Pearson Alberta Conference Website
Pearson Canada has the learning solutions to meet the needs of your districts and classrooms. Explore print and digital resources that specifically support the Alberta curriculum.

Save the Date for Pearson's Speaker Sessions!
North Central Teachers’ Convention Association
Join Kristy Dunn, MEd., for an insightful and timely discussion about phonics: What is phonics and why is it important? How can I assess my students' phonics knowledge? Why should I follow a scope and sequence? What does explicit teaching look like? Kristy Dunn, along with co-author George Georgiou, have recently published a new book called The Phonics Companion. This includes a Canadian-developed scope and sequence along with 120 phonics lessons. In this session, Kristy will talk about their research and insights for effective teaching and learning of phonics skills.
Thursday, February 9 from 9am-10am
The Westin & Edmonton Convention Center | Room Details: Leduc

Kristy Dunn is a doctoral candidate in Special Education and Principal Instructor in the Faculty of Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta. With over 15 years of teaching experience, she brings valued knowledge as a literacy and learning specialist. Kristy trains teachers across Alberta on evidence-based literacy instruction and has developed reading intervention programs for both Alberta Education and published research. In addition to these roles, Kristy also sits on the board of directors of the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta and recently published a book with Pearson Education called The Phonics Companion: 120 Lessons for Teachers.
The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum: A Tool for Assessment, Planning and Teaching
You’ve done some assessments and gained some insight into student learning – now what? The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum provides that bridge. In this session, Siobhan will focus on how to use the Literacy Continuum to connect assessment data to instruction as well as monitoring student progress over time. Together we will look at how to use this resource with the new Alberta ELAL curriculum to construct a common vision for student achievement that effectively and efficiently engages all students in the robust, authentic, and meaningful literacy learning every child deserves.
Thursday, February 9 from 12pm-1pm
The Westin & Edmonton Convention Center | Room Details: Strathcona

Siobhan Murphy is the Planning & Implementation Manager for Literacy for Pearson Canada. She has been in the field of education for 20 years, including teaching at the elementary and junior high levels, as a district lead literacy teacher and on secondment at the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium as a literacy consultant. Siobhan is passionate about all things literacy. She completed her Master's degree in education at the University of Alberta focusing her research on assessment for learning in elementary writing.
Using a Digital Library with the New English Language Arts Curriculum
Now that we are back in classrooms learning together again, let's take a look at how we might better use technology to achieve the literacy goals outlined in the new ELAL curriculum. Join Karen Filewych to explore how a digital library can be used in various instructional contexts such as Interactive Read Aloud, Independent Reading, and Shared Reading. We will also explore how digital decodable texts can provide additional opportunities for students to practice their phonics skills. Pearson's Spark Reading will be used to demonstrate these strategies but most are applicable to any digital library.
Thursday, February 9 from 1:15pm-2:15pm
The Westin & Edmonton Convention Center | Room Details: Salon 11

Karen Filewych has over twenty-five years of educational experience as an elementary teacher, school administrator, and language arts consultant. In 2007, she completed her Master of Education degree in the area of literacy. Karen's first book - How Do I Get Them to Write? - was published by Pembroke Publishers in May of 2017. Her second book - Freewriting with Purpose - was published in January of 2019. Both books are practical guides for the teaching of writing and include lists of mentor texts for each area of study. She continues to write and has some exciting projects in the works! Karen also enjoys sharing her love of literacy with teachers and students. Currently working through her own company, she provides professional development for school staffs and writing residencies for students. Subscribe to her blog or visit her website for more information: www.wordschangeworlds.ca
Calgary City Teachers’ Convention
Join Kristy Dunn, MEd., for an insightful and timely discussion about phonics: What is phonics and why is it important? How can I assess my students' phonics knowledge? Why should I follow a scope and sequence? What does explicit teaching look like? Kristy Dunn, along with co-author George Georgiou, have recently published a new book called The Phonics Companion. This includes a Canadian-developed scope and sequence along with 120 phonics lessons. In this session, Kristy will talk about their research and insights for effective teaching and learning of phonics skills.
Thursday, February 16 from 9am-10am
Telus Convention Centre | Room Details: Telus 106

