MELIT: Capturing Children's Hearts for Literacy Learning
Register here: https://memberlink.mbteach.org/Event.axd?e=2982
MELIT - Manitoba Early Literacy Intervention Teachers
Conference Title: Capturing Children's Hearts for Literacy Learning
Location: Hybrid; In-Person: The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, 145 Leaf Way, Winnipeg, MB; Virtual
Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Registration Deadline: October 13, 2025 at 12:00 am
Teachers know that when we capture children's hearts, we create the conditions for limitless possibilities in learning. Our keynote speaker, Debra Crouch, will guide us in exploring the foundational Conditions of Learning that make it possible for us to capture children's hearts and make powerful teaching decisions that will positively impact each child's journey to becoming literate. Breakout sessions will provide teachers with practical examples of how Manitoba educators are capturing children's hearts and making them readers, writers, speakers, and thinkers. We are pleased to be able to offer virtual attendance at this years MTS PD Day. Virtual participants will be able to join us for live streaming of the Opening and Closing Keynote Sessions along with one online-only session during the morning and afternoon breakout slots.
- In-Person Program -
08:00 am - 09:00 am - Registration and Light Refreshments
09:00 am - 09:15 am - Welcome and AGM (Event Hall A&B)
09:15 am - 10:25 am - Opening Keynote: Teaching Decisions to Support Conditions of Learning: From Theory to Practice, Debra Crouch
10:25 am - 10:45 am - Break
10:45 am - 11:45 am - Breakout Sessions 1 (Choose from 5 options)
11:45 am - 01:00 pm - Lunch
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm - Breakout Sessions 2 (Choose from 5 options)
02:00 pm - 02:15 pm - Break
02:15 pm - 03:15 pm - Closing Keynote: From the Learner’s Perspective, Debra Crouch
03:15 pm - 03:30 pm - Wrap-Up & Door Prizes
Detailed session descriptions can be found in the PDF program.
- Virtual Program -
08:45 am - 09:00 am - Join Zoom meeting
09:00 am - 09:15 am - Welcome and AGM
09:15 am - 10:25 am - Opening Keynote: Teaching Decisions To Support Conditions of Learning: From Theory to Practice, Debra Crouch
10:25 am - 10:45 am - Break
10:45 am - 11:45 am - Online Session 1: Engaging & Supporting Young Literacy Learners: Talking, Reading & Writing, Allyson Matczuk
11:45 am - 01:00 pm - Lunch
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm - Online Session 2: Integrating Manitoba's ELA Curriculum, Global Competencies, & Indigenous Perspectives, Kathy Glenesk
02:00 pm - 02:15 pm - Break
02:15 pm - 03:15 pm - Closing Keynote: From the Learner’s Perspective, Debra Crouch
03:15 pm - 03:30 pm - Wrap-Up & Virtual Door Prize Draw
- Conference and Membership Fees -
MELIT In-Person Conference Fee .................................. $95
MELIT In-Person Conference & Membership Fee ....... $80 Full Day / ..... $45 Half Day (no lunch provided)
MELIT Student Conference & Membership Fee .......... $65 (in-person only)
MELIT Virtual Conference Fee ....................................... $70
MELIT Virtual Conference & Membership Fee ............ $65
MELIT Membership Fee .................................................. $20
MELIT Student Membership Fee ................................... $10
Cancellation Policy: No cancellations will be processed once payment has been received.
If you require any additional information about this conference, please contact Helen Proulx at helen.proulx@sjasd.ca or Elizabeth Klassen at elizabethklassen2@gmail.com.
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Sessions - 9:00 AM-10:25 AM
AM0: Opening Keynote - Am I Doing This Right?
Opening Keynote - "Am I doing this right?": How learning happens and the teacher's role in supporting it.
Presenter: Debra Crouch
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: Event Hall A & B, The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, 145 Leaf Way, Winnipeg, MB
Participant Max: 230
Sessions - 9:00 AM-3:30 PM
Virtual Program
- Virtual Program -
09:00 am - 09:15 am - Welcome and AGM
09:15 am - 10:25 am - Opening Keynote: Teaching Decisions To Support Conditions of Learning: From Theory to Practice, Debra Crouch
10:25 am - 10:45 am - Break
10:45 am - 11:45 am - Online Session 1: Engaging & Supporting Young Literacy Learners: Talking, Reading & Writing, Allyson Matczuk
11:45 am - 01:00 pm - Lunch
01:00 pm - 02:00 pm - Online Session 2: Integrating Manitoba's ELA Curriculum, Global Competencies, & Indigenous Perspectives, Kathy Glenesk
02:00 pm - 02:15 pm - Break
02:15 pm - 03:15 pm - Closing Keynote: From the Learner’s Perspective, Debra Crouch
03:15 pm - 03:30 pm - Wrap-Up & Virtual Door Prize Draw
Detailed session descriptions can be found in the PDF program.
