Those interested in attending the Eastern Reading Council’s 37th Annual Reading Conference, “Writing, the Wiggly Wobbly Way,” should register as soon as possible.

The conference will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

“The purpose is for teachers to have the opportunity to learn something new and grow,” said Tim Croy, assistant professor of education.

Lester Laminack, author and chair of the elementary and middle level education department at Western Carolina University in North Carolina, will deliver the keynote message, Croy said.

“He’s written several books for teachers and also children’s books,” he said. Laminack also will be available for book signings, Croy said.

Book exhibits and a variety of break-out sessions will be offered throughout the day, Croy said. “Most of them will be pertaining to the teaching of reading.”

Subjects covered include: mathematics, using the new Booth Library, the “Four Blocks” framework, comic books, morality, teaching unmotivated students, home school, classroom “learning centers,” spelling, technology, the ISBE Reading Initiative and others, Croy said.

Croy recommended that all teachers and future teachers attend the conference, as well as everyone interested in the subject of reading.

The sessions cover topics useful for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, he said. “Administrators might find some of this interesting as well.”

The cost of the conference is $4 for council members, $2 for students and $5 for the general public.