Kristy Dunn is a doctoral candidate in Special Education and Principal Instructor in the Faculty of Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta. With over 15 years of teaching experience, she brings valued knowledge as a literacy and learning specialist. Kristy trains teachers across Alberta on evidence-based literacy instruction and has developed reading intervention programs for both Alberta Education and published research. In addition to these roles, Kristy also sits on the board of directors of the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta and recently published a book with Pearson Education called The Phonics Companion: 120 Lessons for Teachers.
Using the Optional Assessments in the BAS to Identify & Track Student Progress
This session will explore how the Benchmark Assessment System (BAS) connects with the new Alberta ELAL curriculum and complements the recently mandated assessments on word reading skills to provide a full and deep understanding of students' reading abilities and instructional needs. We will delve into the use of the variety of BAS Optional Assessments (Letter Identification, Early Reading Behaviours, Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Word Reading, Word Analysis, Vocabulary) in order to gather information, program plan, reliably identify skill level, and track student progress over time.
Thursday, February 17 from 9am-10am
Telus Convention Centre | Room Details: Glen Room 203

Siobhan Murphy is the Planning & Implementation Manager for Literacy for Pearson Canada. She has been in the field of education for 20 years, including teaching at the elementary and junior high levels, as a district lead literacy teacher and on secondment at the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium as a literacy consultant. Siobhan is passionate about all things literacy. She completed her Master's degree in education at the University of Alberta focusing her research on assessment for learning in elementary writing.
The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum: A Tool for Assessment, Planning and Teaching
You’ve done some assessments and gained some insight into student learning – now what? The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum provides that bridge. In this session, Siobhan will focus on how to use the Literacy Continuum to connect assessment data to instruction as well as monitoring student progress over time. Together we will look at how to use this resource with the new Alberta ELAL curriculum to construct a common vision for student achievement that effectively and efficiently engages all students in the robust, authentic, and meaningful literacy learning every child deserves.
Friday, February 17 from 10:45am-11:45am
Telus Convention Centre | Room Details: Glen Room 203

Siobhan Murphy is the Planning & Implementation Manager for Literacy for Pearson Canada. She has been in the field of education for 20 years, including teaching at the elementary and junior high levels, as a district lead literacy teacher and on secondment at the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium as a literacy consultant. Siobhan is passionate about all things literacy. She completed her Master's degree in education at the University of Alberta focusing her research on assessment for learning in elementary writing.
Using a Digital Library with the New English Language Arts Curriculum
Now that we are back in classrooms learning together again, let's take a look at how we might better use technology to achieve the literacy goals outlined in the new ELAL curriculum. Join Karen Filewych to explore how a digital library can be used in various instructional contexts such as Interactive Read Aloud, Independent Reading, and Shared Reading. We will also explore how digital decodable texts can provide additional opportunities for students to practice their phonics skills. Pearson's Spark Reading will be used to demonstrate these strategies but most are applicable to any digital library.
Thursday, February 16 from 9am-10am
Telus Convention Centre | Room Details: Telus 103

Karen Filewych has over twenty-five years of educational experience as an elementary teacher, school administrator, and language arts consultant. In 2007, she completed her Master of Education degree in the area of literacy. Karen's first book - How Do I Get Them to Write? - was published by Pembroke Publishers in May of 2017. Her second book - Freewriting with Purpose - was published in January of 2019. Both books are practical guides for the teaching of writing and include lists of mentor texts for each area of study. She continues to write and has some exciting projects in the works! Karen also enjoys sharing her love of literacy with teachers and students. Currently working through her own company, she provides professional development for school staffs and writing residencies for students. Subscribe to her blog or visit her website for more information: www.wordschangeworlds.ca
Do the Math: Whole Number & Fraction Interventions
Join us in this interactive session and Do The Math. You will discover support for intervention and classroom activities. An overview of assessments and lessons along a learning trajectory developed by Marilyn Burns will be shared. You will learn about how to support the development of students' whole number and fraction understanding and skills, as it relates to the new curriculum Grades 1-5. Participants will leave with an overview of Do the Math Program by Marilyn Burns and some practical lessons to work with students in their classrooms.
Thursday, February 16 from 10:45am-11:45am
Telus Convention Centre | Room Details: Macleod E3