Sessions - 10:45 AM-11:45 AM
AM1: Teaching Children How We Learn
Teachers will explore a unit designed to help children investigate big ideas about learning and develop greater self-awareness as learners
Presenter: Debra Crouch
Suitable for: K-5 Literacy Educators
Location: Event Hall B, The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, 145 Leaf Way, Winnipeg, MB
Participant Max: 110
AM2: What Counts in Teaching Literacy? How Do We Fit It All In?
What Counts in Teaching Literacy? How do We Fit it All in? Integrating Manitoba's ELA Curriculum, Global Competencies, and Indigenous Perspectives
Presenter: Kathy Glenesk
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: Event Hall A, The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, 145 Leaf Way, Winnipeg, MB
Participant Max: 60
AM3: Capturing Young Writers' Hearts
Capturing Young Writers' Hearts: Integrating Curriculum to Support Power and Agency
Presenters: Jeff Kosowan; Alysha Warren; Jackie Borgfjord; Lord Selkirk School Division
Suitable for: Grades 2-5 Literacy Educators
Location: Tannis Richardson Classroom, The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, 145 Leaf Way, Winnipeg, MB
Participant Max: 30
AM4: The Roots of Learning
The Roots Of Learning: An early-learning, literacy focused tour of The Leaf’s Biomes
Presenter: Kim Crockett
Suitable for: K-2 Literacy Educators
Location: The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, 145 Leaf Way, Winnipeg, MB
Participant Max: 20
Session Fee: $10 per participant
AM5: Tracking for Teachers - Landscape Literacy
Tracking for Teachers: Landscape Literacy
Presenter: Barrett Miller
Suitable for: K-5 Literacy Educators
Location: Leaf Outdoor Gardens, The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, 145 Leaf Way, Winnipeg, MB
Participant Max: 20
Session Fee: $5 per participant
Sessions - 1:00 PM-2:00 PM
PM1: Meaningful Engagement & Autonomy from an Indigenous Lens
This session explores how early literacy and learner autonomy can be nurtured through an Indigenous lens, honoring each child’s identity and development with responsive, culturally respectful instruction.
Presenter: Gloria Sinclair
Suitable for: K-5 Literacy Educators
Location: Event Hall B, The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, 145 Leaf Way, Winnipeg, MB
Participant Max: 110
PM2: Tiny Worlds, Big Words!
This hands-on session shows how small-world play fosters oral language and emergent literacy, offering K–2 educators practical strategies and ready-to-use tools for joyful, responsive instruction.
Presenter: Jessica Laluk & Jenna Wynnyk
Suitable for: K-5 Literacy Educators
Location: The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, 145 Leaf Way, Winnipeg, MB
Participant Max: 60
PM3: Students as Literacy Mentors
Students as Literacy Mentors: Quick writes, quick reads & conversation to support every child to be a reader and a writer.
Presenter: Holly Cumming
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: Tannis Richardson Classroom, The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, 145 Leaf Way, Winnipeg, MB
Participant Max: 30
PM4: The Roots of Learning
The Roots Of Learning: An early-learning, literacy focused tour of The Leaf’s Biomes
Presenter: Kim Crockett
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, 145 Leaf Way, Winnipeg, MB
Participant Max: 20
Session Fee: $10 per participant
PM5: Tracking for Teachers - Landscape Literacy
Tracking for Teachers: Landscape Literacy
Presenter: Barrett Miller
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: Leaf Outdoor Gardens, The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, 145 Leaf Way, Winnipeg, MB
Participant Max: 20
Session Fee: $5 per participant
Sessions - 2:15 PM-3:15 PM
PM6: Closing Keynote - From the Learner's Perspective
This keynote invites participants to reflect on their learning, recognize how the day’s interactions supported the Conditions of Learning, and explore how similar practices can inform their own teaching.
Presenter: Debra Crouch
Suitable for: All Educators
Location: The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, 145 Leaf Way, Winnipeg, MB
Participant Max: 230