opportunities for educators.

Illinois Early Learning Project

The Illinois Early Learning Web site is an effective means of providing evidence-based, reliable information for parents, caregivers, and teachers of young children in the State of Illinois. The Web site offers printable Tip Sheets for caregivers and parents, Frequently Asked Questions (and their responses), a statewide calendar of events for parents and caregivers, an easy-to-use database of links to the best of the Web on topics of high interest, and Online Chats.

Illinois Reading Recovery

The 18th Annual Early Literacy and Illinois Reading Recovery Conference will be held on January 15-16, 2009 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown. The conference is designed to provide excellent professional development opportunities for K-3 classroom teachers, reading specialists, school and district administrators, board members, special education professionals, and Reading Recovery staff. Optional graduate credit and continuing education credit are available. The pre-conference is January 14th. Please visit www.illinoisreadingrecovery.org (click "conference" on the left) for more information or contact Ellen Swengel, Conference Coordinator, at (217) 359-7434.

Illinois State Board of Education


Illinois Library Association

The Illinois Library Association's cyberguide assists families through cyberspace, with definitions, safety tips, and over 100 suggested Web sites for children, educators, and parents. Shop ILA online to order books and brochures to help you through the day and find the IREAD summer reading promotional materials.

Illinois State Literacy Office

This site will direct you to many useful resources and provide details for literacy events such as Family Reading Night and Read for a Lifetime. Read for a Lifetime is the only statewide reading program targeting high school students.

Lincoln Recommended Sites

The Lincoln Museum is a must see Springfield, Illinois attraction. People from all over the country can discover or rediscover the sixteenth president through this museum. Check out the museum and library's informative website.


The
Abraham Lincoln Award is awarded annually to the author of the book voted as most outstanding by participating students in grades nine through twelve in Illinois. The award is named for Abraham Lincoln, one of Illinois' most famous residents and himself an avid reader and noted author. The award is sponsored by the Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA). The Abraham Lincoln Award is designed to encourage high school students to read for personal satisfaction and become familiar with authors of young adult and adult books.


The ultimate Lincoln Resource is
Lincoln: A Photo biography by Russell Freedman. This book, even though it has been around for almost 18 years, is a "must have" for all teachers, especially those who need to study up on our 16th president before teaching students about him. Check out this website for more information on this valuable resource.

Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award

The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award was developed to encourage children and young adults to read for personal satisfaction. It is an Illinois award for outstanding literature for young people and is sponsored by the Illinois Reading Council, the Illinois School Library Media Association, and the Illinois Association of Teachers of English. This site includes student contest information and Caudill Award winners.

Saint Xavier University Conference

Saint Xavier University School of Education is sponsoring a one day conference on Wedensday, October 15, 2008 entitled Harvest Literacy for K-8 teachers, professionals, and for parents at its Orland Park Illinois Campus, 18230 Orland Parkway. Richard Allington, Ph.D. is the featured speaker. His address is entitled, "Characteristics of Effective Teachers of Reading." Other sessions will be given as well. To register online, by phone or by mail, or to receive more information about various sessions offered visit www.sxu.edu/harvest. To register or to get more information by phone, contact the Orland Park receptionist at (708) 802-6200. Early Bird discount registration will be given if registered by September 25, 2008.

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

Are you interested in writing and/or illustrating for children? Have you written or illustrated a children's book but don't know what to do now? Are you looking for a writing class, an illustration class, an agent? Are you looking for a speaker for your bookstore, school or library? This site has it all! Visit this link for information and resources. Also, don't forget to check out the 2007 Spring crop of new books: Home Grown in Illinois." SCBWI Newsletter is also available online at www.intelligentlight.com/PrairieWind/




Illinois Reading Council
an affiliate of the
International Reading Association

For general information, contact us at: irc@illinoisreadingcouncil.org