Teaching Primary Grade Math Problem-Solving Skills Grades K-2

Teaching Critical Social-Emotional (SEL) Skills Using Picture Books Grades PreK-3

This online course for teachers provides the perfect approach by using high-quality picture books to deal with a variety of SEL issues from separation anxiety, kindness, and tattling, to poverty and homelessness, divorce, anger management, childhood health and obesity, teasing and bullying, and others. Teachers will be provided with thorough background information on each topic as well as the implications for the classroom environment and teaching. Then, each topic shares three authentic children’s books, together with lessons for each title. The course introduces lesson plans for forty-seven picture books. An additional list of picture books is shared for every single social-emotional topic presented in the course, as well as links to additional resources, as applicable.

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Targeted Instruction and Interventions with Reading Strategy Groups Grades K-5

This online course for teachers begins by discussing the elements and benefits of reading strategy groups. Since strategy groups are based on assessment, the course delves into a variety of assessment types and approaches. Throughout the course, teachers learn how to use research-based best practices to choose strategies, books, and activities for before, during, and after reading. Teachers will also learn specific reading strategies for working with English language learners and those who struggle with reading. Teachers will learn how to build students’ stamina and engagement as they work to become successful, independent readers. Teachers will learn the importance of relying on the science of reading as they work with their students across all areas of reading.

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Study Smarter Not Harder: Study Skills for Students Grades 4-12

This online course for teachers is designed to provide educators in grades 4-12 with the necessary tools to help students improve their study skills, not by working harder, but by working smarter. Throughout the course, teachers will gain valuable insights into helping their students set and track S.M.A.R.T. goals as they work to become active participants in the learning process. Teachers will be taken through the problem-solving process as they learn how to help their students apply their metacognitive skills so that they become more adept at studying. Teachers will learn specific techniques to help students stay organized (including space, time, and process). Teachers will be introduced to multiple techniques, ideas, and resources to help students learn how to ask questions, dissect different types of text, and understand text structures and features, all of which are geared toward helping them develop their study skills. Teachers will take a deep dive into specific study strategies for reading and vocabulary, and they will explore a variety of additional study techniques that can be applied to any content area across grades 4-12. Teachers will also learn several tips and tricks for helping their students master the art of taking tests, making them prepared and confident once test day arrives. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will feel more confident and successful in their quest to prepare their students for the future by working smarter, not harder.

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The Science of Reading Grades K-5

This online course for teachers provides K-5 educators with the perfect tools to approach reading instruction using best practices, with readers specifically putting five areas of focus together (phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension) in order to become successful readers. Teachers will be provided with thorough background information and research-based support for each component of reading, as backed by reading science. As they progress through this course, teachers will be introduced to a variety of best practices as they relate to the teaching and learning of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and reading comprehension. Teachers will add many tools to their already-existing schemas to help students who struggle in any of these five areas of reading. Additionally, effective research-based strategies for working with students who are learning English as an additional language and students with dyslexia are also shared.

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Reading Workshop Approach in the Middle Grades Grades 4-8

This online course for teachers begins by establishing the foundations of implementing a reader’s workshop approach in your classroom. Then, commonly used and easy to administer assessment options are provided that can help teachers build group reading profiles. Once groups are established, teachers learn how to choose appropriate leveled books, how to help students set realistic goals, and how to confer with students about skills and strategies for independent growth to achieve maximum results. Teachers will also learn how to create learning stations that allow students some voice and choice. Suggestions for motivating students including creating book talks are shared. Differentiation strategies are also provided so that teachers may reach students at all skill levels. There is also an emphasis on management and routines to help the reader’s workshop run effectively and efficiently.

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Reading to Learn: Developing Strategic Reading Skills Grades 4-12

This online course for teachers focuses on helping educators in grades 4-12 work with students on key reading skills. Teachers will learn how to develop active instructional strategies that facilitate student acquisition and development of standards-based reading skills in a variety of disciplines. Emphasis is on vocabulary development and comprehension strategies and specific strategies such as DRTA, using word roots, and effective graphic organizers are shared. However, for students who struggle, word attack strategies are provided. Issues with fluency are also explored as well as the importance of reading aloud to help build fluency. Teachers will also understand the importance of teaching students the features of text structure as students move from reading primarily narrative text to more expository text. Teachers will learn how to create text-dependent questions to help students develop close reading skills. Teachers will also learn how to establish guided reading groups to further develop their students’ close reading skills. Finally, assessment options for tracking reading skills and improvement will also be explored.

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Reading Interventions for Middle School Students Grades 6-8

This online course for teachers is designed for educators who work with readers in grades 6-8 who are one to four years behind the appropriate reading level. The course materials are based on current best-practices research on helping students with reading difficulties. Topics addressed in the course include assessment and diagnosis of reading difficulties, differentiation strategies, fluency skills, vocabulary development, and cognitive reading strategies. Key comprehension strategies such as how to summarize and infer are presented along with fix-it strategies students can use when they begin to struggle. Specific vocabulary topics presented include the three tiers of words, self-collection, using context clues, and the importance of direct instruction. Teachers will also learn how to develop individual reading profiles and reading plans based on assessment data. Finally, teachers will learn how to best select appropriate reading materials for those who struggle.

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Reading Foundations for Emergent and Early Readers Grades PreK-2

Reading Fluency: The Bridge Between Phonics and Comprehension Grades K-5