For over 35 years, Gerry has been a classroom teacher, school and district leader, and tireless advocate for professional learning support. A leader in K-12 Mathematics education, Assessment, and Instructional Design initiatives, Gerry loves working with teachers to make success happen! In his work with Pearson Canada and Marzano Research, in schools and districts across North America, Gerry is an outspoken advocate of lifelong learning. His work in promoting, developing, and sustaining both assessment literacy and instructional fluency among educators is grounded in research, relevance, and relationships—all keys to successful change and growth initiatives.
Palliser District Teachers’ Convention Association
Join Kristy Dunn, MEd., for an insightful and timely discussion about phonics: What is phonics and why is it important? How can I assess my students' phonics knowledge? Why should I follow a scope and sequence? What does explicit teaching look like? Kristy Dunn, along with co-author George Georgiou, have recently published a new book called The Phonics Companion. This includes a Canadian-developed scope and sequence along with 120 phonics lessons. In this session, Kristy will talk about their research and insights for effective teaching and learning of phonics skills.
Friday, February 24 from 11:30am-12:45pm
Telus Convention Centre | Room Details: Macleod Hall E3

Kristy Dunn is a doctoral candidate in Special Education and Principal Instructor in the Faculty of Educational Psychology at the University of Alberta. With over 15 years of teaching experience, she brings valued knowledge as a literacy and learning specialist. Kristy trains teachers across Alberta on evidence-based literacy instruction and has developed reading intervention programs for both Alberta Education and published research. In addition to these roles, Kristy also sits on the board of directors of the Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta and recently published a book with Pearson Education called The Phonics Companion: 120 Lessons for Teachers.
Using the Optional Assessments in the BAS to Identify & Track Student Progress
This session will explore how the Benchmark Assessment System (BAS) connects with the new Alberta ELAL curriculum and complements the recently mandated assessments on word reading skills to provide a full and deep understanding of students' reading abilities and instructional needs. We will delve into the use of the variety of BAS Optional Assessments (Letter Identification, Early Reading Behaviours, Phonemic Awareness, Phonics, Word Reading, Word Analysis, Vocabulary) in order to gather information, program plan, reliably identify skill level, and track student progress over time.
Thursday, February 23 from 11:45am-1pm
Telus Convention Centre | Room Details: Telus 109

Siobhan Murphy is the Planning & Implementation Manager for Literacy for Pearson Canada. She has been in the field of education for 20 years, including teaching at the elementary and junior high levels, as a district lead literacy teacher and on secondment at the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium as a literacy consultant. Siobhan is passionate about all things literacy. She completed her Master's degree in education at the University of Alberta focusing her research on assessment for learning in elementary writing.
The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum: A Tool for Assessment, Planning and Teaching
You’ve done some assessments and gained some insight into student learning – now what? The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum provides that bridge. In this session, Siobhan will focus on how to use the Literacy Continuum to connect assessment data to instruction as well as monitoring student progress over time. Together we will look at how to use this resource with the new Alberta ELAL curriculum to construct a common vision for student achievement that effectively and efficiently engages all students in the robust, authentic, and meaningful literacy learning every child deserves.
Thursday, February 23 from 2:45pm-4pm
Telus Convention Centre | Room Details: Glen Room 203

