For more information about professional development, or to arrange customized training, e-mail reading@esc4.net.
To see a listing of our current Elementary On-Demand opportunities, click here.
Exploring the Revised Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines 2022
The Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines 2015 have been revised by educators across Texas and the Texas Education Agency. Together, they looked at scientific research for child development to update information and align the revised Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines 2023 to the Texas Essential Skills and Knowledge (TEKS) for K-12. The guidelines define ten domains of early childhood development and provide behaviors and skills in each domain that children should exhibit by the end of prekindergarten. In this session, we will explore the revised guidelines and examine the skills for both PK3s and PK4s. Participants will discuss the learning domains and the expected rigor of skills, as well as receive instructional strategies to support student success.
Writing, Writing Everywhere!
June 8, 2023 | 8:30 a.m.– 11:30 a.m. (Virtual Zoom Session)
Emergent writing skills are an important part of the Early Childhood Classroom. Research suggests that adult modeling and guidance on how and when to apply writing skills is critical for future academic success. Participants will discuss the stages of writing development, learn how to embed writing in literacy centers, and incorporate writing in the classroom every day. Modeled Writing, Shared Writing, and bookmaking strategies and techniques will be presented. Bookmaking is a wonderful way to show students the reciprocity of reading and writing and an excellent tool to encourage students to write. Learn more and register here.
Fonología todos los días en preescolar
Actividades para el desarrollo de habilidades fonológicas
El desarrollo de la conciencia fonológica ha sido relacionado en muchos estudios como un factor influyente en el desarrollo de habilidades de lectoescritura. En este taller repasaremos el continuo de adquisición de habilidades de conciencia fonológica y compartiremos actividades correspondientes a cada etapa para la enseñanza y evaluación de estas habilidades. Obtenga más información y regístrese aquí.
Let Us Play! Learning through Play in Early Childhood
June 17, 2023 | 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Virtual Zoom Session)
Play-based activities provide the opportunity for young children to discover and make sense of their world, expand their ideas, and practice and learn new concepts and skills. The benefits of learning through play go beyond social and emotional development.
In this session, we will discuss some of the theories supporting learning through play and the benefits of structured and unstructured play in preschool. We will share ideas for teaching and assessing early literacy skills such as letter recognition, oral language development, writing, and story retelling. Learn more and register here.
Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Classrooms
June 22, 2023 | 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (Virtual Zoom Session)
Developmentally appropriate practice means providing a joyful, engaging, play based environment for the Early Childhood Classrooms in Prekindergarten and Kindergarten. It is essential that students feel safe in order to use their natural curiosity to explore the world around them, take risks learning oral language, and enjoy learning through hands on experiences. Providing opportunities for families to participate in the classroom is also important. This session will review the latest research on developmentally appropriate practices and student learning. Learn more and register here.
The Science of Teaching Reading for All Educators
Three-Day Blended Session begins July 12, 2023
Circle Pre-K Foundations Training
July 19, 2023 | 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Virtual Zoom Session)
The CIRCLE Pre-K Foundations Training provides a comprehensive look at prekindergarten instruction to support kindergarten readiness. This 7-module training was developed to target key areas of prekindergarten learning and instruction. Across the 7 modules, teachers will experience multiple demonstration lessons and will have numerous opportunities to practice lessons and activities which can be immediately implemented in the classroom. Modules include; Best Practices, Mathematics, Phonological Awareness, Alphabet Knowledge, Language Development, Book Reading, and Written Expression. Learn more and register here.

Developing Critical Reading Skills to Support STAAR Success in 3rd through 5th Grade
July 19, 2023 | 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Virtual Zoom Session)
The new items on STAAR require students to answer and respond to text-dependent questions. Learn the four cognitive pathways needed to critically understand a piece of text, and how to organize lessons that support deeper comprehension. See how this instruction promotes student success on the new STAAR through engaging in authentic daily reading instruction. Learn more and register here.
Using the Science of Teaching Reading in Guided Reading
July 26, 2023 | 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Virtual Zoom Session)
Build your student's ability to process increasingly challenging texts with fluency and understanding. This training will cover using data to form small groups and to identify the instructional focus for each group. We will focus on a guided reading framework, identify how to address each of the components of reading with the framework to meet students' needs, and plan using a guided reading lesson planning template. Learn more and register here.
Using the Gradual Release of Responsibility in the Literacy Classroom to Improve Instruction and Student Achievement
August 23, 2023 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Virtual Zoom Session)
In this session, participants will review the components of the Gradual Release of Responsibility framework in the literacy classroom. Participants will learn effective instructional strategies for modeling, guided practice, and independent practice in all areas of literacy instruction, including reading, word study, revising and editing, and writing. Learn more and register here.