Teachers will explore how to move beyond memorization of vocabulary words using various strategies to incorporate vocabulary usage in meaningful ways across the subjects.
Discover practical and meaningful ways to use formative assessment in the elementary classroom to drive student learning and engagement. This session will explore strategies for checking understanding, providing timely feedback, and using data to adjust instruction in real time. Participants will leave with ready-to-use ideas and tools that support student growth, encourage active learning, and help make instruction more responsive and effective across content areas
Discover practical and meaningful ways to use formative assessment in the elementary classroom to drive student learning and engagement. This session will explore strategies for checking understanding, providing timely feedback, and using data to adjust instruction in real time. Participants will leave with ready-to-use ideas and tools that support student growth, encourage active learning, and help make instruction more responsive and effective across content areas
Strong family partnerships are essential to student success, yet many teachers feel unsure about how to communicate academic progress and concerns clearly and confidently. This interactive session will provide elementary educators with practical strategies for building positive relationships with families and communicating student needs in a clear, supportive, and parent-friendly way. Participants will learn a simple framework for sharing strengths, concerns, and next steps, along with strategies for explaining academic data, navigating difficult conversations, and providing families with meaningful ways to support learning at home. Through collaboration and practice, teachers will leave with ready-to-use tools that can be implemented immediately to strengthen school–home communication and support student growth.
We will reflect on successes and challenges from the Arts and Letters pilot. Our focus will be on the successes, challenges, and navigating through the resources.
This professional development will explore what a high-quality elementary literacy block should include to ensure strong core instruction plus additional support for all students. Participants will examine key components such as data-driven decision making, whole group instruction, small group and partner reading, and gradual release of responsibility. The session will also cover focused skill instruction, word study, oral language development, and daily writing, providing teachers with strategies to maximize student engagement and literacy growth. If time permits, participants can discuss needs within their classroom with district reading specialists (resources and professional development).
