Resources:

Association for Media Educators (AIME) sponsors an annual conference in the fall featuring children’s book authors, workshops and exhibits of new books. At: http://www.ilfonline.org/conferences.htm

The Buddy Teaching and Learning Center (BTLC), a professional development center, offers free or almost free one, two and three day workshops for Indiana educators. Examples with a reading focus include: Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Standards-based Language Arts Activities and Ideas (Grades K-5), Writing with Technology Tools, Little Kids Can Too!, Integrating Writing and Technology. At: http://www.btlc.org

Children's Literature Conference, Butler University, Indianapolis, is held on the last Saturday of January yearly. Award-winning children’s books authors and illustrators are featured along with workshops on children’s literature. Contact: Children’s Literature Conference, Butler University, 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN, 46208. At: http://www.butler.edu/childlit/about.htm

Children & Young People's Division of the IN Library Federation sponsors a conference each fall featuring workshops about books, reading, authors, illustrators and programs. At: http://www.ilfonline.org/Conf/CYPD/cypdconf.htm

Four Blocks (Gr 1-2), Big Blocks (Gr 4-6) and other reading workshops are offered by the Educational Service Centers across the state. Check for specific information at the service center in your area. At: http://www.doe.state.in.us/htmls/esc.html

Indiana State Reading Association sponsors state programs, conferences and meetings planned to provide knowledge that will assist educators to solve reading problems and stimulate the love of reading as a lifelong habit. Contact: Scott Popplewell, Executive Director, Ball State Teacher's College 311, Muncie, IN 47306: (765) 285-8560 (email: spopplew@bsu.edu) At: http://www.indianareads.org/

Indiana Writing Initiative - The Indiana Writing Development Project is a statewide initiative developed in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) and the Indiana Education Service Centers for teachers to gain confidence in their ability to teach the writing process. An ongoing series of five days of writing development training are held at sites in the northern, central, and southern areas of the state. At: http://www.iuswp.net/index.html

Indiana Writing Project sponsors a summer institute at Ball State for teachers with 3+ years experience. Participants write, research topics in the teaching of writing, and present to each other successful, practical teaching techniques. At: http://iwp.iweb.bsu.edu/

International Reading Association – Their annual convention is held each spring to give professionals a chance to exchange information with peers, gain access to resources, and network with other professionals. For information on the national, state and regional conferences. At: http://www.reading.org/