Siobhan Murphy is the Planning & Implementation Manager for Literacy for Pearson Canada. She has been in the field of education for 20 years, including teaching at the elementary and junior high levels, as a district lead literacy teacher and on secondment at the Edmonton Regional Learning Consortium as a literacy consultant. Siobhan is passionate about all things literacy. She completed her Master's degree in education at the University of Alberta focusing her research on assessment for learning in elementary writing.
Using a Digital Library with the New English Language Arts Curriculum
Now that we are back in classrooms learning together again, let's take a look at how we might better use technology to achieve the literacy goals outlined in the new ELAL curriculum. Join Karen Filewych to explore how a digital library can be used in various instructional contexts such as Interactive Read Aloud, Independent Reading, and Shared Reading. We will also explore how digital decodable texts can provide additional opportunities for students to practice their phonics skills. Pearson's Spark Reading will be used to demonstrate these strategies but most are applicable to any digital library.
Friday, February 24 from 1pm-2:15pm
Telus Convention Centre | Room Details: Telus 105

Karen Filewych has over twenty-five years of educational experience as an elementary teacher, school administrator, and language arts consultant. In 2007, she completed her Master of Education degree in the area of literacy. Karen's first book - How Do I Get Them to Write? - was published by Pembroke Publishers in May of 2017. Her second book - Freewriting with Purpose - was published in January of 2019. Both books are practical guides for the teaching of writing and include lists of mentor texts for each area of study. She continues to write and has some exciting projects in the works! Karen also enjoys sharing her love of literacy with teachers and students. Currently working through her own company, she provides professional development for school staffs and writing residencies for students. Subscribe to her blog or visit her website for more information: www.wordschangeworlds.ca
Do the Math: Whole Number & Fraction Interventions
Join us in this interactive session and Do The Math. You will discover support for intervention and classroom activities. An overview of assessments and lessons along a learning trajectory developed by Marilyn Burns will be shared. You will learn about how to support the development of students' whole number and fraction understanding and skills, as it relates to the new curriculum Grades 1-5. Participants will leave with an overview of Do the Math Program by Marilyn Burns and some practical lessons to work with students in their classrooms.
Friday, February 24 from 1pm-2:15pm
Telus Convention Centre | Room Details: Glen 205

For over 35 years, Gerry has been a classroom teacher, school and district leader, and tireless advocate for professional learning support. A leader in K-12 Mathematics education, Assessment, and Instructional Design initiatives, Gerry loves working with teachers to make success happen! In his work with Pearson Canada and Marzano Research, in schools and districts across North America, Gerry is an outspoken advocate of lifelong learning. His work in promoting, developing, and sustaining both assessment literacy and instructional fluency among educators is grounded in research, relevance, and relationships—all keys to successful change and growth initiatives.
Greater Edmonton Teachers' Convention Association
Do the Math: Whole Number & Fraction Interventions
Join us in this interactive session and Do The Math. You will discover support for intervention and classroom activities. An overview of assessments and lessons along a learning trajectory developed by Marilyn Burns will be shared. You will learn about how to support the development of students' whole number and fraction understanding and skills, as it relates to the new curriculum Grades 1-5. Participants will leave with an overview of Do the Math Program by Marilyn Burns and some practical lessons to work with students in their classrooms.
Friday, March 3 from 2:15pm-3:15pm
The Westin Edmonton Hotel | Room Details: Centennial Room

For over 35 years, Gerry has been a classroom teacher, school and district leader, and tireless advocate for professional learning support. A leader in K-12 Mathematics education, Assessment, and Instructional Design initiatives, Gerry loves working with teachers to make success happen! In his work with Pearson Canada and Marzano Research, in schools and districts across North America, Gerry is an outspoken advocate of lifelong learning. His work in promoting, developing, and sustaining both assessment literacy and instructional fluency among educators is grounded in research, relevance, and relationships—all keys to successful change and growth initiatives.
Attending ATAs? Have any questions about Pearson resources? Contact us!
District Level Solutions: Crystal Dahl, Account Executive
crystal.dahl@pearson.com (780) 862-9508
School Level Solutions: Lisa Vant, K12 Alberta Sales Team
lisa.vant@pearsoned.com 1-855-227-7716
