Reading/Language Arts Workshops

• October 5, 2021 (8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.)
• October 16, 2021 (8:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.)

New (Nearly New) Teacher Collaborative:

Honoring Choice and Valuing Voice

4-Day Virtual Workshop begins October 21, 2021

The first years as a new or “nearly” new teacher are always challenging. This collaborative combines research and practical essential techniques to help new and “nearly” new teachers develop valuable skills, knowledge and strategies for a successful start to a long, inspiring career. The New (Nearly Near) Collaborative is a highly participatory series that provides year-long professional development through four half days of virtual sessions, three one hour PLCs, and individual instructional coaching customized to meet the instructional needs of the teacher.

Developed specifically for Elementary Language Arts teachers, discussion topics for this workshop will include:
• CRT
• Diverse Instruction/Teaching All Students
• Supporting Special Student Populations
• Data Driven instruction (Using formal/informal assessment data to improve decision making)
• Deconstructing the Standards
• Understanding School Culture
• Classroom Management
• Managing the Classroom Demands and Students
• Lesson Planning
• Understanding the RLA Curriculum
• Learning Strategies

Learn more and register here.

Writing, Writing Everywhere!

October 9, 2021  |  Time: 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.

Are you struggling to find energizing ideas to add to your reading writing toolbox that will work for both virtual and face-to-face instruction? Do you need to strengthen the reading-writing connect for all learners? Participants will deep dive into essential components that bridge reading and writing in the classroom. Explore interactive approaches/techniques that allow teachers and students to collaborate during the reading and writing process while improving literacy skills for learners. Learn more and register here.

Are you struggling with getting your students to respond to questions during class? Explore how to create a culture of questioning during classroom discussions that will capture all students. Participants will examine current research-based questioning practices for teachers to use in an effort to improve student achievement. This session will provide questioning techniques as a form of differentiated instruction to reach all types of learners and tools for encouraging students to ask and answer more questions. Learn more and register here.

CIRCLE: Two-Day Preschool Early Language and Literacy Including Mathematics

October 14–15, 2021  |  Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  (Face-to-Face Workshop)
Participate in the Early Language and Literacy training developed by the Children's Learning Institute, University of Texas Medical School in Houston. This training is based on recent scientific research, is interactive and provides hands-on activities which prekindergarten teachers can immediately implement in their classrooms.

Each participant receives a manual containing resources that will help promote early language and early literacy development as well as mathematic skill development in young children. Training includes the following topics: Best Practices, Social Emotional Development, Phonological Awareness, Written Expression, Language Development, Book Reading, Letter Knowledge, and Mathematics. Learn more and register here.

Learn strategies to help students explore, identify, and analyze elements of author's craft in informational and persuasive texts. Participants will learn a structured, scaffolded approach to examine the impact that diction and rhetorical devices have on the meaning of texts. Explicit connections to the newly-adopted English Language Arts TEKS will be made and suggestions for enhancing virtual learning will be explored. Learn more and register here.

Questioning and Responding to Informational Texts--A TEKS-Based Approach

November 11, 2021  | 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (Virtual Session)
Learn strategies to help students develop focused, thoughtful questions about informational/expository texts as they read. This approach helps students process, understand, and retain ideas and information, thereby boosting comprehension. Explicit connections to the newly-adopted English Language Arts TEKS will be made and suggestions for enhancing virtual learning will be explored.  Learn more and register here.

Uncovering Themes and Deeper Meanings of Narrative Text--A TEKS-Based Approach

November 30, 2021  | 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (Virtual Session)

Learn strategies to help students uncover the deeper meanings of narrative texts. Participants will learn a structured, scaffolded approach to identity and analyze theme based on text evidence. Explicit connections to the newly-adopted English Language Arts TEKS will be made and suggestions for enhancing virtual learning will be explored. Learn more and register here.

Adding Depth to Writing for ELAR STAAR/EOC Success

January 19, 2022  | 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (Virtual Session)
Language Arts teachers often point out that their students write in a superficial manner, rendering their writing unengaging and their ideas undeveloped. In this session, participants will learn a highly structured, scaffolded approach to creating depth in expository and persuasive/argumentative writing while simultaneously making explicit connections to the ELAR STAAR/EOC writing rubrics.  Learn more and register here.

Increasing Coherency of Expository, Persuasive, and Argumentative Writing for STAAR

January 25, 2022  | 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (Virtual Session)
Almost every aspect of writing is linked directly or indirectly to coherence. Without coherency, writing wanders off topic, fails to develop central ideas, and often confuses or disappointing the reader. In this informative session, participates will learn specific techniques to ensure their students write in a connected, focused, coherent manner.  Learn more and register here.

STAAR Blitz-Preparing for the Reading STAAR/EOC

February 15, 2022  | 1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (Virtual Session)

Although “teaching to the test” is counterproductive, teaching with the test in mind is helpful. In this session, participants will learn how to address the critical thinking and metacognitive knowledge and skills students need to be successful on the STAAR/EOC Reading assessment. Give your students the support and review they need going into the final weeks before the test so they feel prepared and confident. Learn more and register here.