Toronto Reads: TRC newsletter

President's Message

Spring fever is taking its toll.  The outdoors beckons and my thoughts are scattered like seeds drifting in the wind.  But today I have taken myself in hand and directed myself to write to you.  This past year at the TRC has been very busy.  Our inspiring fall authors’ conference was followed by our April conference with Rosalie Fink.  She assured us that the passions and interests of our struggling readers are often the keys that open the doors to their reading.  These were hopeful and helpful words on a fine spring day.

Like this season of new growth, we are bursting with plans for our fall and spring conferences.  Yes, we’re reprising our October authors’ conference, In, Out and About Text.  I am confident that our authors’ panel will once again charm you with their stories, humour and wit.  Certainly, without fail, they and their teacher partners will mesmerize you with ideas and plans for using their books in the classroom.  It will be another day of practical, usable and realistic classroom applications.  What better way can there be to learn more about teaching?

Nell Duke might be another answer to that last question.  She will be our keynote speaker in April when we come together for In, Out and About Non-fiction.  Teaching our students to read, comprehend and interpret non-fiction is critical.  The research tells us that this a much neglected area in classrooms everywhere.  How unfortunate.  When we consider our own daily reading consumption, the reading of non-fiction (letters, bills, newspapers, memos, magazines, professional books, manuals and emails) far outweighs the time that most of us devote to the reading of fiction.  Nell Duke will help us come to grips with the skill sets that are essential for our students to master the world of non-fiction.

We have much to look forward to in the ensuing months.  In the meantime enjoy the hours and days of leisure that await you at the end of road.

Carol Jupiter