Deborah Guarino will present "Is Your Mama a Llama?"
during several storytimes on Friday & Saturday!

Guarino combines simple story-telling and original action-songs to make story time lots of fun. She will also incorporate lively question-and-answer sessions in which she asks as many questions as she answers to stimulate an active dialogue. Her illustrations, use of puppets and fun interactive performance pieces ensure that everyone feels truly "part of the show" and inspires even shy children to participate.

Don't miss this great opportunity!

Books will be available for purchase during the conference.

Author/Illustrator Dave McDonald will guide students through the process of creating characters by using simple shapes. This 45-minute interactive program includes a PowerPoint presentation, a look at comic book storytelling elements and the book-making process, PLUS an interactive cartooning lesson. Fun exercises demonstrate how WRITING comics can be just as much fun as drawing them!

Hamster Sam is available for purchase at RCS Parent Resource Centers, Everyday Art Gallery in Reidsville, and at the Community Reading Conference - Get Yours Today!

The Secret Adventures of Hamster Sam:
Attack of the Evil Boll Weevils!
This book combines outrageous comic book humor with historical elements of the Southern Piedmont's cotton and textile mill industry. Written in popular graphic novel format, Hamster Sam is a great "just for fun" book for kids 8-12, and serves a wonderful catalyst for the classroom - tying in nicely with North Carolina state standards for social studies.

COMIC WORKSHOP
Dave also plans to offer a comic workshop to a limited number of students ages 8-14. Call 623-8098 today if you are interested in attending this session! *All materials will be provided. A $10.00 fee will be charged per student.

Middle Schools:
Holmes MS - Deb Marsh
Reidsville MS - Trisha Hanks
Rockingahm MS - Donna Cook
Western Rockingham MS - Cynthia Coleman

Administrative:
RCS Central Office - Carol Slinkard

Thank you to all the reps for being willing to help spread RCRA news. You are awesome!

2009-2010 Meeting and Event Schedule
Contact your local building representative or a RCRA officer for meeting locations or more information.

Tuesday, February 9 4:00-5:30 (To be rescheduled)
Rockingham Community College, Room T-105
“It Starts in the Heart: Literacy and Conscious Discipline”
Joy Venable, Rockingham County Partnership for Children

March 19-20
Rockingham Community College RCRA’s 3rd annual
“Catch the Reading Bug” Community Reading Conference
Sign up now to volunteer!
Email smorrison@rock.k12.nc.us

March 22-24
Koury Convention Center, Greensboro
41st Annual NCRA Reading Conference
“Surfing the Waves of Literacy”
Register to attend at www.ncreading.org

Thursday, May 6 5:00-7:00
Location TBA
Learning About Teaching: Grant winner presentations
Annual Dinner Meeting
Watch for your invitation in April for more details!

2. You will be a member of both the RCRA and the North Carolina Reading Association. Members receive a discount on registration for the NCRA conference in March.

3. You are eligible to participate in the RCRA local grant program and the NCRA scholarship program. In the past years, RCRA has awarded over $3,000 in grants to local teachers.

4. You will make a difference in our community through the RCRA Community Reading Conference. This outreach program brings parents, educators, and the community together to celebrate reading and learn from each other in an informal setting. Come on, “Catch the Reading Bug” along with us this spring! You’ll be glad you did!

5. You can earn 1 CEU of reading credit through RCS/SEA System.

Email Val Pyrtle at vpyrtle@rock.k12.nc.us for more details.