MARK YOUR CALENDAR....NOW!!! 33rd Southwest IRA Regional Conference will be February 4-6, 2010 at the Oklahoma City Cox Center. Experience an excellent professional development opportunity at the 33rd Southwest IRA Regional Conference. Share experiences with leading voices in literacy education who will speak include Debbie Diller, whose works include Practice with Purpose, Literacy Work Stations, and Making the Most of Small Groups;, Dr. Tim Rasinski, author of The Fluent Reader, Building Fluency Through Practice and Performance, and Poems for Word Study. Additional general session speakers include Dr. Tyrone Howard of UCLA, Dr. Mary Howard whose newest book is entitled Response to Intervention: Using a Tiered Reading Model to Build a Rich Framework and IRA Vice-President and Board Member Patricia Edwards whose works include Children’s Literacy Development: Making It Happen Through School, Family, and Community Involvement. Connect with professionals from across the region. Explore the latest in educational materials and resources in the Exhibit Hall. Connect with professionals from across the region. With renowned festivals, national sporting events, treasure-filled museums and a variety of districts highlighting arts and entertainment, the possibilities for adventure and fun in Oklahoma City are endless. Connect with professionals from across the region. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS: Oklahoma’s own and recent Coretta Scott King Award Winning Author/Illustrator Floyd Cooper, whose book titles include Mandella, Ma Dear’s Aprons, Tree of Hope, I Have Heard of A Land, Miz Berlin Walks, Be Good to Eddie Lee, and many others will be the featured speaker at the Author Luncheon on Friday. On Saturday, award winning writer Pamela Munoz Ryan, author of When Marian Sang, Paint the Wind, Riding Freedom, The Flag We Love, and Esperanza Rising will entertain us at the Saturday author luncheon. Cost of a ticket for each author luncheon is $35.00 and can also be purchased online at the time of registration. Door prizes will be given away at all ticketed events! Other outstanding presenters and authors include The Bag Ladies, whose make-it-and-take-it workshops are nationally renowned, as well as outstanding and award winning authors Anna Myers, Jerry Pallotta, Mike Wimmer, Kim Doner, Anna Myers, writing expert Dr. Tommy Thomason of Texas Christian University, and Tammi Sauer. Breakout sessions featuring some of the nation’s finest presenters include topics such as Brain Based Learning, Adolescent Literacy, Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum, Literacy Strategies for Reluctant and Struggling Readers, Parental Involvement, Professional Development, and Literacy Coaching just to name a few. Southwest Registration and housing will open Sep.tember 15, 2009. • The early registration deadline date will be January 21, Registration is possible at the conference 2010 More information can be found at the International Reading Association's website. http//www. reading.org/General/Conferences/RegionalConferences/OklahomaRegional.aspx Please contact Cathy Barker (katiemadison@sbcglobal.net) for more information. • Attention Teachers: